Sadamias
## Biblical Figure and Name Variation Sadamias appears in the King James Version (KJV) of 1 Esdras 5:26, where he is listed among the returning exiles. Modern translations, including the Revised Version (British and American), render his name as Salemas. This variation is a result of differences in manuscript traditions and translation choices for the Greek text of 1 Esdras.
## Role in the Post-Exilic Community The primary biblical data for Sadamias/Salemas is his inclusion in a registry of Israelites who returned from Babylon to Judah under the Persian decree. The list in 1 Esdras 5:7-43 parallels the account found in the canonical book of Ezra 2. These registries served to establish the legitimacy and continuity of the restored community in Jerusalem, documenting the "sons of the province" who came back (Ezra 2:1). As one name among many, Sadamias represents the collective identity of the returnees.
## Significance of the Record His mention, though brief, is theologically significant. It underscores the biblical theme that God remembers and restores His people as a corporate body. The detailed lists emphasize that the restoration was not an abstract event but involved specific individuals and families. The preservation of such names, even minor ones, affirms the value of each person within the covenant community and God's faithfulness to His promises of return from exile (Jeremiah 29:10-14).
## Textual Context and Canonical Status It is important to note that Sadamias is found in 1 Esdras, a book considered deuterocanonical or apocryphal by most Protestant traditions but included in the Septuagint and valued for its historical witness. His story is part of the broader narrative of the Jewish return from exile, a pivotal event in Second Temple Judaism. The parallel list in Ezra 2 does not contain his specific name, illustrating the variations between these historical accounts.
Biblical Context
The name Sadamias (Salemas) appears exclusively in 1 Esdras 5:26 (KJV). He is cataloged in a list of returning exiles, specifically among the "sons of Azmaveth" (or, in some manuscripts, Beth-azmaveth). This places him within the narrative of Israel's restoration after the Babylonian exile, as authorized by the Persian king Cyrus.
Theological Significance
Sadamias represents the individual within the redeemed community. His inclusion in a sacred record teaches that God's saving acts encompass and value every member of His people. It highlights themes of divine remembrance, covenantal faithfulness, and the importance of communal identity in God's plan of restoration.
Historical Background
1 Esdras is a Greek historical text dating from the late Second Temple period, likely composed between the 2nd century BC and 1st century AD. It provides a variant account of events found in 2 Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah. The meticulous listing of names reflects the administrative practices of the Persian Empire and the Jewish community's effort to document its lineage and legitimate claim to the land following the exile.