The names belong to the days of Ezra and Nehemiah, when Israel had dealings with ancient lands adjoining Israel. The Babylonian life setting of that period is confirmed and illuminated by discoveries in those lands and by archaeology. The list is part of the record of the people's solemn covenant to keep the law of Moses that Ezra had brought back to Jerusalem. That covenant is evidence that the Pentateuch was established as the Jews' authoritative book.
The names belong to the days of Ezra and Nehemiah, when Israel had dealings with ancient lands adjoining Israel. The Babylonian life setting of that period is confirmed and illuminated by discoveries in those lands and by archaeology. The list is part of the record of the people's solemn covenant to keep the law of Moses that Ezra had brought back to Jerusalem. That covenant is evidence that the Pentateuch was established as the Jews' authoritative book.