Ezra 8:15

15 I had this group gather by the river that flows to Ahava, and we camped there for three days. I noticed laypeople and priests there, but I didn't find any Levites.

Ezra 8:15 Meaning and Commentary

Ezra 8:15

And I gathered them together to the river that runneth to
Ahava
From whence also the river bore the same name; or that from the river, see ( Ezra 8:21 ) , and may be the same with Adiabene, a country in Assyria, which had its name from the river Adiava:

and there abode we in tents three days;
or pitched their camp; this was the place of their rendezvous:

and I viewed the people and the priests;
mustered them, took the number of them, and what tribe and families they were of:

and found there none of the sons of Levi;
excepting the priests.

Ezra 8:15 In-Context

13 from the family of Adonikam: Eliphelet, Jeuel, and Shemaiah, who arrived later with 60 males

14 from the family of Bigvai: Uthai and Zabbud, with 70 males.

15 I had this group gather by the river that flows to Ahava, and we camped there for three days. I noticed laypeople and priests there, but I didn't find any Levites.

16 Then I sent for Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah, and Meshullam (who were leading men) and for Joiarib and Elnathan (who were wise).

17 I sent them to Iddo, the leader in Casiphia. I told them to tell Iddo and his relatives, the temple servants in Casiphia, that they should bring us men who can serve in our God's temple.