And of the sons of Elam; Mattaniah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, and Abdi, and Jeremoth, and Eliah.
The verse names six men of the sons of Elam — Mattaniah, Zechariah, Jehiel, Abdi, Jeremoth, and Eliah. Among them Abdi means my servant. It belongs to the record of Ezra leading the people in practical separation from forbidden alliances with the surrounding heathen peoples before they could be taught the law, to prepare them spiritually for rebuilding Jerusalem.
It is part of God's clear counsel on marriage given in love and mercy, to be read, prayerfully considered, and cheerfully obeyed at the present time as important instruction and timely warning. It teaches that marriage must be entered only in the Lord and that its duties must be studied before entering it. Consulting the word of God about marriage and living in agreement with it spares long years of bitter anguish of heart, painful regret, and frequent disappointment in that honorable estate, while neglect leads to a repentance that comes both too soon and too late.
The verse names six men of the sons of Elam — Mattaniah, Zechariah, Jehiel, Abdi, Jeremoth, and Eliah. Among them Abdi means my servant. It belongs to the record of Ezra leading the people in practical separation from forbidden alliances with the surrounding heathen peoples before they could be taught the law, to prepare them spiritually for rebuilding Jerusalem.
It is part of God's clear counsel on marriage given in love and mercy, to be read, prayerfully considered, and cheerfully obeyed at the present time as important instruction and timely warning. It teaches that marriage must be entered only in the Lord and that its duties must be studied before entering it. Consulting the word of God about marriage and living in agreement with it spares long years of bitter anguish of heart, painful regret, and frequent disappointment in that honorable estate, while neglect leads to a repentance that comes both too soon and too late.