Jehohanan יְהוֹחָנָן
Israelite who married a foreign woman during the Exile
Who is Jehohanan in the Bible?
Jehohanan was an Israelite descendant of Bebai who married a foreign woman during the Babylonian Exile, as recorded in Ezra 10:28. His name appears in a list of men who had violated the Law of Moses by taking non-Israelite wives while the Jewish people were in captivity. When Ezra called for religious reform and repentance upon the return from exile, Jehohanan joined other men in pledging to put away his foreign wife and children. His example illustrates the struggle the Jewish community faced in maintaining its religious identity and covenant obligations during and after the exile, as well as the serious response required to restore obedience to God's law.
Biography
Jehohanan is mentioned in Ezr.10.28 as one of the descendants of Bebai 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. Jehohanan'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 pledged 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 Jehohanan's life or his role in the community.
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentEzra 1 verse
- Ezra 10:28
"From the descendants of Bebai: Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai."
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | יְהוֹחָנָן |