Benjamin בִּנְיָמִין
Israelite who divorced his foreign wife
Who is Benjamin in the Bible?
Benjamin was an Israelite who divorced his foreign wife during Ezra's religious reforms in the fifth century BC (Ezra 10:32). When Ezra led efforts to restore obedience to God's law and purify the Jewish community, he required those who had married foreign women to separate from them. Benjamin complied with this directive, demonstrating his commitment to his faith even at great personal cost. His action, along with that of many others, was considered essential to preserving the religious and cultural identity of the Jewish people during a critical period of restoration and spiritual renewal.
Biography
This Benjamin was an Israelite who had married a foreign woman during the time of Ezra. As part of Ezra's reforms to purify the Jewish community and restore obedience to God's law, those who had married foreign wives were required to divorce them (Ezr. 10:32). Benjamin was among those who complied with this directive, demonstrating his willingness to prioritize his faith and obedience to God over his personal relationships. This act of separation from foreign influences was seen as necessary to preserve the religious and cultural identity of the Jewish people.
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentEzra 1 verse
- Ezra 10:32
"Benjamin, Malluch, and Shemariah."
Study Ezra →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | בִּנְיָמִין | binĕyāmiyn | Binjamin , youngest son of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory |