Casiphia

Casiphia is a place in the Persian empire mentioned only in the account of Ezra's return, where it served as the residence of a community of Levites and temple servants.

Where Ezra Recruited Ministers

When Ezra discovered that no Levites had attached themselves to the company assembling for the journey to Jerusalem, he dispatched messengers to a settlement at Casiphia: "And I sent them forth to Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia; and I put words in their mouth to say to Iddo, [and] his brothers those given [to temple service], at the place Casiphia, that they should bring to us ministers for the house of our God" (Ezr 8:17). Casiphia stands in the narrative as the source from which the temple service was replenished — the place where Iddo led a body of Levites and Nethinim who could be sent up to the rebuilt house of God.