Log inSign up

Ezra 8 · a question people ask

Why weren't there any Levites at the river?

In the text

The chapter doesn't say. It tells what Ezra saw: "Then I looked around at the people and the priests, and found there were none of the sons of Levi" (8:15). And it tells what he did. He sent for chief men and teachers (8:16) and sent them to "Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia" (8:17), "that they should bring to us ministers for the house of our God" (8:17). "According to the good hand of our God on us" (8:18) they brought Sherebiah "with his sons and his brothers" (8:18), Hashabiah and Jeshaiah "of the sons of Merari" (8:19), and temple servants (8:20). The king's letter had named Levites among those who could go (7:13). Ezra gives no reason why none had come at first, and this study doesn't guess one.

The verses

“I make a decree that all those of the people of Israel and their priests and the Levites in my realm, who intend of their own free will to go to Jerusalem, go with you.”
Ezra 7:13 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Ezra 8

Ezra 8: The hand of our God on us

Ezra 8 turns on something Ezra had already said: having told the king, "The hand of our God is on all those who seek him, for good" (8:22), he was ashamed to ask for soldiers, so the company fasted at the river Ahava and God "granted our request" (8:23). Then every gift was weighed out, kept on the road, and weighed again in God's house.

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

Start your free weekEzra 8 Bible study

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about Ezra 8

All questions about Ezra →

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions like this, in every chapter

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions