Jozabad יוֹזָבָד
A priest who married a foreign woman
Who is Jozabad in the Bible?
Jozabad was a priest during the post-exilic period who had married a foreign woman in violation of Jewish law (Ezra 10:22). When Ezra learned of the widespread intermarriage between Israelites and surrounding pagan peoples, he called the people to repentance and led them in making a covenant to dissolve these unions. Jozabad was among the priests listed as agreeing to send away his foreign wife as part of this reform effort. His case illustrates the tension the returning Jewish community faced in re-establishing their religious identity and maintaining covenant faithfulness after the Babylonian exile.
Biography
Jozabad is mentioned in Ezr.10.22 as one of the priests who had married foreign women during the post-exilic period. The context of the passage is Ezra's reforms and the issue of intermarriage between the Israelites and the pagan peoples of the land (Ezra 9-10).
Upon learning of the widespread intermarriage, Ezra led the people in confession and repentance (Ezr.9.1-10:4). The Israelites made a covenant to put away their foreign wives and children (Ezr.10.5). Jozabad is listed among the priests who had married foreign women and agreed to send them away (Ezr.10.18-22).
This event highlights the importance of maintaining religious and cultural purity among the Israelites, especially in the post-exilic period when they were re-establishing their identity and covenant relationship with God.
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentEzra 1 verse
- Ezra 10:22
"From the descendants of Pashhur: Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethanel, Jozabad, and Elasah."
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | יוֹזָבָד |