Ezra 8:15,Ezra 8:21,Ezra 8:31

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ezra 8:15

Ezra 8:15. To the river that runneth to Ahava Or the river of Ahava, as it is called, Ezra 8:21; Ezra 8:31. 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 of Assyria, which other writers call Adiava, or Diava, which ran along the Adiabene, upon which Ptolemy places the city of Abane, or Aavane; or some other river which ran into the Euphrates. Here, some imagine, was the country which (... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ezra 8:1-36

Details of the journey (8:1-36)Leaders of the family groups who returned under Ezra are listed, along with the numbers of people in the various groups (8:1-14). Surprisingly, no Levites were among them, so Ezra sent specially for some. Levites were essential, as religious service was the main purpose of Ezra’s return (15-20).The journey to Jerusalem would take Ezra and his party about four months (see 7:9). During this time they would constantly be open to attacks from robbers. Yet even though... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ezra 8:15

together = out. Ahava. Ahava. The name of the river, and of the city. Compare Ezra 8:21 . abode = encamped. none of the sons of Levi. Only priests and laymen. The Levites were slack. Compare Ezra 2:40 . Only a small number accompanied Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:36 ). Not so the priests (Ezra 2:36-39 ). read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Ezra 8:15

A SECOND BEGINNING OF THE JOURNEY AT AHAVA"And I gathered them together at the river that runneth to Ahava; and there we encamped three days; and I viewed the people, and the priests, and found there none of the sons of Levi. Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, and for Elnathan, and for Jarib, and for Elnathan, and for Nathan, and for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Joiarib, and for Elnathan, who were teachers. And I sent them forth unto Iddo the chief of the... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ezra 8:15

Ver. 15. Ahava— This was a river of Assyria, and, very probably, that which ran along the Adiabene, where the river Diava, or Adiava, is known to be, and upon which Ptolemy places the city of Abane, or Avano. Here, as some imagine, was the country which, in the 2nd book of Kings, 2Ki 17:24 is called Ava, whence the king of Assyria translated the people called Avites into Palestine, and in their room settled some of the captive Israelites. It was a common thing for those who travelled from... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ezra 8:15

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... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ezra 8:15-20

The recruiting of Levites to return 8:15-20The returnees assembled on the banks of the Ahava waterway that flowed through the district of Babylon that bore the same name. The site is presently unknown.". . . Babylonia was crisscrossed by a network of irrigation canals that tapped the water of the Euphrates and flowed toward the Tigris, which had a slightly deeper bed." [Note: Vos, p. 65.] No Levites had volunteered to return to Judah. In view of his plans for the restoration, Ezra needed more... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 8:1-36

Particulars of Ezra’s Company1. Them that went up] The sum of the numbers given is 1,496. Only males are mentioned, and if no women accompanied them, the absence of such doubtless increased the tendency that the people manifested to intermarry with heathen families. 2. Hattush] This should be connected closely with the following clause, Hattush being grandson of Shecaniah: 1 Chronicles 3:22. 3. Of the sons of Pharosh] Most of the families in this list also appear (with some variations) in Ezra... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ezra 8:15

(15) Ahava.—Both river and town. Nine days’ journey brought them thither; and there is a place now called Hit, about eighty miles from Babylon, which has been identified with it.None of the sons of Levi.—Only seventy-four had returned with Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:40); and hero we have evidence that the disinclination continued. The importance of Levitcal service in the Temple accounts for the anxiety of Ezra. read more