Ezra 10:43 (KJV) says, "Of the sons of Nebo; Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jadau, and Joel, Benaiah."

The book of Ezra, from which this verse is taken, is set during a pivotal period in Jewish history. The people of Israel had been exiled to Babylon, but were allowed to return to Jerusalem by the Persian king Cyrus. Despite their return, the Israelites faced many challenges. One of the primary issues they were dealing with in the book of Ezra was the widespread intermarriage between the Israelites and the surrounding pagan nations, which was a direct violation of God's commandments.

In Ezra 10, we see the people addressing this issue by confessing their sins and committing to purging themselves of their foreign wives and children born to them. This was a difficult and painful decision, as it meant breaking up families and sending away loved ones. However, it was a necessary step in order to purify the people and restore their covenant relationship with God.

Now, looking at Ezra 10:43 specifically, we see a list of names. These names belong to individuals who were willing to make the difficult choice of ending their marriages to foreign wives for the sake of obeying God's commands. Each of these names is significant in its own way, and they symbolize the commitment and sacrifice required to remain faithful to God.

Jeiel, for example, means "carrying away" or "being gathered by God." This name signifies the idea of being gathered by God from the foreign influence and brought back into the community of Israel.

Mattithiah means "gift of Jehovah" or "gift from God". This could represent the idea that their obedience to God's command was a gift, and their actions were a way of giving back to God.

Zabad means "endowed" or "given," signifying that their actions were a result of being endowed with the wisdom and strength needed to make the difficult decision.

Zebina means "buying" or "selling". This could symbolize the idea of selling out their worldly desires and buying into God's will.

Jadau means "Jehovah has known" or "known by God". This could represent the idea that even in the midst of such a difficult decision, God knew their hearts and their faithfulness.

Joel means "Yahweh is God," a reminder of their allegiance to God above all else.

Benaiah means "Yahweh has built" or "Yahweh has fortified". This could symbolize the idea that their obedience to God's commands would lead to a rebuilding and fortifying of their faith and community.

Overall, the inclusion of these names serves as a testimony to the individuals who were willing to make the sacrifice for the greater good of their nation and their relationship with God. It also serves as a reminder to readers that obedience to God often requires difficult choices and personal sacrifice.

In a broader context, this verse also speaks to the themes of fidelity, repentance, and the importance of following God's commands. The Israelites in this passage demonstrate their willingness to confess their sins, make a difficult choice, and recommit themselves to following God's laws. This serves as a powerful example for believers today, reminding us of the importance of remaining faithful to God even in the face of hardship and difficult decisions.

In conclusion, Ezra 10:43 may seem like a simple list of names, but within the broader context of the book of Ezra and the biblical narrative as a whole, it carries rich symbolism and serves as a powerful example of obedience, faithfulness, and the sacrifices required to follow God wholeheartedly.