Nathanias
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Nathanias in the Bible?
A member of the returned exilic community identified in Ezra 10:39 who divorced his foreign wife in accordance with the communal covenant.
SIGNIFICANCE
Identifying Nathaniah among the signatories of the reform provides concrete evidence of the widespread social enforcement of ethnic and religious boundaries during the early Persian period.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Genealogy & Community Insight: When reading, notice how the lineage and actions of Nathanias reveal God's preservation of family clans and community records across generations.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Nathanias in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Nathanias clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned:
Ezra 10:39
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Nathanias." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/nathanias/