Ezra Recruits Levites at Casiphia for the Second Wave Return

Ezra 8:15-20 narrates a small but telling episode during Ezra's second-wave return from Babylon in 458 BCE. When Ezra reviewed his caravan camped at the river Ahava, he discovered no Levites or temple servants were present: "Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah... men of understanding. And I sent them with commandment unto Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia." Iddo and the Babylonian community at Casiphia responded by supplying Sherebiah son of Mahli (a man of understanding), with his brothers and sons, plus 220 Nethinim (temple servants) — completing Ezra's priestly delegation for the journey home.

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