Who was Ishijah?

Ishijah (Hebrew: יִשִּׁיָּה, Yishiyyah, meaning “Yahweh will lend” or “Yahweh exists”) was one of the men listed in the book of Ezra who had taken a foreign wife during the post-exilic period and was called to repentance. His name appears in Ezra 10:31, among the sons of Harim, who were guilty of marrying foreign women contrary to the Law of God.

This brief mention situates Ishijah within a crucial moment in Israel’s post-exilic restoration, emphasizing the seriousness of covenant faithfulness and spiritual purity as Israel rebuilt its national and religious identity after returning from Babylonian exile.

Biblical References

• Ezra 10:31 – “From the descendants of Harim: Eliezer, Ishijah, Malkijah, Shemaiah, Shimeon.” 
• Ezra 10:18-44 – The broader list of those who had intermarried and were required to put away their foreign wives. 

Cross-references:

• Deuteronomy 7:3-4 – The Law against intermarriage with pagan nations. 
• Nehemiah 13:23-27 – A parallel account of the problem of intermarriage after the exile. 
• Exodus 34:15-16 – Warnings about idolatry and intermarriage with pagan nations. 

Ishijah’s Role in the Narrative

Ishijah is one of many Israelites who, during the time of Ezra the priest and scribe, had entered into marriages with foreign women, a practice strictly forbidden under the Mosaic Covenant due to the risk of spiritual compromise and idolatry. Ezra 10 recounts a corporate act of national repentance. The community of returned exiles, grieved by their unfaithfulness, gathered together and agreed to separate from these unions.

As a descendant of Harim—a priestly family (cf. Ezra 2:39; Nehemiah 7:42)—Ishijah’s inclusion underscores the depth of the crisis: even priests, who were to model holiness before the people, had compromised their covenant obligations.

His decision to participate in the communal repentance was a testimony to the call of holiness and obedience to God’s Word. While Ishijah is not detailed beyond the listing of names, his life is a reminder of the weight of covenant responsibilities and the grace found in confession and repentance.

What It Means for Today’s Christians

Ishijah’s story, though brief, highlights key lessons for believers:

1. The seriousness of sin: God takes the holiness of His people seriously. Even seemingly private decisions, like marriage, can affect the community and one’s walk with God. 
2. The importance of repentance: Ishijah’s inclusion in Ezra 10 shows that no one is above the need for repentance. Repentance is not just individual but can be communal and covenantal. 
3. The call to spiritual separation: While Christians are called to love all people, they are also called to be separate in values and allegiance. Marriage, especially, is to be grounded in shared faith (2 Corinthians 6:14). 

Connection to Jesus and the Gospel

The story of Ishijah is part of the larger biblical theme of covenant faithfulness, which is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. While the Old Covenant emphasized separation to preserve purity, the New Covenant in Christ brings purification through His blood (Hebrews 9:14) and invites people from every nation into one family through faith (Galatians 3:28).

Yet, this inclusion does not remove the call to holiness. Jesus calls His followers to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him (Luke 9:23). In Christ, repentance is not merely a return to the law, but a turning to a Person—Jesus, who forgives and transforms.

Broader Biblical Themes

Covenant Faithfulness

The issue of intermarriage was not about ethnicity but about faithfulness to the covenant. God called Israel to be a holy people (Leviticus 20:26), distinct from the nations in their worship and life.

Holiness and Separation

God’s people are to live differently—not to exclude others but to display the glory and holiness of the One they serve (1 Peter 1:14-16).

Repentance and Renewal

Ezra 10 is one of the most striking Old Testament passages of corporate repentance. It mirrors what the gospel later offers individually and collectively—renewal through confession and a return to God.

Reflection Questions

1. Are there areas in your life where you’ve compromised God‘s standards, thinking it would not affect your walk with Him? 
2. How does the seriousness with which Ezra treated sin challenge your view of holiness today? 
3. In what ways do you need to practice repentance—not just emotionally, but with real-life obedience? 
4. How can the grace of God in Christ help you live a life set apart in today’s culture? 

Though Ishijah is only a name in a list, his inclusion in Scripture is intentional. His brief story reminds us that every person matters in God’s redemptive history—and that holiness, repentance, and grace remain essential for all who belong to the Lord.