Binnui, Son of Pahath-moab
A descendant of Pahath-moab who participated in the post-exilic reformation by putting away his foreign wife in Jerusalem.
Binnui, a descendant of Pahath-moab, was an Israelite who returned from the Babylonian exile during the Persian period. He is mentioned specifically within the genealogical records of the book of Ezra, appearing in the context of the spiritual and social reforms initiated by the priest Ezra around 458 BC.
His historical significance is tied to the movement of national repentance following the return of the Jewish remnant to Judah. Along with several other men of his lineage, Binnui was identified as having married a foreign woman, a practice that was considered a violation of the Mosaic Law at the time, leading to his inclusion in the formal list of those who agreed to dissolve these marriages to preserve the purity of the community.
Background and Family
Binnui is identified as a member of the family of Pahath-moab. The name Pahath-moab translates roughly to "Governor of Moab," suggesting that his ancestors may have held administrative authority over Moabite territory during the Davidic or Solomonic empires, or perhaps during the early days of the Babylonian hegemony. By the time of the return from exile, the sons of Pahath-moab represented a significant and numerous clan among the returning Jews. According to the census in Ezra 2:6, this family was one of the largest groups to return with Zerubbabel, totaling 2,812 individuals. Binnui stands as one of the specific representatives of this large family during the subsequent generation of Ezra.
Major Life Events
The only recorded event in the life of this Binnui occurs in Ezra 10. Following Ezra’s arrival in Jerusalem, he was devastated to learn that the returning exiles—including priests, Levites, and laypeople—had intermarried with the surrounding Canaanite, Hittite, and Moabite populations. Ezra’s public display of grief led to a national assembly where the people confessed their unfaithfulness to God.
Binnui is listed in Ezra 10:30 as one of the eight men from the line of Pahath-moab who had taken foreign wives. In obedience to the covenant proposed by Shecaniah and enforced by Ezra, Binnui and his kinsmen (Adna, Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, and Manasseh) agreed to put away their wives and the children born to them. This act was seen as a necessary, though painful, step in re-establishing the distinctive identity of the post-exilic community.
Relationship to Other Biblical Figures
While Binnui is listed alongside seven other descendants of Pahath-moab, the text does not specify his direct parentage or his specific offspring. He is a contemporary of the priest Ezra and acted under the legislative authority of the elders and judges of Jerusalem. His inclusion in this list implies he was a man of some standing or at least a head of a household, as his individual name was deemed important enough for the permanent historical record of the restoration.
Spiritual Significance
The spiritual significance of Binnui lies in his submission to the Word of God as interpreted by Ezra. Though his appearance in the biblical narrative is brief, he serves as a representative of the collective repentance of Israel. His willingness to sacrifice his domestic arrangements for the sake of the community's holiness reflects the rigorous demands of the post-exilic reform. The record of his name serves as a testament to the difficult transition the exiles faced as they sought to rebuild a society governed strictly by the Torah after decades of cultural assimilation in Babylon.
Spiritual Significance
Binnui’s inclusion in the list of Ezra 10 highlights the pervasive nature of the intermarriage crisis, affecting even the largest and most prominent families like Pahath-moab. His individual mention underscores the biblical theme of personal accountability within a corporate body. By documenting his name, the chronicler provides a historical witness to the specific individuals who participated in the restoration of the covenant, marking him as a participant in the preservation of the Jewish lineage leading toward the Messianic age.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Binnui's father?
The Bible does not name Binnui's specific father; it only identifies him as a descendant of Pahath-moab, a large ancestral family group.
What did Binnui do in the book of Ezra?
He was among the men who had married foreign women and subsequently agreed to Ezra's demand to divorce them to maintain the religious purity of Israel.
What tribe did Binnui belong to?
The Bible does not explicitly state his tribe, though he was part of the returning Jewish exiles, likely belonging to the tribe of Judah or Benjamin.
When did Binnui live?
He lived during the Post-Exilic Period, specifically during the time of Ezra's reforms in Jerusalem around 458 BC.
Connected Figures
Ezra
Priest and leader who oversaw Binnui's reform
Pahath-moab
Ancestral head of Binnui's family line
Bezalel
Kinsman from the descendants of Pahath-moab
Categories
Mentions by Book
- Ezra1
Others Named Binnui
Binnui, Father of NoadiahEzra 8:33
A Levite during the post-exilic return to Jerusalem whose son, Noadiah, assisted in the critical task of accounting for the temple's gold and silver.
Binnui, Ancestor of ShimeiEzra 10:38
A man of Israel during the post-exilic period whose descendant, Shimei, was identified in the census of those who had married foreign women.
Binnui, Son of HenadadNehemiah 3:24
A laborer and descendant of Henadad who participated in the reconstruction of the Jerusalem wall under Nehemiah's leadership.