Ezra 10:21 (KJV) says, "And of the sons of Harim; Maaseiah, and Elijah, and Shemaiah, and Jehiel, and Uzziah."

This verse is part of the book of Ezra in the Old Testament of the Bible. The book of Ezra tells the story of the Israelites' return from exile in Babylon and their efforts to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. The verse specifically mentions the sons of Harim, who were among those who had married foreign wives during their time in exile. This act of intermarriage was a violation of God's law, as it led to the Israelites taking on the customs and beliefs of the surrounding nations, rather than remaining faithful to their God.

The broader context of this verse is the aftermath of a great national sin that had been committed by the Israelites. The leaders of the returning exiles had discovered that many of the Israelite men had taken foreign wives, in direct violation of God's commands. This was a serious issue, as it threatened to undermine the purity of the Israelite community and lead them away from their faith.

In response to this discovery, the Israelites gathered in Jerusalem, and Ezra the priest led them in a time of confession and repentance. They acknowledged their sin and made a solemn oath to put away their foreign wives and children, in order to purify themselves and restore their relationship with God. This process involved each individual family being called to account, and those who had married foreign wives were required to send them away.

The verse specifically lists the sons of Harim and their names: Maaseiah, Elijah, Shemaiah, Jehiel, and Uzziah. This serves as a reminder of the personal nature of the sin that had been committed. These were not faceless masses, but individuals who had each made the decision to marry outside of their faith. By listing their names, the verse emphasizes the accountability of each person for their actions.

Symbolically, this verse speaks to the importance of personal accountability in matters of faith and obedience to God. It shows that even in the midst of a national crisis, each individual is responsible for their own choices and their own repentance. The process of separation from foreign wives was undoubtedly difficult and painful, but it was necessary for the Israelites to restore their relationship with God.

The themes of obedience, repentance, and the importance of faithfulness to God run throughout this verse and the broader narrative of Ezra. The Israelites' return from exile was meant to be a fresh start, a chance to rebuild their lives and their faith. However, in order to do so, they had to confront their own sin and make the difficult choice to separate from those who had led them astray.

In conclusion, Ezra 10:21 is a small but significant part of the larger story of the Israelites' return from exile. It serves as a reminder of the personal nature of sin and the importance of individual repentance and obedience to God. It also speaks to the themes of accountability, faithfulness, and the need for purity in the life of the community. As such, it continues to hold relevance for Christians today, reminding them of the importance of personal responsibility in matters of faith and the need for true repentance in the face of sin.