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.
I sent them with instructions to Iddo, the leader at the place called Casiphia, and I told them exactly what to say to Iddo and his fellow temple servants who lived there. They were to ask them to send us ministers to serve in God's house.
Ezra is sending messengers to request that temple workers come and serve in the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem.
📚 Historical Context
This occurred around 458 BC when Ezra was leading a group of Jewish exiles back from Babylon to Jerusalem. Casiphia was likely a settlement where temple servants (Nethinims) lived in exile. Ezra realized he needed Levites and temple workers to properly staff the temple in Jerusalem, so he sent for them before continuing the journey.
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