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ezra 8:15-20

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Ezra 8:15-20

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”

— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

15. And I gathered them together to the river that runneth to Ahava; and there abode we in tents three days: and I viewed the people, and the priests, and found there none of the sons of Levi. 16. Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, and for Elnathan, and for Jarib, and for Elnathan, and for Nathan, and for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Joiarib, and for Elnathan, men of understanding. 17. And I sent them with commandment unto Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia, and I told them what they should say unto Iddo, [and] to his brethren the Nethinims, at the place Casiphia, that they should bring unto us ministers for the house of our God. 18. And by the good hand of our God upon us they brought us a man of understanding, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel; and Sherebiah, with his sons and his brethren, eighteen; 19. And Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, his brethren and their sons, twenty; 20. Also of the Nethinims, whom David and the princes had appointed for the service of the Levites, two hundred and twenty Nethinims: all of them were expressed by name.

Ezra 8:15-20 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Ezra 8:15

Theological / Devotional

The river. The river, or canal, called Ahava in verses 21, 31, is otherwise unknown. The Ezra record leaves the impression that it was rather centrally located in Babylonia, for it was easy to make contact with the Levites, to whom an additional appeal was sent from that place (see verses 15-20). Some have considered it equivalent to the Talmudic ’Ihi, which they identify with the modern Hit, northwest of Babylon.

Sons of Levi. The reason for the absence of Levites is probably the same as that discussed in connection with Ezra 2:40, where the small number of returning Levites is apparent (see also on Ezra 8:1).

By SdaBc

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