Jarib יָרִיב

Male H3402H 1 book

Priest who married a foreign woman

Who is Jarib in the Bible?

Jarib was a priest who married a foreign woman during the time of Ezra's return from Babylonian exile, as recorded in Ezra 10:18. After the Jewish people returned to Jerusalem, Ezra discovered that many Israelites, including priests and Levites, had intermarried with pagan peoples of the land, which violated God's command to maintain their separation and holiness. When confronted about this violation, Jarib and other priests who had taken foreign wives pledged to put them away as part of a covenant renewal ceremony. His inclusion in this account illustrates the spiritual struggle of the restored community to remain faithful to God's laws during a critical period of Jewish restoration.

Biography

Jarib is mentioned in Ezr.10.18 as one of the priests who had married foreign women during the time of Ezra. After the return from the Babylonian exile, Ezra discovered that many Israelites, including priests and Levites, had intermarried with the pagan peoples of the land. This was a violation of God's command to maintain their holiness and avoid the idolatrous practices of the surrounding nations. Ezra called for a solemn assembly, during which the people confessed their sin and agreed to separate from their foreign wives. Jarib is listed among the priests who had married foreign women and pledged to put them away. The text does not provide any further details about Jarib's life or the specific circumstances of his marriage. However, his inclusion in this list serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining purity and obedience to God's commands, even for those in positions of spiritual leadership.

In Scripture

1 biblical book ; 1 with study content
Ezra 1 verse
  • Ezra 10:18

    "Among the descendants of the priests who had married foreign women were found these descendants of Jeshua son of Jozadak and his brothers: Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, and Gedaliah."

    Study Ezra →

Names & Aliases

Form Language Script
Named Hebrew יָרִיב
Encyclopedia Article

Jarib

ISBE 1915 (Public Domain)

(2)In Ezr 8:16, one of the "chief men" for whom Ezra sent, and dispatched by him to Casiphia to fetch ministers for God's house = "Joribus" (1 Esdras 8:44).

(3) In Ezr 10:18, a priest who had married a foreign wife = "Joribus" (1 Esdras 9:19).

jar'-i-moth (Iarimoth): 1 Esdras 9:28; called "Jeremoth" in Ezr 10:27.

(1) A city of the Canaanites in the S