Shimei שִׁמְעִי
Israelite who married a foreign wife during the exile.
Who is Shimei in the Bible?
Shimei was an Israelite who had married a foreign wife during the Babylonian exile and is mentioned in Ezra 10:38 as one of those who participated in Ezra's religious reform upon the return to Jerusalem. After the exile, the scribe Ezra implemented strict measures to preserve the religious and cultural identity of Israel by requiring Israelites to separate from their foreign wives. Shimei, along with many others, agreed to send away his foreign wife in compliance with this reform. His willingness to obey Ezra's command demonstrates the commitment some Israelites made to maintaining the purity of their community and adherence to God's law during this critical period of restoration.
Biography
Shimei is mentioned in Ezr.10.38 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 10:38
"From the descendants of Binnui: Shimei,"
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | שִׁמְעִי | Shimi , the name of twenty Israelites |