Shimei שִׁמְעִי
Israelite who married a foreign wife during the exile.
Who is Shimei in the Bible?
Shimei was an Israelite mentioned in Ezra 10:33 who had married a foreign woman during the Babylonian exile. After the return to Jerusalem, when Ezra implemented religious reforms to preserve the nation's spiritual purity, Shimei was identified as one of those who had taken a foreign wife and agreed to send her away. His willingness to comply with Ezra's directive demonstrated his commitment to restoring Israel's covenant relationship with God and maintaining the religious identity of the Jewish community during this critical period of restoration.
Biography
Shimei is mentioned in Ezr.10.33 as one of the Israelites who had married foreign women during the Babylonian exile. After the return to Jerusalem, Ezra the scribe led a religious reform that required the Israelites to separate themselves from their foreign wives to maintain the purity of the nation. Shimei, along with several other Israelites, was found to have married a foreign woman. As part of the reform, Shimei agreed to send away his foreign wife, demonstrating his commitment to following God's law and maintaining the religious and cultural identity of the Israelites.
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentEzra 1 verse
- Ezra 10:33
"From the descendants of Hashum: Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Shimei."
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | שִׁמְעִי | Shimi , the name of twenty Israelites |