Ezra 8:17
What does Ezra 8:17 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 8:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 8:17 means
Ezra dispatches these delegates to Iddo, the chief at Casiphia, instructing them what to say to Iddo and his brothers the Nethinim, so that they would send ministers for the house of God. This indicates there was a known community of Levites and Nethinim in or around Casiphia, and that Ezra respected established leadership structures. He provides clear directives, aligning the request with the purpose: temple service. The appeal is not for mere numbers but for qualified ministers. Ezra’s approach models collaboration within the wider dispersed community, seeking help from those positioned to supply the needed servants.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And I sent them forth unto Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia; and I told them what they should say unto Iddo, and his brethren the Nethinim, at the place Casiphia, that they should bring unto us ministers for the house of our God.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And I sent them forth unto Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia; and I told them what they should say unto Iddo, and his brethren the Nethinim, at the place Casiphia, that they should bring unto us ministers for the house of our God.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And I sent them to Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia, and gave them orders what to say to Iddo and his brothers the Nethinim at the place Casiphia, so that they might come back to us with men to do the work of the house of our God.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and I charge them for Iddo the head, in the place Casiphia, and put in their mouth words to speak unto Iddo, <FI>and<Fi> his brethren the Nethinim, in the place Casiphia, to bring to us ministrants for the house of our God.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And I sent them to Eddo, who is chief in the place of Chasphia, and I put in their mouth the words that they should speak to Eddo, and his brethren the Nathinites in the place of Chasphia, that they should bring us ministers of the house of our God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And I gave them a commission to Iddo the chief, at the place Casiphia, and I put words in their mouths to say to Iddo [and] his brethren the Nethinim, at the place Casiphia, that they should bring to us ministers for the house of ourGod.
Context
Verse 17 continues the recruitment effort begun in verse 16. Having assembled capable messengers, Ezra sends them with specific words to recognized leaders in Casiphia, aiming to secure Levites and Nethinim. The outcome will be recorded in verses 18–20 as an answer to God’s gracious hand. This successful recruitment will close the personnel gap, allowing the narrative to transition to a communal fast for protection (verses 21–23) and the solemn entrusting of valuable offerings to selected priests (verses 24–30) before departure (verse 31).
v.16Then 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, who were teachers.
v.17This passage
v.18And 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;
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Deuteronomy 18:18
I will raise them up a prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee; and I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
- 2 Samuel 14:19
And the king said, Is the hand of Joab with thee in all this? And the woman answered and said, As thy soul liveth, my lord the king, none can turn to the right hand or to the left from aught that my lord the king hath spoken; for thy servant Joab, he bade me, and he put all these words in the mouth of thy handmaid;
- Jeremiah 15:19
Therefore thus saith Jehovah, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, that thou mayest stand before me; and if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth: they shall return unto thee, but thou shalt not return unto them.
- 1 Chronicles 23:3
And the Levites were numbered from thirty years old and upward: and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty and eight thousand.
- Ezra 7:7
And there went up some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinim, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king.
- 1 Chronicles 23:26
and also the Levites shall no more have need to carry the tabernacle and all the vessels of it for the service thereof.