Who was Miamin?

Miamin (also rendered as Miniamin or Mijamin) was one of the Levitical priests mentioned during the time of Ezra, particularly in relation to the national repentance and reform recorded in Ezra 10. The name Miamin (Hebrew: מִיַּמִּין, Miyyāmin) means “from the right hand” or “fortunate,” which may suggest a position of favor or strength, especially in relation to temple service, where the right hand symbolized honor or blessing.

He is listed among the priests who had taken foreign wives during the post-exilic period and who, under conviction during the revival led by Ezra, agreed to put away their foreign wives in obedience to God’s law. Miamin is specifically mentioned in Ezra 10:25 as one of the sons of Harim who had transgressed this commandment and repented by participating in the covenantal process of confession and separation.

Biblical References

• Ezra 10:25 – “And of the sons of Harim: Maaseiah, Elijah, Shemaiah, Jehiel, and Uzziah.”

• Ezra 10:22 – While not named here directly, other records of priests of similar names are found in related lists.

• 1 Chronicles 24:9 – A Mijamin is listed as the head of the sixth division of priests during the time of David, which could suggest a possible family line, though the identification is not certain.

Cross References

• Nehemiah 12:5, 17 – Names similar to Miamin, such as Miniamin or Mijamin, are found among the priestly and Levitical leaders who returned with Zerubbabel.

• Exodus 34:16 – “And when you choose some of their daughters as wives for your sons…” speaks against intermarriage with pagan nations, the central sin in Ezra 9–10.

• Deuteronomy 7:3-4 – Commands Israel not to intermarry with pagan nations to prevent spiritual corruption.

What Happened in the Bible?

Miamin’s name appears during a pivotal moment in Israel’s history, when the exiles who had returned from Babylon were confronted with their compromise through intermarriage with pagan women. Ezra, a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses and a spiritual leader, was devastated by this disobedience and led the nation in repentance (Ezra 9–10).

The men who had taken foreign wives were publicly named in Ezra 10, which included Miamin among the sons of Harim. These men responded to Ezra’s call for repentance and, under a covenant before the Lord, agreed to send away their foreign wives and children. This act, though painful and controversial by today’s standards, was an act of radical obedience intended to restore the purity of the covenant people and prevent further idolatry.

What It Means for Today’s Christians

Miamin’s inclusion in Ezra 10 serves as a sobering reminder of the cost of disobedience and the depth of God’s call to holiness. For Christians today, this account underscores the seriousness with which God regards spiritual compromise. It also highlights the importance of repentance and the willingness to make hard decisions to restore fellowship with God.

Miamin’s story does not center on personal greatness but on public confession and restoration. It teaches that true spiritual leadership is marked by humility and a willingness to admit failure and change course in light of God’s Word.

How His Story Points to Jesus and the Gospel

The story of Miamin—and all those listed in Ezra 10—reveals humanity’s recurring tendency to drift from God‘s standards, even after seasons of restoration. Yet it also points toward the ultimate hope found in the gospel.

While the Old Covenant demanded external separation to maintain purity, Jesus inaugurated a New Covenant that brings transformation from the inside out. In Christ, believers are called to holiness, not through national or ethnic separation, but through faith and obedience empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Miamin’s confession and willingness to part with what was contrary to God’s Word mirror the gospel call to repentance. Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). In that light, Miamin’s obedience foreshadows the kind of costly discipleship that the gospel calls all believers to embrace.

Broader Biblical Themes

1. Repentance and Renewal

The account in Ezra 10, including Miamin’s response, demonstrates that true revival begins with honest confession and decisive repentance. This aligns with broader biblical calls to return to the Lord with sincere hearts (Joel 2:12-13).

2. Holiness of God’s People

From the Old Testament law to New Testament teachings (1 Peter 1:16), God‘s people are called to be holy and separate from sin. Miamin’s participation in the covenant of repentance shows the community’s collective responsibility to uphold God‘s holiness.

3. The Faithfulness of God in Restoration

Even in failure, God‘s grace was at work restoring His people. The willingness of men like Miamin to confess and obey paved the way for a renewed covenant relationship, anticipating the grace and restoration offered through Jesus Christ.

Reflection Questions

1. What does Miamin’s story teach you about the importance of confession and repentance in your own life?

2. In what areas might you be compromising with the world rather than remaining faithful to God’s Word?

3. How does the community’s response in Ezra 10 challenge the modern church to take corporate holiness seriously?

4. What does it mean to you to be “separate” from the world while still living in it, as Jesus prayed in John 17?

5. How does Miamin’s obedience, though painful, point toward the sacrificial call of following Jesus?

Miamin’s life, though briefly mentioned, contributes to the rich tapestry of Scripture’s teaching on holiness, repentance, and restoration. His inclusion in Ezra 10 reminds believers today that no act of obedience is too small when done in response to the Word of God.