Israelite who married a foreign wife during Ezra's time
Chelal
Named in 1 verse of Ezra, first in Ezra 10:30.
כְּלָ֑לChelal
The name means “as night.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
About Chelal Written by AI
Chelal is mentioned in Ezra 10:30 as one of the Israelites who had married foreign women during the time of Ezra. After the return from Babylonian exile, Ezra discovered that many of the Israelites, including priests and Levites, had intermarried with the neighboring peoples, contrary to God's commands (Ezra 9:1 to 2). This intermarriage was seen as a violation of the covenant and a threat to the spiritual purity of the nation. Ezra called for a national assembly, where the people confessed their sin and agreed to separate from their foreign wives (Ezra 10:10 to 12). Chelal was among those who had taken foreign wives and pledged to put them away, demonstrating repentance and a commitment to obey God's laws. The inclusion of Chelal's name in this account highlights the importance of maintaining spiritual purity and the need for individuals to take responsibility for their actions in light of God's covenant with His people.
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Where the Bible names him
- Ezra 10:30
From the descendants of Pahath-moab: Adna, Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, Binnui, and Manasseh.
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.