Ezra 8:16 kjv
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.
Ezra 8:16 nkjv
Then I sent for Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah, and Meshullam, leaders; also for Joiarib and Elnathan, men of understanding.
Ezra 8:16 niv
So I summoned Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah and Meshullam, who were leaders, and Joiarib and Elnathan, who were men of learning,
Ezra 8:16 esv
Then I sent for Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah, and Meshullam, leading men, and for Joiarib and Elnathan, who were men of insight,
Ezra 8:16 nlt
So I sent for Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah, and Meshullam, who were leaders of the people. I also sent for Joiarib and Elnathan, who were men of discernment.
Ezra 8 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 3:6 | "Bring the tribe of Levi near and set them before Aaron the priest, that..." | Levites assigned to priestly service. |
| Num 8:6 | "Take the Levites from among the people of Israel and cleanse them." | Consecration of Levites for their ministry. |
| Deut 12:5 | "But you shall seek the place that the Lord your God will choose out..." | Importance of designated place for worship. |
| Deut 12:28 | "Be careful to obey all these words that I command you, that it may..." | Obedience in setting up God's worship. |
| Josh 1:7 | "Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according..." | Diligence in following God's commands (Ezra's resolve). |
| 1 Chr 9:2 | "Now the first inhabitants who lived in their possessions in their cities..." | Returnees re-establishing life, including temple workers. |
| 1 Chr 15:16 | "David also commanded the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their brothers..." | Importance of organized musical ministry for worship. |
| 1 Chr 23:24 | "These were the descendants of Levi according to their fathers' houses..." | Genealogical records of Levites for service. |
| 2 Chr 29:5 | "Hear me, you Levites! Consecrate yourselves now, and consecrate the..." | Call for Levites to fulfill their sacred duty. |
| Ezra 7:6 | "This Ezra went up from Babylonia... according to the good hand of his God..." | God's guiding hand on Ezra's journey. |
| Ezra 7:10 | "For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do..." | Ezra's diligent pursuit of God's will. |
| Neh 2:8 | "And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God..." | God's enabling provision for His work. |
| Ps 37:23 | "The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights..." | Divine guidance in endeavors. |
| Prov 15:22 | "Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed." | Wisdom in seeking counsel and collaboration. |
| Prov 29:2 | "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice, but when..." | Righteous leadership benefits all. |
| Jer 29:10-14 | "For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon..." | Fulfillment of prophecy of return from exile. |
| Isa 10:21 | "A remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God." | Theme of the remnant returning. |
| Mal 3:7 | "From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes..." | Call for spiritual return and obedience. |
| 1 Cor 4:2 | "Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy." | Importance of faithfulness in God's service. |
| Eph 4:11-12 | "And he gave the apostles, the prophets... to equip the saints for..." | God provides leaders to equip the church for service. |
| Phil 2:3-4 | "Do nothing from selfish ambition or from conceit, but in humility..." | Leaders should serve humbly for the common good. |
| Col 3:23-24 | "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men..." | All service should be rendered unto the Lord. |
| Tit 1:7-9 | "For an overseer must be blameless... holding fast to the trustworthy word..." | Qualities required for church leaders/servants. |
| Heb 10:25 | "Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but..." | Importance of assembly and communal worship. |
Ezra 8 verses
Ezra 8 16 Meaning
Ezra 8:16 details Ezra's deliberate action to secure adequate Levitical and temple personnel for the arduous journey back to Jerusalem and the vital re-establishment of temple service. Recognizing a critical shortage of these dedicated workers, Ezra dispatched a delegation of wise and respected leaders to Iddo, the head of a community at Casiphia, where a significant number of temple servants and potentially Levites resided, to recruit additional laborers for the House of God. This initiative highlights Ezra's astute leadership, his reliance on strategic communication, and his commitment to fulfilling God's requirements for worship.
Ezra 8 16 Context
Ezra 8 narrates the second major return of Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem under the leadership of Ezra the scribe. Prior to embarking on this perilous journey, Ezra demonstrates careful planning and reliance on divine guidance. In Ezra 8:15, while assembling the people by the river Ahava, Ezra performs a headcount and observes a critical shortage of Levites, who were essential for temple duties. Verse 16 directly addresses this discovery, showing Ezra's immediate, practical, and prayerful response to a pressing need, underscoring the spiritual and logistical preparedness required for re-establishing the sacred worship in Jerusalem.
Ezra 8 16 Word analysis
- Then: Marks a sequence of events. Ezra’s actions directly followed his assessment of the assembled people.
- I sent: Highlights Ezra’s active leadership and delegation. He did not simply notice the problem but acted decisively. This implies a burden of responsibility and a proactive approach.
- for Eliezer... Shemaiah: These are named individuals, specific leaders from Ezra’s group. Their designation implies trustworthiness and capability for this vital mission. Naming them underscores the careful and personal nature of Ezra’s administration.
- leaders: The Hebrew word is sarim (שָׂרִים). It denotes chiefs, princes, or officials. This signifies men of high standing, authority, and influence. Their position would lend credibility and weight to the recruitment efforts.
- and for men of understanding: The Hebrew is u-le'anashim mevinim (וּלְאֲנָשִׁים מְבִינִים). Mevinim means those who are discerning, intelligent, or having insight. This emphasizes the need for wisdom, discernment, and persuasive ability in addition to status, crucial for convincing reluctant or settled individuals to join a dangerous and demanding return.
- I sent them to Iddo: Specific target of the mission. Iddo (Heb. `Iddow - עִדּוֹ) appears to be a notable figure or chief of a community, likely with a large number of Levites or Nethinim under his influence, hence Ezra’s direct approach.
- the chief man: Reinforces Iddo's position of authority within his community, making him the key contact for Ezra's request.
- at the place Casiphia: A specific geographical location, signifying a known settlement of returnees, possibly temple servants or Levites who did not return in the first wave. It might have been a repository of skilled temple workers.
- telling them what to say to Iddo and his relatives: Indicates a pre-planned and articulated message, not an open-ended request. Ezra equipped his delegates with clear instructions, emphasizing a well-thought-out diplomatic approach. "His relatives" suggests an organized clan or communal structure.
- the temple servants there: Refers to the Nethinim (נְתִינִים - lit. "given ones"). These were non-Israelite temple servants (possibly descendants of the Gibeonites or other peoples dedicated to temple service), distinct from the Levites but essential for the maintenance and logistics of the sanctuary. Ezra was looking beyond just Levites, to all essential support staff.
- that they should bring us servants for the house of our God: States the clear objective and purpose of the mission. The term "servants" (shārēt) encompasses Levites and Nethinim alike, crucial for the functionality and worship life of the reconstructed temple. It underscores the ultimate goal: proper worship unto God.
Ezra 8 16 Bonus section
The careful enlistment process detailed in Ezra 8:16 highlights a crucial theme throughout the return from exile: the active restoration of a divinely ordered society centered around the temple and its proper worship. This effort was not just about physical return but spiritual and functional re-establishment. The community at Casiphia likely represents a segment of the exiles who had settled and flourished but had perhaps become complacent about their role in the divine economy of Judah. Ezra's specific targeting of them and sending of "men of understanding" indicates that persuasion and a clear articulation of the spiritual imperative were necessary to motivate their participation. This proactive pursuit of personnel also emphasizes the significant need for worship leaders and support staff—their absence could cripple the very purpose of the return. The integration of the Nethinim, alongside the Levites, shows a broad vision for temple service, utilizing all available and qualified personnel dedicated to the upkeep and spiritual functions of the House of God, echoing the divine meticulousness in temple specifications laid out in the Torah.
Ezra 8 16 Commentary
Ezra 8:16 showcases Ezra's profound leadership, which was both spiritually attuned and pragmatically organized. After a spiritual assessment of his retinue (Ezra 8:15), he immediately identifies a vital void: the insufficient number of Levites and temple servants essential for a fully functioning House of God. His response is not panic, but precise action. He carefully selects individuals, not merely by status but also by "understanding," highlighting the need for both authority and wisdom in sacred tasks. Sending this deputation to Iddo at Casiphia, a known dwelling place for such personnel, demonstrates a targeted, efficient, and well-informed approach. This verse underlines that fulfilling God's work requires not just faith, but also meticulous planning, resourceful delegation, and discerning personnel recruitment to ensure the necessary resources are available for divine service and worship. Ezra’s leadership is a testament to actively seeking God’s provision through human effort and divine enablement, all oriented towards the purity and functionality of sacred worship.