Benaiah בְּנָיָ֫הוּ
An Israelite who married a foreign woman during the Exile.
Who is Benaiah in the Bible?
Benaiah was an Israelite from the descendants of Nebo who married a foreign woman during the Babylonian Exile (Ezra 10:43). He is mentioned in the context of Ezra's religious reform, which sought to address intermarriage between the returned exiles and surrounding nations. The inclusion of Benaiah's name among those who had taken foreign wives demonstrates his participation in a practice that Jewish leaders considered a violation of God's law and a threat to the spiritual purity of the community. His story illustrates the tension faced by exiled Israelites upon their return to Judah, highlighting the challenges of maintaining religious identity and covenantal faithfulness in a foreign land.
Biography
Benaiah is mentioned in Ezr.10.43 as one of the men from the descendants of Nebo who had married foreign women during the Babylonian Exile. The context of the passage is Ezra's reform, which addressed the issue of intermarriage between the returned exiles and the surrounding nations. This practice was seen as a violation of God's law and a threat to the spiritual purity of the community. Ezra called for the people to confess their sin and separate themselves from their foreign wives and children. Benaiah is listed among those who had taken foreign wives, indicating his involvement in this practice.
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentEzra 1 verse
- Ezra 10:43
"And from the descendants of Nebo: Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jaddai, Joel, and Benaiah."
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | בְּנָיָ֫הוּ |