Shimei, Descendant of Binnui
A Jewish returnee from the Babylonian exile who was among those identified for having married a foreign woman during the time of Ezra.
Shimei, a descendant of Binnui, was a member of the post-exilic community that returned to Jerusalem from the Babylonian captivity. He is specifically named in the genealogical records of Ezra chapter 10 as one of the individuals who had entered into marriages with foreign women, a practice that the priest Ezra deemed a violation of the Mosaic Law and a threat to the spiritual purity of the restored nation of Israel.
His mention occurs within the context of the Great Assembly’s reform. After Ezra’s public confession and prayer, the people of Israel were called to account for their unfaithfulness. Shimei stands as a representative of the family of Binnui, a group that faced particular scrutiny during this period of national repentance and covenant renewal in the fifth century BC.
Background and Family
Shimei is identified as a descendant of Binnui (Ezra 10:38). While the specific tribe of this branch of Binnui is not explicitly detailed in the text, the context of the list in Ezra 10 suggests he was part of the common citizenry of the returning exiles. The house of Binnui was one of several familial lines that had returned to the land of Judah under the leadership of Zerubbabel or later under Ezra, seeking to rebuild the social and religious fabric of the Jewish state under Persian rule.
Major Life Events
The single recorded event in the life of Shimei occurs in the aftermath of Ezra’s arrival in Jerusalem in 458 BC. Upon reaching the city, Ezra was informed that many of the returnees—including officials and commoners—had intermarried with the surrounding Canaanite, Hittite, and Moabite populations. Shimei’s name appears in the subsequent investigation conducted by a commission of elders and family heads.
In Ezra 10:38, Shimei is listed among those who had taken "foreign wives." This act was interpreted by the leadership as an act of "trespass" or unfaithfulness to God. Shimei, along with his peers, was required to stand before the commission. The biblical record indicates that these men eventually entered into a covenant to put away their foreign wives and to offer a trespass offering—a ram from the flock—as an acknowledgment of their guilt.
Relationship to Other Biblical Figures
Shimei’s primary relationship is defined by his lineage; he is a descendant of Binnui. Within the list provided in Ezra 10:38-42, he is grouped with other members of the Binnui line, such as Maadai, Amram, and Uel. His life is inextricably linked to the ministry of Ezra the Scribe, whose legal and spiritual reforms mandated the dissolution of Shimei’s marriage for the sake of the community's ritual holiness.
Spiritual Significance
Though his appearance in the biblical text is brief, Shimei serves as a historical marker for the challenges of the post-exilic period. His inclusion in the list of offenders highlights the tension between the returning Jews and the local populations. Theologically, Shimei represents the difficult transition from exile back to a covenantal life, illustrating the strict adherence to the Law that characterized the reforms of the Second Temple period. His mention ensures that the historical record of Israel’s struggle for identity and purity remained preserved for future generations.
Spiritual Significance
Shimei represents the communal struggle for spiritual restoration in the post-exilic era. His inclusion in the list of those who intermarried with foreign women underscores the reality that the return to the Promised Land was not without significant moral and social complications. His record serves as a testament to the rigorous reforms of Ezra, who prioritized the preservation of the holy seed and the distinctiveness of the Jewish people over individual family ties.
The fact that Shimei is specifically named suggests that individual accountability was a hallmark of the restoration community. In the theological framework of the Book of Ezra, Shimei’s actions and his subsequent submission to the reform illustrate the theme of corporate repentance and the necessary, often painful, steps required to align a nation with divine mandates after a period of judgment and exile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the father of Shimei in Ezra 10?
The Bible identifies him as a descendant of Binnui, but his specific father's name is not recorded in the text.
What sin did Shimei commit according to the Book of Ezra?
Shimei was among the men who had married foreign women, which was considered a violation of the Mosaic Law during the post-exilic reform.
What happened to Shimei after he was identified by Ezra?
According to the general decree in Ezra 10, those named agreed to separate from their foreign wives and offer a trespass offering to God.
To which family line did this Shimei belong?
He belonged to the family line of Binnui, a group that returned from the Babylonian exile.
In what year did Shimei's events take place?
The events occurred around 458–457 BC, during the seventh year of the Persian King Artaxerxes I.
Connected Figures
Ezra
Religious leader who oversaw Shimei's reform
Binnui
Ancestral head of Shimei's family line
Categories
Mentions by Book
- Ezra1
Others Named Shimei
Shimei, Overseer of Hezekiah2 Chronicles 31:12
A Levite officer who served as second-in-command to his brother Conaniah in managing the temple contributions and tithes during the reign of King Hezekiah.
Shimei, descendant of Merari1 Chronicles 6:29
A Levite of the Merarite line who is identified in the biblical genealogies as the son of Libni and the father of Uzzah.
Shimei, Son of GershonNumbers 3:18
A prominent Levite and grandson of Levi who established the Shimeite clan during the Egyptian sojourn and the wilderness wanderings.
Shimei, son of Ela1 Kings 1:8
A high-ranking official and tribal administrator in the court of King Solomon, noted for his loyalty to David and his oversight of the territory of Benjamin.
Shimei, Levite of the ReturnEzra 10:23
A Levite who returned from the Babylonian exile and was among those who pledged to separate from foreign wives during the reforms of Ezra.
Shimei, Gershonite Levite of the Divided Monarchy1 Chronicles 6:42
A Levite of the Gershonite line during the Divided Monarchy era, recognized as the head of a significant family within the house of Ladan.
Shimei, Hemanite Levite2 Chronicles 29:14
A Levite of the Hemanite family who participated in the spiritual purification and restoration of the temple during the reign of King Hezekiah.
Shimei, Benjamite of the Divided Monarchy1 Chronicles 8:21
A prominent member of the tribe of Benjamin during the Divided Monarchy era, recognized as the father of nine sons including Adaiah and Beraiah.
Shimei, Descendant of HashumEzra 10:33
A Jewish returnee from the Babylonian exile who was recorded among those who had married foreign women in violation of the Mosaic Law.
Shimei, Son of Gera2 Samuel 16:5
A Benjamite who famously cursed King David during Absalom’s rebellion and was later executed under King Solomon for violating a house arrest agreement.
Shimei, Son of Zaccur1 Chronicles 4:26
A member of the tribe of Simeon noted for his exceptionally large family, consisting of sixteen sons and six daughters.
Shimei, Sibling of Zerubbabel1 Chronicles 3:19
Shimei was a member of the tribe of Judah, the son of Pedaiah, and a brother to the prominent governor Zerubbabel during the era of the Divided Monarchy.
Shimei, Great-grandfather of MordecaiEsther 2:5
A Benjamite ancestor of Mordecai whose lineage connects the exilic Jewish community to the house of Kish.
Shimei the Ramathite1 Chronicles 27:27
Shimei the Ramathite served as the royal official in charge of King David's vineyards during the era of the Divided Monarchy.
Shimei, Reubenite of the Divided Monarchy1 Chronicles 5:4
A member of the tribe of Reuben during the era of the Divided Monarchy, recorded as the son of Gog and the father of Micah.