Bible Dictionary
Casiphia
Casiphia was an unidentified place near the river Ahava in Babylonia. Ezra sought Levites and temple ministers there for the returning community.
Definition
Casiphia was an unidentified place in North Babylonia, near the river Ahava, on the route associated with the return from Babylon to Jerusalem.
Biblical Usage
Ezra sent to Casiphia for Levites and ministers for the house of God. The place was therefore connected with gathering religious personnel for the returning community.
Historical Background
Its exact site is unknown. The name has been associated with silver or money, and an ancient rendering connected it with a treasury.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Silver, a place between Babylon and Jerusalem, where Iddo resided (Ezra 8:17); otherwise unknown.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(silvery, white), a place of uncertain site on the road between Babylon and Jerusalem. (Ezra 8:17)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>ka-sif'-i-a, ka-sif-e'-a (kaciphya'): An unidentified place in North Babylonia, near the river Ahava, to which Ezra sent for "ministers for the house of our God" (Ezr 8:17). Some have thought the name to be connected with keceph, "silver" or "money." Septuagint renders argurio tou topou, as in 1 Esdras 8:45, "the place of the treasury."</p>