Teks -- Ezra 8:15 (NET)

The Exiles Travel to Jerusalem

8:15 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.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Wesley: Ezr 8:15 - Of Levi

None who were simple Levites, and not the priests. And therefore the Levites mentioned, Ezr 7:7, by anticipation were not yet come to him.

JFB: Ezr 8:15 - I gathered them together to the river that runneth to Ahava

This river has not been ascertained. It is probable that the Ahava was one of the streams or numerous canals of Mesopotamia communicating with the Euphrates [Cyclopædia of Biblical Literature]. But it was certainly in Babylonia on the banks of that stream; and perhaps the place appointed for general rendezvous was in the neighborhood of a town of the same name. The emigrants encamped there for three days, according to Oriental custom, while the preparations for the departure were being completed and Ezra was arranging the order of the caravan.

JFB: Ezr 8:15 - I . . . found there none of the sons of Levi

That is, the ordinary Levites. Notwithstanding the privilege of exemption from all taxes granted to persons engaged in the temple service, none of the Levitical tribes were induced to join the settlement in Jerusalem; and it was even not without difficulty Ezra persuaded some of the priestly families to accompany him.

Clarke: Ezr 8:15 - The river that runneth to Ahava

The river that runneth to Ahava - Ahava was a river itself, which is supposed to be the same that is called Diava or Adiava, in the province of Adiabene; and perhaps the place whence the people of Ava came who were brought by the king of Assyria to Palestine, 2Ki 17:24

Clarke: Ezr 8:15 - None of the sons of Levi

None of the sons of Levi - None that were simply Levites. He found priests, and they were sons of Levi; but no Levites that were not priests.

TSK: Ezr 8:15 - the river that runneth // Ahava // abode // and found

the river that runneth : Ahava is supposed to be the river Adiava, which, with the Diava, is said by Ammianus to have given name to Adiabene, a province of Assyria, through which they flowed into the Tigris. These rivers were also called respectively, Anzabas and Zabas, the Caprus and Lycus of Ptolemy; the former of which he places, at its source, in long. 79 degrees, lat. 39+ degrees, and at its junction with the Tigris, in long. 79+ degrees, lat. 36 degrees 6 minutes; and the latter, at its source, in long 78 degrees, lat. 39 degrees; and where it falls into the Tigris, in long. 79 degrees, lat. 36+ degrees. They are now called the Great and Little Zab, or the Zabein, i.e., the two Zabs, which, says Ibn Haukal, ""are considerable streams, each about half as large as the Dejleh (or Tigris). They rise among the mountains of Azerbaijancaps1 . ocaps0 f these, the larger is that which runs towards Haditheh. These streams form part of the Tigris, and water the district of Semerah.""Psa 137:1; Eze 1:1, Eze 3:15; Act 16:13

Ahava : Ezr 8:21, Ezr 8:31

abode : Heb. pitched

and found : Ezr 8:2, Ezr 7:7, Ezr 7:24

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: Ezr 8:15 - The river that runneth to Ahava // the river of Ahava // None of the sons of Levi

The river that runneth to Ahava or,

the river of Ahava as it is called, Ezr 8:21,31 . By comparing of these places, it seems that Ahava was the name both of the river, and of the town or place by which it ran. Either this was that river which other writers call Adiava , which runs to Assyria, which thence is called Adiabene ; or some other river running into Euphrates.

None of the sons of Levi to wit, who were simple Levites, and not priests. And therefore the Levites, mentioned Ezr 7:7 , by anticipation, were not yet come to him.

Haydock: Ezr 8:15 - Ahava // None there

Ahava. This river (ver. 21., and 31.) runs through the territory of the same name, called Hava; (4 Kings xvii. 24.) the people of which exchanged places with the Israelites. Esdras makes a circuit to prevail on some of the latter to return with him, unless he began his journey from Susa. Babylon comprises all that country. (Calmet) ---

None there, who were not priests, ver. 2. (Lyranus) (Menochius)

Gill: Ezr 8:15 - 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

And I gathered them together to the river that runneth to Ahava,.... From whence also the river bore the same name; or that from the river, see Ezr 8:21, and may be the same with Adiabene, a country in Assyria, which had its name from the river Adiava:

and there abode we in tents three days; or pitched their camp; this was the place of their rendezvous:

and I viewed the people and the priests; mustered them, took the number of them, and what tribe and families they were of:

and found there none of the sons of Levi; excepting the priests.