Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezra 8:17. It’s a bit complex, but here's a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse is about rebuilding a temple – specifically, it’s about restoring a temple that was destroyed during a period of chaos and rebellion in ancient Judah. Let’s unpack the parts: “And I sent them with commandment unto Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia…” This means Ezra, a leader, instructed a group of people – likely priests and officials – to go to Casiphia. Casiphia was a city in Judah. “…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.” This is the core instruction. Ezra told the people – specifically, Iddo and the Nethinims (a group of priests) – to go to Casiphia and bring ministers (people who can lead prayer and ceremonies) to the house of God. Putting it all together: Ezra was telling the people in Casiphia that they needed to find leaders – ministers – to help them rebuild the temple, which had been damaged or destroyed. He wanted them to bring those leaders to the temple so they could continue performing rituals and worship as it should. In short, this verse is a call for restoration and leadership to rebuild the temple. Why is this important? This passage is found in the Old Testament and speaks to a crucial moment in Jewish history when there was a need to heal and restore faith after a period of trouble. It shows that rebuilding wasn't just about bricks and mortar, but also about restoring trust and spiritual leadership. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the historical context surrounding this passage?