Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version I assembled them at the canal that flows toward Ahava, and we camped there three days. When I checked among the people and the priests, I found no Levites there. New Living Translation I assembled the exiles at the Ahava Canal, and we camped there for three days while I went over the lists of the people and the priests who had arrived. I found that not one Levite had volunteered to come along. English Standard Version I gathered them to the river that runs to Ahava, and there we camped three days. As I reviewed the people and the priests, I found there none of the sons of Levi. Berean Standard Bible 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. King James Bible 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. New King James Version Now I gathered them by the river that flows to Ahava, and we camped there three days. And I looked among the people and the priests, and found none of the sons of Levi there. New American Standard Bible Now I assembled them at the river that runs to Ahava, where we camped for three days; and when I paid close attention to the people and the priests, I did not find any Levites there. NASB 1995 Now I assembled them at the river that runs to Ahava, where we camped for three days; and when I observed the people and the priests, I did not find any Levites there. NASB 1977 Now I assembled them at the river that runs to Ahava, where we camped for three days; and when I observed the people and the priests, I did not find any Levites there. Legacy Standard Bible Now I gathered them at the river that runs to Ahava, where we camped for three days. And I observed the people and the priests, but I did not find any Levites there. Amplified Bible Now I gathered them together at the river that runs to Ahava, where we camped for three days. I observed the people and the priests, and I did not find any Levites there. Christian Standard Bible I gathered them at the river that flows to Ahava, and we camped there for three days. I searched among the people and priests, but found no Levites there. Holman Christian Standard Bible I gathered them at the river that flows to Ahava, and we camped there for three days. I searched among the people and priests, but found no Levites there. American Standard Version 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. Contemporary English Version I brought everyone together by the river that flows to the town of Ahava where we camped for three days. Not one Levite could be found among the people and priests. English Revised Version 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation I had this group gather by the river that flows to Ahava, and we camped there for three days. I noticed laypeople and priests there, but I didn't find any Levites. Good News Translation I assembled the entire group by the canal that runs to the town of Ahava, and we camped there three days. I found that there were priests in the group, but no Levites. International Standard Version I gathered them together at the river that flows toward Ahava, where we camped three days. Afterwards, I examined the people and the priests, but found no descendants of Levi there. Majority Standard Bible 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. NET Bible I had them assemble at the canal that flows toward Ahava, and we camped there for three days. I observed that the people and the priests were present, but I found no Levites there. New Heart English Bible I gathered them together to the river that runs to Ahava; and there we camped three days: and I viewed the people, and the priests, and found there none of the sons of Levi. Webster's Bible Translation And I assembled them at the river that runneth to Ahava; and there we abode in tents three days: and I viewed the people, and the priests, and found there none of the sons of Levi. World English Bible I gathered them together to the river that runs to Ahava; and there we encamped three days. Then I looked around at the people and the priests, and found there were none of the sons of Levi. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd I gather them to the river that is going to Ahava, and we encamp there three days; and I consider about the people, and about the priests, and of the sons of Levi I have found none there; Young's Literal Translation And I gather them unto the river that is going unto Ahava, and we encamp there three days; and I consider about the people, and about the priests, and of the sons of Levi I have found none there; Smith's Literal Translation And I shall gather them together to the river going to Ahava, and there we shall encamp three days: and I shall look upon the people and upon the priests, and from the sons of Levi I found not these. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd I gathered them together to the river, which runneth down to Ahava, and we stayed there three days: and I sought among the people and among the priests for the sons of Levi, and found none there. Catholic Public Domain Version Now I gathered them together at the river that runs down to Ahava, and we stayed there for three days. And I sought among the people and among the priests for the sons of Levi, and I found none there. New American Bible I assembled them by the river that flows toward Ahava, where we camped for three days. There I perceived that both laymen and priests were present, but I could not discover a single Levite. New Revised Standard Version I gathered them by the river that runs to Ahava, and there we camped three days. As I reviewed the people and the priests, I found there none of the descendants of Levi. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd I gathered them together to the river that runs to Hawa; and there we encamped three days; and I viewed the people and the priests, and found there none of the descendants of Levi. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And I gathered them to the river that comes to Hawa, and we camped there three days, and I inspected among the people and among the Priests of the children of Levi, and I found none there. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And 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. Brenton Septuagint Translation And I gathered them to the river that comes to Evi, and we encamped there three days: and I reviewed the people and the priests, and found none of the sons of Levi there. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Ezra Sends for the Levites15Now 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. 16Then I summoned the leaders: Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah, and Meshullam, as well as the teachers Joiarib and Elnathan.… Cross References Nehemiah 7:61-65 The following came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer, but they could not prove that their families were descended from Israel: / the descendants of Delaiah, the descendants of Tobiah, and the descendants of Nekoda, 642 in all. / And from among the priests: the descendants of Hobaiah, the descendants of Hakkoz, and the descendants of Barzillai (who had married a daughter of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name). ... Nehemiah 8:1-3 At that time all the people gathered together in the square before the Water Gate, and they asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded for Israel. / On the first day of the seventh month, Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could listen and understand. / So Ezra read it aloud from daybreak until noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate, in front of the men and women and those who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law. Nehemiah 12:1-26 Now these are the priests and Levites who went up with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and with Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, / Amariah, Malluch, Hattush, / Shecaniah, Rehum, Meremoth, ... 1 Chronicles 9:2-3 Now the first to resettle their own property in their cities were Israelites, priests, Levites, and temple servants. / Some of the descendants of Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh lived in Jerusalem: 1 Chronicles 23:3-6 The Levites thirty years of age or older were counted, and the total number of men was 38,000. / “Of these,” said David, “24,000 are to oversee the work of the house of the LORD, 6,000 are to be officers and judges, / 4,000 are to be gatekeepers, and 4,000 are to praise the LORD with the instruments I have made for giving praise.” ... 1 Chronicles 26:12-19 These divisions of the gatekeepers, through their chief men, had duties for ministering in the house of the LORD, just as their relatives did. / They cast lots for each gate, according to their families, young and old alike. / The lot for the East Gate fell to Shelemiah. Then lots were cast for his son Zechariah, a wise counselor, and the lot for the North Gate fell to him. ... 2 Chronicles 31:2-19 Hezekiah reestablished the divisions of the priests and Levites—each of them according to their duties as priests or Levites—for the burnt offerings and peace offerings, for ministry, for giving thanks, and for singing praises at the gates of the LORD’s dwelling. / The king contributed from his own possessions for the regular morning and evening burnt offerings and for the burnt offerings on the Sabbaths, New Moons, and appointed feasts, as written in the Law of the LORD. / Moreover, he commanded the people living in Jerusalem to make a contribution for the priests and Levites so that they could devote themselves to the Law of the LORD. ... 2 Chronicles 35:3-6 To the Levites who taught all Israel and were holy to the LORD, Josiah said: “Put the holy ark in the temple built by Solomon son of David king of Israel. It is not to be carried around on your shoulders. Now serve the LORD your God and His people Israel. / Prepare yourselves by families in your divisions, according to the instructions written by David king of Israel and Solomon his son. / Moreover, stand in the Holy Place by the divisions of the families of your kinsmen the lay people, and by the divisions of the families of the Levites. ... Numbers 3:5-10 Then the LORD said to Moses, / “Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him. / They are to perform duties for him and for the whole congregation before the Tent of Meeting, attending to the service of the tabernacle. ... Numbers 8:14-19 In this way you shall separate the Levites from the rest of the Israelites, and the Levites will belong to Me. / After you have cleansed them and presented them as a wave offering, they may come to serve at the Tent of Meeting. / For the Levites have been wholly given to Me from among the sons of Israel. I have taken them for Myself in place of all who come first from the womb, the firstborn of all the sons of Israel. ... Numbers 18:1-7 So the LORD said to Aaron, “You and your sons and your father’s house must bear the iniquity involving the sanctuary. And you and your sons alone must bear the iniquity involving your priesthood. / But bring with you also your brothers from the tribe of Levi, the tribe of your father, that they may join you and assist you and your sons before the Tent of the Testimony. / And they shall attend to your duties and to all the duties of the Tent; but they must not come near to the furnishings of the sanctuary or the altar, or both they and you will die. ... Acts 6:1-6 In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. / So the Twelve summoned all the disciples and said, “It is unacceptable for us to neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. / Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will assign this responsibility to them ... Acts 13:1-3 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch), and Saul. / While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” / And after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off. Romans 15:16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 9:13-14 Do you not know that those who work in the temple eat of its food, and those who serve at the altar partake of its offerings? / In the same way, the Lord has prescribed that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. Treasury of Scripture And I gathered them together to the river that runs to Ahava; and there stayed we in tents three days: and I viewed the people, and the priests, and found there none of the sons of Levi. Ezra 8:6 Of the sons also of Adin; Ebed the son of Jonathan, and with him fifty males. Ezra 8:36 And they delivered the king's commissions unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors on this side the river: and they furthered the people, and the house of God. Psalm 137:1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. Ezekiel 1:1 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. Ezekiel 3:15 Then I came to them of the captivity at Telabib, that dwelt by the river of Chebar, and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days. Ahava Ezra 8:21,31 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance… abode. Ezra 8:2 Of the sons of Phinehas; Gershom: of the sons of Ithamar; Daniel: of the sons of David; Hattush. Ezra 7:7,24 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 Nethinims, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king… Jump to Previous Abode Ahava Assembled Camped Canal Checked Encamped Find Flowing Flows Found Gathered Levi Observed Priests River Runneth Runs Tents Three Together Viewed ViewingJump to Next Abode Ahava Assembled Camped Canal Checked Encamped Find Flowing Flows Found Gathered Levi Observed Priests River Runneth Runs Tents Three Together Viewed ViewingEzra 8 1. The companions of Ezra, who returned from Babylon15. He sends to Iddo for ministers for the temple 21. He keeps a fast 24. He commits the treasures to the custody of the priests 31. From Ahava they come to Jerusalem 33. The treasure is weighed in the temple 36. The commission is delivered I assembled them The Hebrew root for "assembled" is "קָבַץ" (qavats), which means to gather or collect. This action signifies a purposeful gathering, not just a casual meeting. Ezra, a scribe and leader, is taking deliberate steps to organize the people for their journey back to Jerusalem. This reflects the importance of community and leadership in fulfilling God's purposes. The act of assembling underscores the unity and preparation required for the task ahead. at the canal that flows toward Ahava and we camped there for three days And I searched among the people and priests but found no Levites there (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 (Ezra 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. Verse 15. -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 (1:179), 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 (עַוָּא) and Ivah (עִוָּה) in the Second Book of Kings (2 Kings 17:24; 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 (Ezra 2:36-40); and now there was not a single one in the whole of Ezra's band. Did the jealous spirit of Korah (Numbers 16:8-10) still animate the great body of the tribe? Hebrew Now I assembled [these exiles]וָֽאֶקְבְּצֵ֗ם (wā·’eq·bə·ṣêm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person masculine plural Strong's 6908: To gather, collect at אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to the canal הַנָּהָר֙ (han·nā·hār) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5104: A stream, prosperity that flows הַבָּ֣א (hab·bā) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go to אֶֽל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to Ahava, אַהֲוָ֔א (’a·hă·wā) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 163: Ahava -- a place and a stream in Babylon and we camped וַנַּחֲנֶ֥ה (wan·na·ḥă·neh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common plural Strong's 2583: To incline, to decline, to pitch a, tent, gen, to encamp there שָׁ֖ם (šām) Adverb Strong's 8033: There, then, thither three שְׁלֹשָׁ֑ה (šə·lō·šāh) Number - masculine singular Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice days. יָמִ֣ים (yā·mîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 3117: A day And when I searched וָאָבִ֤ינָה (wā·’ā·ḇî·nāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 995: To separate mentally, understand among the people בָעָם֙ (ḇā·‘ām) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock and priests, וּבַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים (ū·ḇak·kō·hă·nîm) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 3548: Priest I found מָצָ֥אתִי (mā·ṣā·ṯî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present no לֹא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no Levites וּמִבְּנֵ֥י (ū·mib·bə·nê) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son there. שָֽׁם׃ (šām) Adverb Strong's 8033: There, then, thither Links Ezra 8:15 NIVEzra 8:15 NLT Ezra 8:15 ESV Ezra 8:15 NASB Ezra 8:15 KJV Ezra 8:15 BibleApps.com Ezra 8:15 Biblia Paralela Ezra 8:15 Chinese Bible Ezra 8:15 French Bible Ezra 8:15 Catholic Bible OT History: Ezra 8:15 I gathered them together to the river (Ezr. 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