Ezra 8:16

Then I sent. The text seems to indicate that Ezra was not only surprised but perturbed that no Levites had responded to his appeal. Without them his caravan seemed incomplete, particularly in view of his desire to bring about a revival (see Ezra 7:10, 14-28; cf. chapters 9, 10). That he sent “men of understanding” in addition to the nine family heads mentioned, to make a last and urgent appeal to the Levites for participation in the return journey, is significant. These two men, although they had no official title or function, were either especially eloquent or persuasive, or were considered otherwise exceptionally qualified for the task at hand.