Who was Shecaniah?
2 Then Shekaniah son of Jehiel, one of the descendants of Elam, said to Ezra, “We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women from the peoples around us. But in spite of this, there is still hope for Israel. 3 Now let us make a covenant before our God to send away all these women and their children, in accordance with the counsel of my lord and of those who fear the commands of our God. Let it be done according to the Law. 4 Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it.”
Ezra 10:1 - 4
ESV - 1 While Ezra prayed and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, a very great assembly of men, women, and children, gathered to him out of Israel, for the people wept bitterly. 2 And Shecaniah the son of Jehiel, of the sons of Elam, addressed Ezra: "We have broken faith with our God and have married foreign women from the peoples of the land, but even now there is hope for Israel in spite of this.
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Asked May 12 2020
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Jack Gutknecht
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Tim Maas
To the best of my knowledge, the Bible does not elaborate on Shecaniah's background, other than to say (as noted in the passage cited in the question) that he was the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam (who was one of the sons of Noah's son Shem). However, despite the brevity of information about him, it seems clear from the account of him in the book of Ezra that he was zealous in his devotion to the Lord, and a strong influence in encouraging Ezra's efforts to spiritually restore Judah following the period of its exile in Babylon. He showed this by openly acknowledging Judah's sins and guilt, but still retaining faith and hope that God would show mercy to the people if they repented and once again obeyed the Law given by God through Moses.
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