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Ezra 10:23 says, And of the singers there was Eliashib; and of the gatekeepers: Shallum, Telem and Uri (v. 23). This reveals a crucial detail in the ongoing list of individuals among Israel’s community who had chosen to enter into unauthorized marriages. The listing of singers and gatekeepers underscores the broad sweep of this issue, showing that even those responsible for specific functions in temple worship were affected. During the time of Ezra many of the people who had returned from exile in Babylon discovered their personal lives were in conflict with God’s clear instructions given through Moses. The claim here is solemn yet corrective, pointing to the gravity of restoring right relationships within the worship of God’s people.
These men, Eliashib, along with Shallum, Telem, and Uri, would have carried out vital roles in the life of Jerusalem’s sacred rites. Singers contributed a key component of worship, leading the community in praise. Gatekeepers, meanwhile, maintained order and security at the temple entrances, which were strategically important in the city of Jerusalem, located in the rugged hills of Judah. Jerusalem itself, lying at an elevated position, had been at the heart and center of the people’s devotion since the days of King David, who reigns are often dated between 1010-970 BC. By the time of Ezra’s ministry, the temple had been rebuilt under the leadership of Zerubbabel, and it was paramount that its functions be restored in holiness.
Historically, the names provided, Eliashib, Shallum, Telem, and Uri, also serve as a testament to how meticulous Ezra was in chronicling each violation. His careful recordkeeping shows a loving but firm pursuit of obedience, reminding readers that every individual matters when it comes to turning back to God. Rather than excluding any group, the command to repent and put away wrongful practices encompassed all, from the highest-ranking priest to the trusted gatekeeper and devoted singer, ensuring moral integrity across Israel’s communal worship.
Used with permission from TheBibleSays.com.
You can access the original article here.
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