The Children of Giddel, Gahar and Reaiah - Ezra 2:47

In the book of Ezra, Ezra shared about “the children of the province that went up out of the captivity” which included those who came with “Zerubabbel” among whom were “the Nethinims: the children of Ziha, Hasupha, Tabbaoth, Keros, Siaha, Padon, Lebanah, Hagabah, Akkub, Hagab, Shalmai and Hanan ...”,and in chapter two and verse forty seven of Ezra, Ezra shared about, “the children of Giddel, Gahar and Reaiah” where we read,

The children Giddel, the children of Gahar, the children of Reaiah,

The verse reads, “The children Giddel, the children of Gahar, ...” Ezra began with the words, “the children” which means “the offspring and progeny” “of Giddel” which means “belonging to Giddel whose name means very great and was the head of a family of temple slaves returning from exile with Zerubbabel”, “the children” or “the offspring and progeny” “of Gahar” which means “belonging to Gahar whose name means hiding place”. Ezra shared about the offspring of“Giddel and Gahar” who were among the “Nethinims” and returned to Jerusalem. 

The verse goes on to say, “... the children of Reaiah, ...” Ezra continued with the words, “the children” or “the offspring and progeny” “of Reaiah” which means “belonging to Reaiah whose name means Jehovah has seen and was a progenitor of a family of temple slaves who returned from exile with Zerubbabel”. Ezra accounted for the offspring of “Reaiah”who also returned to Jerusalem among the “Nethinims”.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Ezra about three more families who were “Nethinims”or servants to the Levites and of the temple who went back to Jerusalem at the commission of Jehovah God through Cyrus the king of Persia. Family by family God's plan for Israel was coming together, and as each of these people complied with God's will, they fulfilled His desire for their lives. When God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, He presented the opportunity for everyone who surrenders to Him as “Savior and Lord” to be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life. When we yield to Him, we fulfill His desire for us, and we shall be used in His Kingdom for all eternity. 

Next time Ezra shares about, “the children of Rezin, Nekoda and Gazzam”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".