Ezra 8:17
New International Version
and I ordered them to go to Iddo, the leader in Kasiphia. I told them what to say to Iddo and his fellow Levites, the temple servants in Kasiphia, so that they might bring attendants to us for the house of our God.

New Living Translation
I sent them to Iddo, the leader of the Levites at Casiphia, to ask him and his relatives and the Temple servants to send us ministers for the Temple of God at Jerusalem.

English Standard Version
and sent them to Iddo, the leading man at the place Casiphia, telling them what to say to Iddo and his brothers and the temple servants at the place Casiphia, namely, to send us ministers for the house of our God.

Berean Standard Bible
And I sent them to Iddo, the leader at Casiphia, with a message for him and his kinsmen, the temple servants at Casiphia, that they should bring to us ministers for the house of our God.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And I gave them a command for Iddo the chief man at the place Casiphia, and I told them what they should say to Iddo and his brethren the Nethinim at the place Casiphia—that they should bring us servants for the house of our God.

New American Standard Bible
And I sent them to Iddo the leading man at the place called Casiphia; and I told them what to say to Iddo and his brothers, the temple servants at the place Casiphia, that is, to bring ministers to us for the house of our God.

NASB 1995
I sent them to Iddo the leading man at the place Casiphia; and I told them what to say to Iddo and his brothers, the temple servants at the place Casiphia, that is, to bring ministers to us for the house of our God.

NASB 1977
And I sent them to Iddo the leading man at the place Casiphia; and I told them what to say to Iddo and his brothers, the temple servants at the place Casiphia, that is, to bring ministers to us for the house of our God.

Legacy Standard Bible
I sent them out to Iddo the chief man at the place Casiphia; and I put words in their mouths to say to Iddo and his brothers, the temple servants at the place Casiphia, that is, to bring ministers to us for the house of our God.

Amplified Bible
And I sent them to Iddo, the leading man at the place Casiphia, telling them what to say to Iddo and his brothers, the temple servants at the place Casiphia, that is, to bring us servants (ministers) for the house of our God.

Christian Standard Bible
I sent them to Iddo, the leader at Casiphia, with a message for him and his brothers, the temple servants at Casiphia, that they should bring us ministers for the house of our God.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I sent them to Iddo, the leader at Casiphia, with a message for him and his brothers, the temple servants at Casiphia, that they should bring us ministers for the house of our God.

American Standard Version
And 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.

Contemporary English Version
Then I sent them to Iddo, the leader at Casiphia, and I told them to ask him and his temple workers to send people to serve in God's temple.

English Revised Version
And 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I sent them to Iddo, the leader in Casiphia. I told them to tell Iddo and his relatives, the temple servants in Casiphia, that they should bring us men who can serve in our God's temple.

Good News Translation
I sent them to Iddo, head of the community at Casiphia, to ask him and his associates, the Temple workers, to send us people to serve God in the Temple.

International Standard Version
I told them to go see Iddo, a leader of Casiphia, and tell him and his relatives (administrators of Casiphia) to bring us men who could serve in the Temple of our God.

Majority Standard Bible
And I sent them to Iddo, the leader at Casiphia, with a message for him and his kinsmen, the temple servants at Casiphia, that they should bring to us ministers for the house of our God.

NET Bible
I sent them to Iddo, who was the leader in the place called Casiphia. I told them what to say to Iddo and his relatives, who were the temple servants in Casiphia, so they would bring us attendants for the temple of our God.

New Heart English Bible
I sent them forth 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.

Webster's Bible Translation
And I sent them with commandment to Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia, and I told them what they should say to Iddo, and to his brethren the Nethinims, at the place Casiphia, that they should bring to us ministers for the house of our God.

World English Bible
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.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and I charge them for Iddo the head, in the place Casiphia, and put in their mouth words to speak to Iddo, [and] his brothers the Nethinim, in the place Casiphia, to bring to us servants for the house of our God.

Young's Literal Translation
and I charge them for Iddo the head, in the place Casiphia, and put in their mouth words to speak unto Iddo, and his brethren the Nethinim, in the place Casiphia, to bring to us ministrants for the house of our God.

Smith's Literal Translation
And I shall bring them forth to Iddo the head, with the silver of the place, and I shall set words in their mouth to speak to Iddo, his brethren the Nethinims, with the silver of the place, to bring to us those serving to the house of our God.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And 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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And I sent them to Iddo, who is first within the place of Casiphia. And I placed in their mouth the words that they should speak to Iddo and his brothers, the temple servants, in the place of Casiphia, so that they would lead to us ministers for the house of our God.

New American Bible
with a command for Iddo, the leader in the place Casiphia, instructing them what to say to Iddo and his kinsmen, and to the temple servants in Casiphia, in order to procure for us ministers for the house of our God.

New Revised Standard Version
and sent them to Iddo, the leader at the place called Casiphia, telling them what to say to Iddo and his colleagues the temple servants at Casiphia, namely, to send us ministers for the house of our God.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And I commanded them to go to Adai their chief who was at the place Casiphia, and I told them what they should say to Adai and to his brethren who were encamped at the place Casiphia, that they should bring to us ministers for the house of our God.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And I ordered them to Addi their Chief who was in the region Kaspia, and I put in their mouths an answer to speak with Hadi our brother, those who were dwelling in the region Kaspia, to bring to us ministers for the house of our God.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And I forwarded them to the rulers with the money of the place, and I put words in their mouth to speak to their brethren the Athinim with the money of the place, that they should bring us singers for the house of our God.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Ezra Sends for the Levites
16Then I summoned the leaders: Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah, and Meshullam, as well as the teachers Joiarib and Elnathan. 17And I sent them to Iddo, the leader at Casiphia, with a message for him and his kinsmen, the temple servants at Casiphia, that they should bring to us ministers for the house of our God. 18And since the gracious hand of our God was upon us, they brought us Sherebiah—a man of insight from the descendants of Mahli son of Levi, the son of Israel—along with his sons and brothers, 18 men;…

Cross References
Nehemiah 8:7-9
The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law as they stood in their places. / So they read from the Book of the Law of God, explaining it and giving insight, so that the people could understand what was being read. / Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all of them, “This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the Law.

1 Chronicles 9:13
and 1,760 of their relatives, the heads of their families, able men for the work of the service of the house of God.

2 Chronicles 29:34
However, since there were not enough priests to skin all the burnt offerings, their Levite brothers helped them until the work was finished and until the priests had consecrated themselves. For the Levites had been more diligent in consecrating themselves than the priests had been.

Nehemiah 12:8-9
The Levites were Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, who, with his associates, led the songs of thanksgiving. / Bakbukiah and Unni, their associates, stood across from them in the services.

1 Chronicles 15:16-22
David also told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their relatives as singers to lift up their voices with joy, accompanied by musical instruments—harps, lyres, and cymbals. / So the Levites appointed Heman son of Joel; from his brothers, Asaph son of Berechiah; from their brothers the Merarites, Ethan son of Kushaiah; / and with them their brothers next in rank: Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, and the gatekeepers Obed-edom and Jeiel. ...

2 Chronicles 31:13-15
Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismachiah, Mahath, and Benaiah were overseers under the authority of Conaniah and his brother Shimei, by appointment of King Hezekiah and of Azariah the chief official of the house of God. / Kore son of Imnah the Levite, the keeper of the East Gate, was in charge of the freewill offerings given to God, distributing the contributions to the LORD and the consecrated gifts. / Under his authority, Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah faithfully distributed portions to their fellow priests in their cities, according to their divisions, old and young alike.

Nehemiah 7:43-45
The Levites: the descendants of Jeshua (through Kadmiel, through the line of Hodevah), 74. / The singers: the descendants of Asaph, 148. / The gatekeepers: the descendants of Shallum, the descendants of Ater, the descendants of Talmon, the descendants of Akkub, the descendants of Hatita, and the descendants of Shobai, 138 in all.

1 Chronicles 23:4-5
“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.”

2 Chronicles 35:3-5
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.

Nehemiah 11:15-18
From the Levites: Shemaiah son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni; / Shabbethai and Jozabad, two leaders of the Levites, who supervised the work outside the house of God; / Mattaniah son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, who led in thanksgiving and prayer; Bakbukiah, second among his associates; and Abda son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun. ...

1 Chronicles 6:31-32
These are the men David put in charge of the music in the house of the LORD after the ark rested there. / They ministered with song before the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, until Solomon built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem. And they performed their duties according to the regulations given them.

2 Chronicles 8:14-15
In keeping with the ordinances of his father David, Solomon appointed the divisions of the priests over their service, and the Levites for their duties to offer praise and to minister before the priests according to the daily requirement. He also appointed gatekeepers by their divisions at each gate, for this had been the command of David, the man of God. / They did not turn aside from the king’s command regarding the priests or the Levites in any matter, including that of the treasuries.

Nehemiah 13:10-13
I also learned that because the portions for the Levites had not been given to them, all the Levites and singers responsible for performing the service had gone back to their own fields. / So I rebuked the officials and asked, “Why has the house of God been neglected?” Then I gathered the Levites and singers together and stationed them at their posts, / and all Judah brought a tenth of the grain, new wine, and oil into the storerooms. ...

1 Chronicles 25:1-7
Additionally, David and the commanders of the army set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals. The following is the list of the men who performed this service: / From the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah. These sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the direction of the king. / From the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah—six in all—under the direction of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with the harp, giving thanks and praise to the LORD. ...

2 Chronicles 23:18-19
Moreover, Jehoiada put the oversight of the house of the LORD into the hands of the Levitical priests, whom David had appointed over the house of the LORD, to offer burnt offerings to the LORD as written in the Law of Moses, with rejoicing and song, as ordained by David. / He stationed gatekeepers at the gates of the house of the LORD, so that no one who was in any way unclean could enter.


Treasury of Scripture

And I sent them with commandment to Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia, and I told them what they should say to Iddo, and to his brothers the Nethinims, at the place Casiphia, that they should bring to us ministers for the house of our God.

Ezra 7:9
For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him.

I told them.

Exodus 4:15
And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do.

Deuteronomy 18:18
I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.

2 Samuel 14:3,19
And come to the king, and speak on this manner unto him. So Joab put the words in her mouth…

the Nethinims

Ezra 2:43,58
The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth, …

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 Nethinims, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king.

ministers

Numbers 8:22-26
And after that went the Levites in to do their service in the tabernacle of the congregation before Aaron, and before his sons: as the LORD had commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so did they unto them…

Numbers 18:6
And I, behold, I have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel: to you they are given as a gift for the LORD, to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.

1 Chronicles 23:3-6,26-32
Now the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years and upward: and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty and eight thousand…

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Chief Commandment Forth House Iddo Leading Ministers Namely Nethinim Nethinims Telling Temple
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Ezra 8
1. The companions of Ezra, who returned from Babylon
15. 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














And I instructed them
This phrase indicates a deliberate and purposeful action by Ezra. The Hebrew root for "instructed" is "tsavah," which means to command or charge. This reflects Ezra's authoritative role as a leader and his responsibility to ensure that the mission to restore worship in Jerusalem is carried out effectively. It underscores the importance of leadership in guiding and directing God's people according to His will.

to go to Iddo
Iddo is identified as a leader, and his name means "timely" or "appointed." This suggests that Iddo was a person of significance and reliability, chosen for a specific purpose in God's plan. The act of going to Iddo signifies seeking out those who are divinely appointed to assist in the work of God, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and seeking wisdom from those who are spiritually mature.

the leader in Casiphia
Casiphia is a location whose exact historical and geographical details are not fully known, but it is believed to be a place where a community of Levites and temple servants resided during the Babylonian exile. The mention of a "leader" in Casiphia highlights the organized structure and community of believers even in exile, demonstrating God's provision and the preservation of His people and their roles, even in foreign lands.

and told them what to say to him
This phrase indicates the careful preparation and communication necessary for the task at hand. The Hebrew word for "told" is "peh," which can also mean "mouth" or "speech," emphasizing the power of words and the importance of clear and direct communication in fulfilling God's purposes. It reflects the need for wisdom and discernment in conveying God's instructions.

and his brothers, the temple servants in Casiphia
The term "brothers" signifies a close kinship and shared purpose among those serving in the temple. The "temple servants" were likely the Nethinim, a group dedicated to assisting the Levites in temple duties. This highlights the communal aspect of worship and service, where each member has a role to play in the functioning of God's house, emphasizing unity and cooperation in the body of believers.

so that they might bring us ministers
The word "ministers" refers to those who serve in the temple, specifically the Levites. The Hebrew root "sharat" means to minister or serve, indicating a role of dedication and service to God. This underscores the necessity of having dedicated individuals who are committed to the worship and service of God, ensuring that His house is maintained and His name glorified.

for the house of our God
This phrase centers the entire mission on the worship and service of God. The "house of our God" refers to the temple in Jerusalem, the central place of worship for the Israelites. It signifies the importance of having a dedicated place for God's presence and the communal worship of His people. This reflects the heart of Ezra's mission: to restore and uphold the worship of God as the central focus of the community's life.

(17) The place Casiphia.--Evidently near Ahavah, and a colony of Jews presided over by Iddo, one of the humble race of the Nethinims, but at present chief under the Persians. Ezra was aware of their existence in these parts.

Ministers.--A term obviously including Levites and Nethinims.

Verse 17. - 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.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And
ואוצאה (wā·’ō·w·ṣi·’āh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew

I sent
וָאֲצַוֶּ֤ה (wā·’ă·ṣaw·weh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

them
אוֹתָם֙ (’ō·w·ṯām)
Direct object marker | third person masculine plural
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

to
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

Iddo,
אִדּ֣וֹ (’id·dōw)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 112: An Israelite leader

the leader
הָרֹ֔אשׁ (hā·rōš)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7218: The head

at Casiphia,
בְּכָסִפְיָ֖א (bə·ḵā·sip̄·yā)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3703: Casiphia -- a place in Babylon

with a message
דְּבָרִ֜ים (də·ḇā·rîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

for
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

him
אִדּ֨וֹ (’id·dōw)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 112: An Israelite leader

and his kinsmen,
אָחִ֤יו (’ā·ḥîw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

the temple servants
הַנְּתִינִים֙ (han·nə·ṯî·nîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5411: The Nethinim, Temple-servants

at Casiphia,
בְּכָסִפְיָ֣א (bə·ḵā·sip̄·yā)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3703: Casiphia -- a place in Babylon

that they should bring
לְהָֽבִיא־ (lə·hā·ḇî-)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to us
לָ֥נוּ (lā·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's Hebrew

ministers
מְשָׁרְתִ֖ים (mə·šā·rə·ṯîm)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 8334: To attend as a, menial, worshipper, to contribute to

for the house
לְבֵ֥ית (lə·ḇêṯ)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of our God.
אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ׃ (’ĕ·lō·hê·nū)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative


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OT History: Ezra 8:17 I sent them forth to Iddo (Ezr. Ez)
Ezra 8:16
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