Definition: And [of] the sons of Harim; Eliezer, Ishijah, Malchiah, Shemaiah, Shimeon,

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Ezra 10:31. It’s a really interesting and somewhat mysterious passage in the Old Testament. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a group of people – sons of Harim – who were chosen by God to be part of a special ministry. It's essentially a list of individuals designated for a specific purpose. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Ezra 10:31” : This is the verse itself, and it’s from the Book of Ezra. “And [of] the sons of Harim” : This tells us who these people are. "Harim" was a very important person in ancient Israelite history. He was a leader who oversaw the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. So, “the sons of Harim” refers to descendants of this leader. “Eliezer…” : This is one of the names of the group. “…Ishijah, Malchiah, Shemaiah, Shimeon” : These are names of specific individuals within that group. Each name represents a different role or responsibility they held within this ministry. What does it mean practically? This verse suggests that God chose these people to serve as intermediaries – messengers – between the Israelites and God. They were specifically chosen to help the Israelites understand and follow God's laws and purposes better. Important Context (Briefly): The Book of Ezra is a story about the rebuilding of the Temple after the Babylonian exile. It’s a time when Israel was deeply divided, and it took divine guidance for the people to return to their faith. This verse speaks to God's plan to guide them back to righteousness. In short, this verse describes a group of important leaders chosen by God to serve as messengers and facilitators in the rebuilding of the Temple and guiding Israel back to his covenant. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the significance of this verse within the broader context of the Old Testament?