Ezra 8:15

15 I gathered them together at the canal that runs to Ahava. We camped there three days. I looked them over and found that they were all laymen and priests but no 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 Family of Adonikam (bringing up the rear): their names were Eliphelet, Jeuel, Shemaiah, and 60 men

14 Family of Bigvai: Uthai and Zaccur, and 70 men.

15 I gathered them together at the canal that runs to Ahava. We camped there three days. I looked them over and found that they were all laymen and priests but no Levites.

16 So I sent for the leaders Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah, and Meshullam, and for the teachers Joiarib and Elnathan.

17 I then sent them to Iddo, who is head of the town of Casiphia, and told them what to say to Iddo and his relatives who lived there in Casiphia: "Send us ministers for The Temple of God."