Definition: And among the sons of the priests there were found that had taken strange wives: [namely], of the sons of Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren; Maaseiah, and Eliezer, and Jarib, and Gedaliah.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezra 10:18. It's a really important and somewhat unsettling passage in the Bible. Here’s what it means in plain terms: The Basic Story: This verse describes a situation that happened during a time of rebuilding and purification in ancient Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. Basically, there were some people who had engaged in a forbidden relationship – they were having relationships with women who weren't Jewish. Let’s unpack it layer by layer: “And among the sons of the priests…” : This refers to the Jewish priestly class, specifically the men who held positions of power and authority within the temple. “…there were found that had taken strange wives:” : This is the key part. It means these individuals had engaged in a relationship with women outside of the established Jewish community – they were having relationships with women who weren’t members of their own family or religious group. These relationships were considered scandalous and a violation of Jewish law. "[namely], of the sons of Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren:” : This identifies who these people are. They are descendants of a man named Jeshua (named after a significant figure in the Old Testament). He was a priest who was involved in this forbidden relationship. "His brethren" means his family members. “Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, Gedaliah:” : This names specific individuals who were part of this group. These are named as men who participated in the forbidden relationships. What’s the Significance? This verse is a sobering reminder of how easily people could stray from God's law and become disconnected from his community. It highlights a period of crisis and moral failings within the Jewish people. Important Note: The Bible doesn't explicitly say why these relationships were happening – it’s a mystery. But it shows that even within a religious community, human weakness and temptation can lead to serious consequences. In short, this verse tells us about a group of men who broke God's rules by having relationships with women outside their Jewish community, and it’s a reminder of the importance of staying connected to our faith. --- Would you like me to: Explain any specific part in more detail? Connect this verse to a broader theme in biblical history (like exile or repentance)?