Ezr 8:15-19 | TNotes | STEP | 8:15 The Ahava Canal came off the Euphrates River near Babylon. • not one Levite had volunteered: Only a few Levites had come earlier with Sheshbazzar (2:40 ). It is unclear why so few Levites returned to Jerusalem.

c8:16-17►

dNeh 8:8-9►

‏ Ezra 8:15-19

8:15 ^a The Ahava Canal came off the Euphrates River near Babylon.

• not one Levite had volunteered: Only a few Levites had come earlier with Sheshbazzar (2:40 ^b). It is unclear why so few Levites returned to Jerusalem.
Summary for Ezra 8:16-17: 8:16-17 ^c The Hebrew term translated men of discernment refers to those who could interpret and explain the Torah. These men were probably respected because of their expertise in Scripture (cp. Neh 8:8-9 ^d). Ezra commissioned them to use their influence to recruit more Levites.
8:18 ^e the gracious hand of our God: Ezra, his leaders, and Iddo all took action to rectify the problem, but ultimately everything was accomplished because of God’s grace. Only thirty-eight Levites (including the leaders) and 220 Temple servants responded.