Selemias
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Selemias in the Bible?
Selemias is listed in 1 Esdras 9:34 among the men who divorced their foreign wives, corresponding to the individual named Shelemiah in Ezra 10:39, with some scholars suggesting a potential textual link to Selemiah mentioned in 2 Esdras 14:24.
SIGNIFICANCE
Identifying Selemias clarifies the textual variations between the canonical Book of Ezra and the parallel account in 1 Esdras, illustrating the historical context of post-exilic community boundaries and the specific administrative records of marital reforms.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Genealogy & Community Insight: When reading, notice how the lineage and actions of Selemias reveal God's preservation of family clans and community records across generations.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Selemias in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Selemias 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
"Selemias." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/selemias/