Meshullam may be the man who supported those opposed to the plan of the assembly in verse 15 above. It was a common name, however, and occurs a number of times in Nehemiah. The other men cannot be identified.

Another textual problem in the list is the fact that the family of Bani is listed twice in verses 29 and 34. Based on the list of families in Ezra 2, one of these should probably be “Bigvai” (see 2.10, 14). The Septuagint has “Banoui” here in verse 29. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project supports the MT reading of Bani with a B rating, and this is the preferred text here.

Quoted with permission from Noss, Philip A. and Thomas, Kenneth J. A Handbook on Ezra. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2005. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .