The Children of the Other Elam - Ezra 2:31

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 men of Michmas, Bethel and Ai, and the children of Nebo and Magbish”,and in chapter two and verse thirty-one of Ezra, Ezra shared about “the children of the other Elam” where we read,

The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.

The verse reads, “The children of the other Elam, ...” Ezra began with the words, “the children” which means “the offspring and progeny” “of the other Elam” which means “belonging to one other or different man known as Elam whose name means eternity and was another ancestor of another family of exiles who returned with Zerubbabel”. Ezra shared about a different man who was also known by the name of “Elam”.

The verse continues, “... a thousand two hundred fifty and four.” Ezra added the words, “a thousand two hundred fifty and four” or “one thousand, two hundred and fifty four offspring from the family of the other Elam”. Ezra said there were twelve hundred and fifty four members of the family of the other man known as “Elam” who went back to Jerusalem.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Ezra how there was a second man named “Elam” (See Ezra 2:7) whose descendants went back to Jerusalem under the directive of Jehovah God through Cyrus the king of Persia. Sometimes people have the same name, but God knows every person individually. He calls everyone through His Son Jesus who was crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and speak to us individually through His Holy Spirit even though we have the same name as others. 

Next time Ezra shares about, “the children of Harim”, 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".