Ezra 8:15

Ezra Sends for the Levites · Ezra 8:15–20
Read Ezra 8

Translations

Modern
Now I assembled these exiles at the canal that flows to Ahava, and we camped there three days. And when I searched among the people and priests, I found no Levites there.
Traditional
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.
Literal
…and I gathered them to the river that flows to Ahava, and we camped there three days. And I considered about the people and the priests, and from the sons of Levi I found none there.
Latin
Congregavi autem eos ad fluvium qui decurrit ad Ahava, et mansimus ibi tribus diebus: quæsivique in populo et in sacerdotibus de filiis Levi, et non inveni ibi.

Original

Hebrew
English
Now I assembled these exiles at the canal that flows to Ahava, and we camped there three days. And when I searched among the people and priests, I found no Levites there.

Notes

  • The Ahava Canal branched off the Euphrates River near Babylon.

  • I found no Levites there: Only a few Levites had come earlier with Sheshbazzar (Ezra 2:40). The reason why so few Levites returned to Jerusalem is unclear.

Theme notes and profiles

Ezra

People

Levi: Son of Jacob; progenitor of the Levites

Places

Ahava: A place where Ezra assembled the returning exiles

Glossary

Ahava Book of Ezra First Book of Esdras Genealogy Zechariah (Person)

Topics

Ahava: A River of Babylon Genealogy of the Jews Who Returned from the Captivity Rivers of Ahava