I gathered them together to the river that runs to Ahava; and there we encamped three days: and I looked around at the people and the priests, and found there were none of the sons of Levi.
Parallel Translations
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I gathered them together to the river that runs to Ahava; and there we encamped three days: and I looked around at the people and the priests, and found there were none of the sons of Levi.
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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.
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And I gathered them together to the river that runneth to Ahava; and there we encamped three days; and I viewed the people, and the priests, and found there none of the sons of Levi.
Cross-references (9)
Passages linked to Ezra 8:15 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- Ezra 7:7 Some of the children of Israel, including some of the priests, the Levites, the singers, the gatekeepers, and the temple servants went up to Jerusalem in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king.
- Ezra 8:21 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a straight way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our possessions.
- Ezra 8:31 Then we departed from the river Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go to Jerusalem. The hand of our God was on us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy and the bandit by the way.
- Ezra 8:2 Of the sons of Phinehas, Gershom. Of the sons of Ithamar, Daniel. Of the sons of David, Hattush.
- Psalms 137:1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down. Yes, we wept, when we remembered Zion.
- Ezekiel 3:15 Then I came to them of the captivity at Tel Aviv, that lived by the river Chebar, and to where they lived; and I sat there overwhelmed among them seven days.
- Ezekiel 1:1 Now in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river Chebar, the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.
- Acts 16:13 On the Sabbath day we went outside of the city by a riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together.
- Ezra 7:24 Also we inform you that it shall not be lawful to impose tribute, custom, or toll, on any of the priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, temple servants, or laborers of this house of God.
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this verse (16 sources)
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain To that place of Euphrates, where Ahava the river…
To that place of Euphrates, where Ahava the river entereth into it.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain Ezr 8:15 And I gathered them together to the…
Ezr 8:15 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.
Ver. 15. And I gathered them together to the river] There was their first rendezvous, at the meeting of two rivers; whereof that country was full, Psa 137:1, and therefore fertile as the garden of the Lord, whereof it was a part, as most geographers are of opinion.
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And there abode we in tents] Glad we had our faces set toward Zion (going weeping, &c., Jer 50:4-5), and our backs upon Babylon; of which we might well say, as the philosopher afterwards did of Athens, that it was a pleasant place to travel through, but not safe to dwell in.
And found there none of the sons of Levi] None but what he afterwards sent for, no volunteers; this was lamentable, that Levites should be so backward to so good a business. Here was nomen inane, crimen immane. missing name, enormous crime.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain The river that runneth to Ahava; or,
The river that runneth to Ahava; or,
the river of Ahava, as it is called, Ezr 8:21,31. By comparing of these places, it seems that Ahava was the name both of the river, and of the town or place by which it ran. Either this was that river which other writers call Adiava, which runs to Assyria, which thence is called Adiabene; or some other river running into Euphrates.
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None of the sons of Levi, to wit, who were simple Levites, and not priests. And therefore the Levites, mentioned Ezr 7:7, by anticipation, were not yet come to him.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain And I gathered them together to the river that…
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 Ezr 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:
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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.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain Of Levi - None who were simple Levites, and…
Of Levi - None who were simple Levites, and not the priests. And therefore the Levites mentioned, chap. vii, 7, by anticipation were not yet come to him.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain Verse 15. The river that runneth to Ahava] Ahava…
Verse 15. The river that runneth to Ahava] Ahava was a river itself, which is supposed to be the same that is called Diava or Adiava, in the province of Adiabene; and perhaps the place whence the people of Ava came who were brought by the king of Assyria to Palestine, 2Kg 17:24.
None of the sons of Levi.] None that were simply Levites. He found priests, and they were sons of Levi; but no Levites that were not priests.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain Ezr 8:15. To the river that runneth to Ahava…
Ezr 8:15. To the river that runneth to Ahava — Or the river of Ahava, as it is called, Ezr 8:21; Ezr 8:31. By comparing of these places, it seems that Ahava was the name both of the river and of the town or place by which it ran. Either this was that river of Assyria, which other writers call Adiava, or Diava, which ran along the Adiabene, upon which Ptolemy places the city of Abane, or Aavane; or some other river which ran into the Euphrates. Here, some imagine, was the country which (2Ki 17:24) is called Ava, from whence the king of Assyria translated the people called Avites into Palestine, and in their room settled some of the captive Israelites. It was a common thing for those who travelled from Babylon to Jerusalem, in order to avoid the scorching heat of the desert of Arabia, to shape their course northward at first, and then turning westward, to pass through Syria into Palestine. But Ezra had a further reason for his taking this route; for, as he intended to get together as many Israelites as he could, to carry along with him to Jerusalem, he took his course this way, and made a halt in the country of Ava, or Ahava, from whence he might send emissaries, to a place afterward mentioned, to invite such Jews as were there to come and join him. See Calmet’s Dict. on the word Ahava. And found there none of the sons of Levi — To wit, who were simple Levites, and not priests; and therefore the Levites mentioned Ezr 7:7, by anticipation, were not yet come to him.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain Ahava was both a town and a river Ezr…
Ahava was both a town and a river Ezr 8:21. The modern name of the place is Hit. It is famous for its bitumen springs, and is situated on the Euphrates, at a distance of about 80 miles from Babylon, toward the northwest.
None of the sons of Levi - The Levites appear to have been disinclined to return to Jerusalem (see Ezr 3:8 note).
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain Ahava. This river (ver. 21., and 31.) runs through…
Ahava. This river (ver. 21., and 31.) runs through the territory of the same name, called Hava; (4 Kings xvii. 24.) the people of which exchanged places with the Israelites. Esdras makes a circuit to prevail on some of the latter to return with him, unless he began his journey from Susa. Babylon comprises all that country. (Calmet) --- None there, who were not priests, ver. 2. (Lyranus) (Menochius)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain HE SENDS TO IDDO FOR MINISTERS FOR THE TEMPLE…
HE SENDS TO IDDO FOR MINISTERS FOR THE TEMPLE SERVICE. (Ezr 8:15-20)
I gathered them together to the river that runneth to Ahava--This river has not been ascertained. It is probable that the Ahava was one of the streams or numerous canals of Mesopotamia communicating with the Euphrates [Cyclopædia of Biblical Literature]. But it was certainly in Babylonia on the banks of that stream; and perhaps the place appointed for general rendezvous was in the neighborhood of a town of the same name. The emigrants encamped there for three days, according to Oriental custom, while the preparations for the departure were being completed and Ezra was arranging the order of the caravan.
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I . . . found there none of the sons of Levi--that is, the ordinary Levites. Notwithstanding the privilege of exemption from all taxes granted to persons engaged in the temple service, none of the Levitical tribes were induced to join the settlement in Jerusalem; and it was even not without difficulty Ezra persuaded some of the priestly families to accompany him.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain THE GATHERING AND PREPARATIONS AT THE RIVER THAT RUNNETH…
THE GATHERING AND PREPARATIONS AT THE RIVER THAT RUNNETH TO AHAVA, Ezr_8:15-20.
15. The river that runneth to Ahava — So that Ahava was not the name of the river, but the place to which or near which the river ran. It was probably the same as the Ava or Ivah of 2Ki_17:24; 2Ki_18:34; and the river is to be understood of the Euphrates at that spot, or, what is more probable, some canal or small stream that flowed into the Euphrates at that place. Ahava, or Ava, was situated in the northern part of Babylonia, and is represented by the modern Hit. See note on 2Ki_17:24.
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None of the sons of Levi — That is, none of the Levites as distinguished from the priests. All the priests were sons of Levi, but all the sons of Levi were not priests. The priests were confined to the descendants of Aaron, (through Phinehas and Ithamar of Ezr_8:2.) The Levites proper were descendants of other sons of Levi. See the genealogy of 1 Chronicles 6.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain (b) 15–20. The Encampment of Ahava; the Absence of…
(b) 15–20. The Encampment of Ahava; the Absence of Levites
15. The Rendezvous
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15. the river that runneth to Ahava] ‘Ahava’ is here the name of a place, which seems to have also given its name to the river. Ewald conjectured that the river Ahava (or Peleg-Ahava) was to be identified with the Palacopas, which flowed S. of Babylon. Rawlinson identifies with the river Is mentioned by Herodotus (i. 179) flowing from the E. into the Euphrates at a point, where stood a town of the same name (the modern Hit), an eight days’ journey distant from Babylon. He points out that a well-known town upon the line of march would be a likely spot for a halting-place.
We do not however gather from the verse that Ezra’s march had actually begun. The rendezvous at Ahava enabled Ezra to make the necessary preliminary review of his large company. It is hardly likely that this first review would be held at a great distance from Babylon, where the great majority of the Jews were settled. On the other hand it is equally unlikely that a gathering of 1500 men and of a caravan which must have comprised 7000 or 8000 souls would have met within the walls of Babylon.
The conjecture therefore that the Ahava was one of the many canals or artificial rivers in the vicinity of Babylon, appears to be the most probable. Perhaps there was a specially influential settlement of Jews on the banks of the Ahava, as there had been once on the banks of the Chebar (cf. Eze_1:1 &c.). For purposes of lustration the pious Jews may have met with special frequency by the banks of rivers (cf. the proseuchæ and synagogues of later times), “By the rivers of Babylon,” (Psa_137:1). See Act_16:13.
1Es_8:41 renders by ‘a river called Theras’ (ἐπὶ τὸν λεγόμενον Θερὰν πόταμον). The LXX. gives πρὸς τὸν Εὐί (Ezr_8:21 Ἀουέ).
abode we in tents] R.V. we encamped. The three days’ encampment preceded the final move. The short interval was employed by Ezra in securing the services of Levites. As the camp was struck and the march begun on the 12th day (see Ezr_8:31), the encampment lasted from the 9th to the 12th. Ezra’s preparations were begun on the 1st day (see Ezr_7:9 and note).
I viewed] i.e. gave attention to. The same word occurs in Neh_13:7, “I came to Jerusalem and understood of the evil.” Cf. Pro_7:7, “I discerned among the youths”. Job_42:3; Dan_12:8.
the people, and the priests] i.e. the laity (cf. Ezr_2:2), and the priests.
and found there none of the sons of Levi] On the occasion of Zerubbabel’s journey from Babylon, only seventy-four Levites accompanied him, although over four thousand priests returned (cf. Ezr_2:36, &c.). The backwardness of the Levites to join in the return to the Temple-worship is probably to be explained by their having been especially concerned in (a) the worship at the high places, (b) the idolatrous forms of worship, which the reformation of Josiah had sought to abolish. See Introduction § 7. iv. C.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain (15) Ahava.—Both river and town. Nine days’ journey brought…
(15) Ahava.—Both river and town. Nine days’ journey brought them thither; and there is a place now called Hit, about eighty miles from Babylon, which has been identified with it.
None of the sons of Levi.—Only seventy-four had returned with Zerubbabel (Ezr_2:40); and hero we have evidence that the disinclination continued. The importance of Levitcal service in the Temple accounts for the anxiety of Ezra.
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(15-31) The journey through Ahava to Jerusalem.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain I gathered them together to the river that runneth…
I gathered them together to the river that runneth to Ahava. The "river that runneth to Ahava" is now generally identified with the Is of Herodotus (i. 179), a small stream flowing into the Euphrates from the east, at a point where stood a city of the same name, distant (according to Herodotus) eight days" journey from Babylon. The city appears to be mentioned under the slightly variant forms of Ava (aW) and Ivah (hWi) in the Second Book of Kings. (2Ki_17:24 2Ki_19:13) It is called Aia, or Aba, by the LXX; Ihi in the Talmud; Aei by Isidore of Charax. The modern name is Hit. The town has always been one of some importance in connection with the bitumen springs of the neighbourhood. Ezra s reason for selecting the place as a halting-point seems to have been the fact that many Jews were settled in the district (see ver. 17). We abode in tents. A large caravan, like Ezra"s, even when it reached a town, would pitch its tents outside, and remain in them rather than scatter itself among the khans and caravanserais. The phrase is therefore to be understood literally. I viewed the people. Rather, "I looked among the people I looked to see whether there were any Levites or no. ("Quaesivi in populo et in sacerdotibus de filiis Levi. Vulg.) And found there none of the sons of Levi. It is difficult to account for the fact; but there seems certainly to have been a special disinclination to return to Jerusalem on the part of the Levites. Only seventy-four went up with Zerubbabel, when the priests who returned were 4289; (Ezr_2:36-40) and now there was not a single one in the whole of Ezra"s band. Did the jealous spirit of Korah (Num_16:8-10) still animate the great body of the tribe?
HOMILIES BY J.A. MACDONALD
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Vers. 15-20.
The halt at the Ahava.
The journey of the children of Israel from Babylon to Jerusalem may be viewed, like that of their fathers from Egypt to Canaan, as a type of the pilgrimage of Christians from the abominations and miseries of the sinful world to the purity and happiness of heaven. In this view the halt at the "river that runneth to Ahava" may suggest
I THAT WE SHOULD HAVE SEASONS FOR REELECTION.
1. The halt furnished Ezra with such a season.
(1) It gave him an opportunity for "viewing the people and the priests." His purpose was to see how the company he conducted would be useful in recruiting the colony at Jerusalem. Christians should consider of what service may they be to the Church of the firstborn in heaven.
(2) The value of service is measured by sympathy with its purposes. Therefore we should cultivate fellowship with God and with the purest and noblest of his people.
2. The review discovered to Ezra a want of Levites in the company.
(1) There were priests there who were Levites. But the priests had functions of their own distinct from those of the Levites who were not of the family of Aaron.
(2) There were no Levites who were not priests. These too had their own proper functions.
(3) As in Jerusalem there was work for every order of sacred person, so should there be in the Church. So will there be in Jerusalem above. Query Do we, as Ezra did, reflect upon the needs of God"s Church? Is God"scause ours, as it was his?
II THAT REFLECTION SHOULD LEAD TO ACTION.
1. Ezra resolved upon a mission.
(1) There were Levites still in Babylon. So are there Christians mingled with the communities of Antichrist.
(2) The Levites were congregated at Casiphia. This word comes from a root which denotes silver. Some think Casiphia meant the Caspian Mountains, in the silver mines of which these Levites were working. Others construe it to mean Silver Street, possibly some bazaar in Babylon in which silversmiths conducted trade. How characteristic of the sons of Levi to be where precious metals are exchanged!
2. The mission he resolved upon he organised.
(1) He chose "chief men" for his missionaries. If Providence has given men high social position, its influence should be devoted to the ministry of his message.
(2) He also summoned "men of understanding." The world should not so monopolise the talent of our sons that only the refuse, the imbeciles, are given to the Church. There is scope in the message of God for the greatest ability.
(3) "Men of understanding" here are not only those of good natural parts, but those who are skilled in the teaching of God"s law. (Neh_10:28, Neh_10:29)
3. He then instructed his missioners.
(1) He sent them "with commandment unto Iddo, the chief at the place of Casiphia." Calls to the service of God come with authority. Ministers of the gospel are ambassadors for Christ. (2Co_5:20)
(2) He sent them with arguments. He "put words into their mouths." The import of the words is suggested in the end to be accomplished, viz., "that they should bring unto us ministers for the house of God." Surely the service of God in his house is far more important than the trade in Silver Street.
III THAT WELL-DIRECTED EFFORT WILL INSURE SUCCESS.
1. The missioners returned, having gained over a man of understanding.
(1) This achievement is put in the forefront. This son of Mahli was evidently a great acquisition to Ezra.
(2) A man of understanding is an acquisition to any cause. How valuable to the cause of order is the influence of such a one!
2. Thirty-eight Levites are next mentioned.
(1) The "man of understanding" is mentioned before Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and Jeshaiah, with their sons and brethren, perhaps because of the influence he may have exerted in bringing them over. A man is not only valuable for what he is, but for what he does.
(2) We have Sherebiah the Levite again mentioned amongst them that made religious confession of God"s goodness and their own wickedness. (Neh_9:5)
3. Then follow 220 Nethinims.
(1) Here is an acquisition for which Ezra had not asked. God does for us more than we ask (1Co_2:9; Eph_3:20)
(2) All success is from God. Ezra recognised this (ver. 18). Let us follow his good example. J.A.M.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 General Information:
General Information:
The word "I" in chapter 8 refers to Ezra. He is the author.
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General Information:
Verse 16 contains a list of men's names. (See: How to Translate Names)
the canal that goes to Ahava
Possible meanings are that the "canal" was 1) a waterway that men built or 2) an ordinary river. It can be translated in a more general way. AT: "the waterway that flows to Ahava"
Ahava
This is the name of a place (See: How to Translate Names)
Shemaiah
See how you translated this man's name in Esra 8:13.
Elnathan ... Elnathan ... Elnathan
There were apparently three men with the same name.
translationWords
people group
priest
descend
Levi
Zechariah (OT)
teacher
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 8:15 The Ahava Canal came off the Euphrates River…
8:15 The Ahava Canal came off the Euphrates River near Babylon. • not one Levite had volunteered: Only a few Levites had come earlier with Sheshbazzar (2:40). It is unclear why so few Levites returned to Jerusalem.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.