Jehiel יְחִיאֵל
Israelite who married a foreign woman during the Exile
Who is Jehiel in the Bible?
Jehiel was an Israelite descendant of Elam who lived during the Babylonian exile and is mentioned in Ezra 10:26. He had married a foreign woman, which violated the Law of Moses, but when the priest Ezra called for repentance and reform among the returned exiles, Jehiel agreed to put away his foreign wife and children. His inclusion in Ezra's list of names demonstrates the widespread practice of intermarriage during the exile and the community's willingness to restore obedience to God's covenant law through radical acts of separation.
Biography
Jehiel, one of the descendants of Elam, is mentioned in Ezr.10.26 among the Israelites who had married foreign women during the Babylonian exile. This chapter lists the names of the men who had taken foreign wives, including representatives from various families and clans. Jehiel's inclusion in this list suggests that he, like many others, had married a woman from one of the surrounding nations, which was contrary to the Law of Moses. In response to Ezra's call for repentance and reform, these men agreed to put away their foreign wives and children, demonstrating their willingness to follow Ezra's leadership and to restore their obedience to God's law. The text does not provide any further details about Jehiel's life or his role in the community.
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentEzra 1 verse
- Ezra 10:26
"From the descendants of Elam: Mattaniah, Zechariah, Jehiel, Abdi, Jeremoth, and Elijah."
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | יְחִיאֵל |