Ezra 8:15

Ezra Leads Many Jews Back to Jerusalem

15 I gathered the people together at the waterway that flows toward Ahava. We camped there for three days. I looked for Levites among the people and priests. But I didn't find any.

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 Eliphelet, Jeuel and Shemaiah came from the family line of Adonikam. Some members of their family had gone up to Jerusalem before them. The total number of men with them was 60.

14 Uthai and Zaccur came from the family line of Bigvai. The total number of men with them was 70.

15 I gathered the people together at the waterway that flows toward Ahava. We camped there for three days. I looked for Levites among the people and priests. But I didn't find any.

16 So I sent for Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan and Jarib. I also sent for Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah and Meshullam. All of them were leaders. And I sent for Joiarib and Elnathan. They were very well educated.

17 I sent all of those men to Iddo. He was the leader in Casiphia. He and his relatives were temple servants there. I told my men what to say to them. I wanted Iddo and his relatives to bring some attendants to us for the house of our God.