Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, for Elnathan, for Jarib, for Elnathan, for Nathan, for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Joiarib and for Elnathan, who were teachers. I sent them out to Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia; and I told them what they should tell Iddo, and his brothers the temple servants, at the place Casiphia, that they should bring to us ministers for the house of our God. According to the good hand of our God on us they brought us a man of discretion, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel; and Sherebiah, with his sons and his brothers, eighteen; and Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, his brothers and their sons, twenty; and of the temple servants, whom David and the princes had given for the service of the Levites, two hundred twenty temple servants. All of them were mentioned by name.
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Ezra 8:16-20 sits inside this longer paragraph.
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. Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, for Elnathan, for Jarib, for Elnathan, for Nathan, for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Joiarib and for Elnathan, who were teachers. I sent them out to Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia; and I told them what they should tell Iddo, and his brothers the temple servants, at the place Casiphia, that they should bring to us ministers for the house of our God. According to the good hand of our God on us they brought us a man of discretion, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel; and Sherebiah, with his sons and his brothers, eighteen; and Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, his brothers and their sons, twenty; and of the temple servants, whom David and the princes had given for the service of the Levites, two hundred twenty temple servants. All of them were mentioned by name.
Parallel Translations
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Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, for Elnathan, for Jarib, for Elnathan, for Nathan, for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Joiarib and for Elnathan, who were teachers.
I sent them out to Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia; and I told them what they should tell Iddo, and his brothers the temple servants, at the place Casiphia, that they should bring to us ministers for the house of our God.
According to the good hand of our God on us they brought us a man of discretion, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel; and Sherebiah, with his sons and his brothers, eighteen;
and Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, his brothers and their sons, twenty;
and of the temple servants, whom David and the princes had given for the service of the Levites, two hundred twenty temple servants. All of them were mentioned by name.
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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.
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.
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;
And Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, his brethren and their sons, twenty;
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.
Show all 3 translations
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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, teachers.
And I gave them commandment unto Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia; and I told them what they should say unto Iddo and his brother, who were set over the place Casiphia, that they should bring unto us ministers for the house of our God.
And according to the good hand of our God upon us they brought us a man of discretion, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel; and Sherebiah, with his sons and his brethren, eighteen;
and Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, his brethren and their sons, twenty;
and of the Nethinim, whom David and the princes had given for the service of the Levites, two hundred and twenty Nethinim; all of them were mentioned by name.
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Questions where the Bible appears to say two different things, with the passages on each side set together.
Cross-references (55)
- Ezra 2:43 (vv17, 20) The temple servants: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth,
- Ezra 7:7 (vv17, 20) Some of the children of Israel, including some of the priests, the Levites, the singers, the gatekeepers, and the temple servants went up…
- Ezra 7:28 (v18) and has extended loving kindness to me before the king and his counselors, and before all the king’s mighty princes. I was strengthened…
- Nehemiah 2:8 (v18) and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple,…
- Jeremiah 3:15 (v18) I will give you shepherds according to my heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.
Show all 52 cross-references
- 1 Chronicles 6:19 (vv18–19) The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their fathers’ households.
- 1 Chronicles 6:1 (v19) The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
- 1 Chronicles 6:16 (v19) The sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.
- 1 Chronicles 9:2 (v20) Now the first inhabitants who lived in their possessions in their cities were Israel, the priests, the Levites, and the temple servants.
- Ezra 7:6 (v18) this Ezra went up from Babylon. He was a skilled scribe in the law of Moses, which Yahweh, the God of Israel, had given; and the king…
- Ezra 8:22 (v18) For I was ashamed to ask of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy on the way, because we had spoken to the…
- Daniel 1:20 (v18) In every matter of wisdom and understanding, concerning which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the…
- Exodus 4:15 (v17) You shall speak to him, and put the words in his mouth. I will be with your mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what you shall do.
- Numbers 3:20 (v18) The sons of Merari by their families: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their fathers’ houses.
- Numbers 8:22-26 (v17) After that, the Levites went in to do their service in the Tent of Meeting before Aaron and before his sons: as Yahweh had commanded Moses…
- Numbers 18:6 (v17) Behold, I myself have taken your brothers the Levites from among the children of Israel. They are a gift to you, dedicated to Yahweh, to do…
- Deuteronomy 18:18 (v17) I will raise them up a prophet from among their brothers, like you. I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I…
- 2 Samuel 14:3 (v17) Go in to the king, and speak like this to him.” So Joab put the words in her mouth.
- 2 Samuel 14:19 (v17) The king said, “Is the hand of Joab with you in all this?” The woman answered, “As your soul lives, my lord the king, no one can turn to…
- 1 Kings 3:11 (v16) God said to him, “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked for yourself long life, nor have you asked for riches for yourself,…
- 1 Chronicles 12:32 (v16) Of the children of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their heads were two hundred; and all…
- 1 Chronicles 23:3-6 (v17) The Levites were counted from thirty years old and upward; and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty-eight thousand. David…
- 1 Chronicles 23:26-32 (v17) Also the Levites will no longer need to carry the tabernacle and all its vessels for its service.” For by the last words of David the sons…
- 1 Chronicles 26:14 (v16) The lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counselor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward.
- 2 Chronicles 2:12 (v16) Huram continued, “Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel, who made heaven and earth, who has given to David the king a wise son, endowed with…
- Ezra 2:58 (v17) All the temple servants, and the children of Solomon’s servants, were three hundred ninety-two.
- Ezra 8:13 (v16) Of the sons of Adonikam, who were the last; and these are their names: Eliphelet, Jeuel, and Shemaiah; and with them sixty males.
- Ezra 8:16 (v18) Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, for Elnathan, for Jarib, for Elnathan, for Nathan, for Zechariah, and for Meshullam,…
- Ezra 8:17 (v20) I sent them out to Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia; and I told them what they should tell Iddo, and his brothers the temple servants,…
- Ezra 8:18 (v16) According to the good hand of our God on us they brought us a man of discretion, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel;…
- Ezra 8:24 (v18) Then I set apart twelve of the chiefs of the priests, even Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brothers with them,
- Ezra 10:21 (v16) Of the sons of Harim: Maaseiah, and Elijah, and Shemaiah, and Jehiel, and Uzziah.
- Ezra 10:39 (v16) and Shelemiah, and Nathan, and Adaiah,
- Nehemiah 3:17 (v19) After him, the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani made repairs. Next to him, Hashabiah, the ruler of half the district of Keilah, made repairs…
- Nehemiah 8:7 (v18) Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused…
- Nehemiah 9:4-5 (v18) Then Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani of the Levites stood up on the stairs, and cried with a loud…
- Nehemiah 10:11 (v19) Mica, Rehob, Hashabiah,
- Nehemiah 10:12 (v18) Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah,
- Nehemiah 12:24 (v18) The chiefs of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brothers close to them, to praise and give…
- Proverbs 2:6 (v16) For Yahweh gives wisdom. Out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.
- Proverbs 3:6 (v18) In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
- Proverbs 20:5 (v16) Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.
- Proverbs 24:3 (v18) Through wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established;
- Proverbs 28:2 (v16) In rebellion, a land has many rulers, but order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge.
- Jeremiah 1:9 (v17) Then Yahweh stretched out his hand, and touched my mouth. Then Yahweh said to me, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.
- Jeremiah 15:19 (v17) Therefore Yahweh says, “If you return, then I will bring you again, that you may stand before me; and if you take out the precious from the…
- Daniel 2:21 (v16) He changes the times and the seasons. He removes kings, and sets up kings. He gives wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to those who have…
- 1 Corinthians 14:20 (v18) Brothers, don’t be children in thoughts, yet in malice be babies, but in thoughts be mature.
- Philippians 4:3 (v20) Yes, I beg you also, true partner, help these women, for they labored with me in the Good News with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow…
- 2 Timothy 2:7 (v16) Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.
- Titus 1:5 (v17) I left you in Crete for this reason, that you would set in order the things that were lacking and appoint elders in every city, as I…
- 1 John 5:20 (v16) We know that the Son of God has come, and has given us an understanding, that we know him who is true, and we are in him who is true, in…
52 distinct cross-references across this passage (55 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (16 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv17, 20 Hebrew, put words in their mouth.
Hebrew, put words in their mouth.
He was the chiefest that taught there the Law of God unto the Levites.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv16–20 Ezr 8:16 Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel,…
Ezr 8:16 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.
Ver. 16. Men of understanding] Of special note for their wisdom and eloquence; such as could present to the people good matter well habited, and could well express their expositions of the law, being themselves wise, and willing to wise others, as the Hebrew word signifieth, Dan 12:3. Men of understanding, and ready to instruct many, Dan 11:33. Such a man as this is worth his weight in gold,
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 On vv16, 17, 20 Then sent I for Eliezer to come to me,…
Then sent I for Eliezer to come to me, and go along with me to Jerusalem. Men of understanding; who seem to have had more knowledge than pious zeal for God and his house and solemn worship, which was confined to Jerusalem.
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 On vv16–20 Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah,…
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. These were all in the camp, in some part of it, to whom Ezra sent messengers to come unto him; three of them are of the same name; the first nine were men of chief note, rank, and dignity in their family, and the other two were noted for men of good sense, and that could speak to a case well, and so fit to be sent on such an affair as they were.
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. These were all in the camp, in some part of it, to whom Ezra sent messengers to come unto him; three of them are of the same name; the first nine were men of chief note, rank, and dignity in their family, and the other two were noted for men of good sense, and that could speak to a case well, and so fit to be sent on such an affair as they were.
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Ezra 8:17
ezr 8:17
ezr 8:17
ezr 8:17And I sent them with commandment unto Iddo the chief, at the place Casiphia,.... Not a place by the Caspian sea, and near the Caspian mountains, as Munster, which was too far off to go and return in the time they must, see Ezr 7:9, but, as Jarchi, a place in Babylon so called, a village near it, or a parish or street in it, where Ezra knew lived many of the Levites and Nethinims, and where Iddo was the chief of the Levites, and over them both:
and I told them what they should say unto Iddo, and to his brethren the Nethinims, at the place Casiphia; but Iddo was not one of the Nethinims; for he was chief of the Levites, and by his authority many of them were sent as well as of the Nethinims; but none of the latter were over the Levites, for they were servants to them, Ezr 8:20, but, according to Jarchi, the Nethinims are not at all intended in this clause, who reads the words:
to Iddo and Achim, (the name of a man with him; perhaps it may be better rendered, "to Iddo and his brother",)
who were appointed, or settled, in the place Casiphia; and with him De Dieu agrees, and so the Syriac version:
who dwelt in Casiphia: that they should bring unto us ministers for the house of our God; both Levites to be singers and porters there, and the Nethinims to wait on them.
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 On v18 By the good hand - If where ministers have…
By the good hand - If where ministers have been wanting, the vacancies are well supplied, let us ascribe it to the good hand of God, qualifying them for the service, inclining them to it, and opening a door for them.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On v17 Verse 17. At the place Casiphia] The most judicious…
Verse 17. At the place Casiphia] The most judicious commentators are agreed that by Casiphia, the Caspian mountains, between Media and Hyrcania, are intended; where, probably, the Nethinim were employed in working silver mines: כסף keseph, from which the word comes, signifies silver.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv16, 17, 18, 20 Ezr 8:16. Then sent I for Eliezer, &c. —…
Ezr 8:16. Then sent I for Eliezer, &c. — To come to me, and go along with me to Jerusalem. He sent for these eleven persons, that he might employ them in a message to a place where he knew there were a great many Levites, as it follows in the next verse. Also for Joiarib and Elnathan, men of understanding — Who seem to have had more knowledge than pious zeal for God and his house, and solemn worship, which was confined to Jerusalem.
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 On vv17–18 Casiphia - Its situation is wholly unknown; but it…
Casiphia - Its situation is wholly unknown; but it cannot have been far from Ahava.
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 On vv16–17 Sent. Septuagint, "&c., "to Eliezer," &c., in order to…
Sent. Septuagint, "&c., "to Eliezer," &c., in order to give them his orders what to say to Eddo, who presided at Chasphia, as the sequel shews. --- Wise men, instructors of the people, (2 Paralipomenon xxxv. 3.; Calmet) Levites. (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 On v16 then sent I for Eliezer . . . with…
then sent I for Eliezer . . . with commandment unto Iddo the chief--Ezra sent this deputation, either by virtue of authority which by his priestly character he had over the Levites, or of the royal commission with which he was invested. The deputation was despatched to Iddo, who was a prince or chief of the Nethinims--for the Persian government allowed the Hebrews during their exile to retain their ecclesiastical government by their own chiefs, as well as to enjoy the privilege of free worship. Iddo's influence procured and brought to the camp at Ahava thirty-eight Levites, and two hundred twenty Nethinims, the descendants of the Gibeonites, who performed the servile duties of the temple.
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 On vv16–18 16. Eliezer… Ariel… chief men — These were principal…
16. Eliezer… Ariel… chief men — These were principal men among Ezra’s companions who had already assembled at Ahava, and whom he used as chief assistants. The nine first named are called chief men, probably from being the most distinguished and influential elders among them; the last two are distinguished as men of understanding, being skilled, probably, in the law, as Ezra was, and competent to instruct the people.
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 On vv16–20 16. Then sent I for Eliezer, &c.] “For”. (a)…
16. Then sent I for Eliezer, &c.] “For”. (a) The preposition in the original is sometimes found as the sign of the object: thus 2Ch_17:7, A.V., “he sent to his princes, even to Ben-hail”, R.V. “he sent his princes, even Benhail”, &c. This is the alternative rendering (“then sent I Eliezer”) of the Vulgate (misi Eliezer et Ariel et Semejam, &c.) and the Syriac, and gives the most natural sense. Ezr_8:16 then gives the general fact, Ezr_8:17 the details of the mission. (b) The rendering of the A.V., R.V. and LXX. (απέστειλα τῷ Ἐλεάζαρ) is quite literal: Ezr_8:16 then contains Ezra’s summons to these leading men: Ezr_8:17 the mission, with which he empowers them, upon their coming into his presence. Of these two renderings the first seems to give the better sense. It hardly seems suited to the context to mention that Ezra, who commanded the whole assembly, summoned to his presence certain leading men before sending them upon an important mission. On the other hand it was quite in keeping with Ezra’s position to despatch such men upon his errand at once; and while the first verse (Ezr_8:16) records the fact of the message and the names of the leading men, whom he sends, the second verse (Ezr_8:17) describes the object and purpose of the mission. The peculiar usage of the preposition is quite in character with the style of the Hebrew in the books. The probability that this is the correct rendering is increased by the variation in the reading of Ezr_8:17 (see note).
chief men] Literally ‘heads’: not ‘the heads’ referred to in Ezr_8:1, but certain leaders.
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men of understanding] R.V. which were teachers. Marg. which had understanding. The word in the original occurs in Neh_8:7 (R.V. ‘caused … to understand’); 1Ch_15:22; 1Ch_25:7 (R.V. ‘skilful’); 2Ch_34:12 (R.V. ‘that … could skill of’).
Joiarib and Elnathan receive a distinguishing epithet corresponding to the ‘chief men’ applied to the other names. It is not probable that a merely general epithet describing mental capacity should be given to two out of the party of ten. The word therefore is better rendered “teachers”, describing their position, than ‘men of understanding’, describing their abilities (LXX. συνιέντας, Vulg. sapientes).
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 On vv16, 17, 18, 20 (16) Men of understanding.—Teachers, and perhaps priests. These were…
(16) Men of understanding.—Teachers, and perhaps priests. These were joined with nine chief men as a deputation to Iddo.
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 On vv17, 18, 20 Iddo, the chief at the place Casiphia. Not "the…
Iddo, the chief at the place Casiphia. Not "the Caspian" certainly; nor even "Casvin," which is at least 400 miles from Hit by the nearest route, but some Babylonian village in the vicinity of Ahava, not otherwise known to us. Unto Iddo, and to his brethren the Nethinims. The "and" here is rightly supplied. It has fallen out in consequence of the word Iddo ending with the same letter. Iddo, though the head man of the village under the Persians, belonged by descent to the comparatively low grade of the Nethinims.
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 On vv17–18 This is a man's name. (See: How to Translate…
Iddo
This is a man's name. (See: How to Translate Names)
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Next I sent them to Iddo
The word "them" refers to the nine leaders and two teachers written about in Esra 8:16. AT: "Next I sent those men to Iddo" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
Kasiphia
This is the name of a place. (See: How to Translate Names)
I told them what to say to Iddo ... that is, to send to us servants for the house of God
The words "that is" introduces what he told them to say. AT: "I told them to tell Iddo ... to send us servants for the house of God"
translationWords
temple
servant
house of God
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 On vv16, 18, 20 8:16-17 The Hebrew term translated men of discernment refers…
8:16-17 The Hebrew term translated men of discernment refers to those who could interpret and explain the Torah. These men were probably respected because of their expertise in Scripture (cp. Neh 8:8-9). Ezra commissioned them to use their influence to recruit more Levites.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.