Ezra 8 17

Ezra 8:17 kjv

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.

Ezra 8:17 nkjv

And I gave them a command for Iddo the chief man at the place Casiphia, and I told them what they should say to Iddo and his brethren the Nethinim at the place Casiphia?that they should bring us servants for the house of our God.

Ezra 8:17 niv

and I ordered them to go to Iddo, the leader in Kasiphia. I told them what to say to Iddo and his fellow Levites, the temple servants in Kasiphia, so that they might bring attendants to us for the house of our God.

Ezra 8:17 esv

and sent them to Iddo, the leading man at the place Casiphia, telling them what to say to Iddo and his brothers and the temple servants at the place Casiphia, namely, to send us ministers for the house of our God.

Ezra 8:17 nlt

I sent them to Iddo, the leader of the Levites at Casiphia, to ask him and his relatives and the Temple servants to send us ministers for the Temple of God at Jerusalem.

Ezra 8 verses

Ezra 8 17 Meaning

Ezra, on his journey back to Jerusalem with the exiles, identified a critical shortage of Levites and Temple servants among the returnees. This verse details his specific strategic action: dispatching a delegation to Iddo, the chief of a community at Casiphia, presumably a significant settlement of religious functionaries still in exile. Ezra provided clear and precise instructions to his messengers on how to approach Iddo and his relatives, particularly the Nethinim, to request personnel dedicated to service in the newly rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem. This demonstrates Ezra's foresight and dedication to ensuring the proper and full functioning of God's house and re-establishing organized worship.

Ezra 8 17 Context

This verse is situated during the second wave of Jewish returnees from exile to Jerusalem, led by Ezra, approximately 458 BC. Earlier in the chapter (Ezra 8:15), Ezra records his inspection of the returning group at the river Ahava and his discovery that there were "none of the sons of Levi" there, meaning a significant shortage of Levitical temple personnel. This absence was a critical issue because the proper functioning and upkeep of the recently rebuilt Temple depended on priests, Levites, and their dedicated assistants, the Nethinim, to perform their designated duties according to Mosaic law. Ezra's actions in verse 17 highlight his practical leadership and deep commitment to re-establishing accurate and full worship in Jerusalem. The historical context shows Ezra's administrative challenges under Persian rule to gather people and resources, emphasizing the spiritual importance of his journey and mission, which relied solely on God's protection.

Ezra 8 17 Word analysis

• "And I sent them": Ezra's decisive and proactive leadership. As the leader of this second return, he takes immediate and direct action to address a critical need for temple personnel. This reflects his strategic planning and intentionality.
• "to Iddo": The Hebrew term `ʿiddo` (עִדּוֹ), a proper noun, which might mean "his witness" or "ornament." This refers to a specific individual known to Ezra, implying a pre-existing relationship or knowledge of key figures within the exiled communities. He was recognized as an important and influential leader among the Jewish exiles still residing in Babylon or Persia.
• "the chief": Hebrew `roʾš` (רֹאשׁ), literally "head," signifying his authoritative and leading position within his community. Ezra's wisdom in targeting a person of authority underscores his pragmatic approach to securing cooperation and necessary personnel.
• "at the place Casiphia": Hebrew `Kasiphyāʾ` (כָּסִפְיָא). A specific location in the Persian Empire, its exact site is debated. It appears to have been a prominent settlement or "silver place" (possibly derived from `keseph` meaning "silver") where a significant number of Levites, Temple servants, or those related to them had settled during the exile, perhaps maintaining some communal religious identity. It represented a vital reservoir of qualified and available personnel.
• "and I told them what they should say": This phrase emphasizes Ezra's careful attention to detail and his role in formulating the message. He wasn't simply sending messengers; he was providing them with precise instructions and the specific persuasive arguments to present, indicating the sensitivity and importance of this diplomatic mission.
• "to Iddo and his relatives": Highlights the communal and familial nature of ancient Jewish society. "Relatives" likely refers to members of the Levitical families or clans associated with Temple service. Ezra appealed to family ties and collective responsibility.
• "the Nethinim": Hebrew `Nethinīm` (נְתִינִים), meaning "given ones" or "dedicated ones." This was a distinct group of Temple servants, lower in status than Levites but essential. Their origin can be traced back to the Gibeonites (Josh 9), cursed to be "woodcutters and water carriers" for the Tabernacle, and expanded over time to include other non-Israelites who became indentured or devoted to sacred service. They performed menial but crucial tasks, allowing priests and Levites to focus on more complex sacred duties.
• "that they should bring us servants": The core purpose of the delegation. "Servants" (מְשָׁרְתִים, `meshār'tim`) here specifically denotes those who minister or attend in a religious context. Ezra sought not just people, but individuals committed to consecrated service in the Tabernacle.
• "for the house of our God": The ultimate sacred motivation and holy purpose of the entire mission. The Temple (`bēyth 'Elōheynû`) in Jerusalem, where God's presence dwelt, required specific and dedicated personnel for its proper operation, sacred rituals, and the flourishing of true worship. This ensured that the request was seen as divine service, not a personal whim.

• "I sent them to Iddo, the chief at the place Casiphia": This group of words illustrates Ezra’s executive leadership and knowledge of the scattered Jewish communities. He strategically targets a recognized authority in a known center for exiled religious personnel, rather than seeking individuals at random, demonstrating efficient and purpose-driven administration.
• "and I told them what they should say to Iddo and his relatives": This emphasizes the meticulous preparation and importance of clear communication. Ezra isn't merely issuing an order but equipping his messengers with a specific, persuasive appeal. The inclusion of "relatives" indicates a wider appeal to family and community obligation beyond just the chief.
• "the Nethinim at the place Casiphia, that they should bring us servants": This highlights the precise and practical needs of the Temple. By specifically naming the "Nethinim," Ezra shows a comprehensive understanding of the distinct, vital, and complementary roles required for temple functioning. The emphasis is on acquiring `servants` for a holy cause.
• "for the house of our God": This concluding phrase provides the sacred context and ultimate justification for Ezra's entire endeavor. All efforts—strategic planning, communication, and seeking specific individuals—are ultimately directed toward restoring and maintaining proper, consecrated worship in God’s dwelling place, making the call an appeal to divine service.

Ezra 8 17 Bonus section

• The term "Casiphia" suggests a location where metal (perhaps silver) working or commerce might have taken place, or it might refer to a settlement rich in resources. Its significance in this context is primarily as a place where many Levites and Nethinim had chosen to remain during the exile.
• Ezra's act of dispatching messengers before departing emphasizes the immediate and critical nature of the personnel shortage. He prioritizes securing these vital servants, understanding that without them, the Temple could not function adequately or according to divine law upon their arrival in Jerusalem.
• The mention of "relatives" suggests that families and kin groups, even after decades of exile, often remained cohesive units, potentially retaining traditions and skills passed down through generations related to Temple service. Ezra shrewdly appealed to these familial ties.
• The inclusion of the Nethinim, alongside or as part of "Iddo's relatives," demonstrates that service to God extended beyond just the Levitical line to those designated for the most basic, yet essential, tasks in the Tabernacle. It broadens the concept of divine service to include a wide array of support roles.
• Ezra’s proactive recruitment shows his leadership went beyond teaching the law; he actively sought to implement it practically, ensuring that the human infrastructure for Temple worship was in place.

Ezra 8 17 Commentary

Ezra 8:17 unveils Ezra's astute spiritual and logistical leadership during the second return to Jerusalem. Confronted with a glaring deficiency of Levites and Temple servants—a workforce essential for proper worship—he immediately formulated a strategic response. His delegation to Iddo, the chief at Casiphia, reveals an intentional and informed approach; Ezra knew where a significant body of dedicated, skilled workers for the sanctuary resided. The specific instructions given to the messengers and the explicit request for Nethinim highlight Ezra’s deep understanding of the detailed functional needs of the Tabernacle system and his commitment to adhering to God's ordained order for worship. This passage underscores that spiritual endeavors, while ultimately dependent on divine provision, also require diligent human effort, thoughtful planning, and decisive action to gather and consecrate individuals for God's holy purposes in His house.