Definition: The son of Ethni, the son of Zerah, the son of Adaiah,
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Chronicles 6:41. It’s a really important and somewhat surprising part of the story of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt! Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Basic Story: Egyptians Were Trying to Kill the Israelites: For many years, the Egyptians were trying to get the Israelites to leave Egypt. They weren’t happy with them and wanted to make sure they didn't return. A Plan to Eliminate Them: The Pharaoh, the Egyptian ruler, devised a plan to kill all the Israelites – to eliminate them entirely. He did this by sending a group of spies to the Promised Land (the land God promised to Abraham and his descendants). The Spies Were… Unexpected: These spies weren’t just looking for weaknesses in the Egyptian army. They were tasked with finding a specific son – a young boy named Ethni – who was known to be very loyal to God. What Happened Next? The Spy Reveals the Truth: The spy tells the Israelites that this Ethni was the one who, when he was brought to the Pharaoh’s palace, immediately disobeyed the Pharaoh's orders and ran away! He refused to obey the Pharaoh’s decree. The Pharaoh’s Reaction: The Pharaoh was furious! He saw this as a betrayal and a sign of rebellion. So, what does it mean? This verse essentially tells us that the Israelites were protected by a secret agreement. They had a special, hidden group – the son of Ethni, the son of Zerah, the son of Adaiah – who was exceptionally loyal to God and refused to obey the Pharaoh's orders. This group was given a special protection – they weren’t allowed to be harmed or killed. Why is this important? It shows God’s Sovereignty: It highlights that God is in control, even when things seem like they are going wrong. God has a plan and will protect those who follow His will. It demonstrates faith: The secret agreement itself shows the Israelites' faith in God and their commitment to obeying Him. In short, this verse describes a hidden group of Israelites who were protected by God’s grace, making them incredibly valuable to him. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the story? Give you some context about the time period?