Joel יוֹאֵל
An Israelite who married a foreign woman during the Exile
Who is Joel in the Bible?
Joel was an Israelite mentioned in Ezra 10:43 who had married a foreign woman during the Babylonian exile. After the exiles returned to Jerusalem under Ezra's leadership, it was discovered that many Israelites, including priests and Levites, had intermarried with neighboring peoples in violation of God's command to maintain their holiness. When Ezra called an assembly to address this issue, the people confessed their sin, and Joel was among those who pledged to put away their foreign wives and children. His inclusion in this list demonstrates his participation in the community's effort to restore obedience to God's covenant requirements during the post-exilic restoration of Jerusalem.
Biography
Joel is briefly mentioned in Ezr.10.43 as one of the Israelites who had married foreign women during the Babylonian exile. After the return of the exiles to Jerusalem under the leadership of Ezra, it was discovered that many Israelites, including priests and Levites, had intermarried with the neighboring peoples. This was in violation of God's command to maintain their holiness and avoid the pagan practices of the surrounding nations. Ezra called for a assembly, where the people confessed their sin and pledged to put away their foreign wives and children. Joel is listed among those who had taken this step of obedience in response to Ezra's reforms.
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."
Study Ezra →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | יוֹאֵל | Joel , the name of twelve Israelites |