3703. Kasiphya
Lexical Summary
Kasiphya: Casiphia

Original Word: כָּסִפְיָא
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: Kaciphya'
Pronunciation: kah-sif-YAH
Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-sif-yaw')
KJV: Casiphia
NASB: Casiphia
Word Origin: [perhaps from H3701 (כֶּסֶף - silver)]

1. silvery
2. Casiphja, a place in Babylon

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Casiphia

Perhaps from keceph; silvery; Casiphja, a place in Bab. -- Casiphia.

see HEBREW keceph

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
perhaps from kasaph
Definition
a place in Bab.
NASB Translation
Casiphia (2).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
כָּסִפְיָא proper name, of a location in Babylonia, site un-known: — הַמָּקוֺם ׳בְּכ Ezra 8:17 (twice in verse) ᵐ5 B ἐν ἀργυρίῳ, ᵐ5L ἐν Μασφεν Esdr a, τῶν γαζοφυλακίων, γαζοφύλαξιν Esdr β.

כֶּסֶת see below II. כסה.

Topical Lexicon
Geographical Setting

Kasiphia is mentioned only in Ezra 8:17 and is understood to have been a settlement in the region of Babylon where a sizeable community of Levites and temple servants (Nethinim) resided during the exile. Its exact location is unknown, but Ezra treats it as close enough to Ahava to enable messengers to complete a round trip within the period of his preparations for the return to Jerusalem (Ezra 8:15–18). The name itself, connected etymologically with “silver,” has led some scholars to suggest a district associated with precious-metal trade or craft, which would explain the presence of skilled temple personnel who had found secular employment in exile.

Scriptural Occurrences

Ezra 8:17 contains both Old Testament references to Kasiphia:

“I sent them to Iddo the leader at the place called Casiphia, and I instructed them what to say to him and his brothers, the temple servants at Casiphia, so that they might bring to us ministers for the house of our God.” (Berean Standard Bible)

Historical Context

By the time Ezra assembled his company beside the River Ahava (circa 458 B.C.), more than seventy years had passed since Zerubbabel’s first return. The temple was standing, yet adequate priestly and Levitical staffing was lacking (Ezra 8:15, 18). Persian policy allowed further resettlement, and Ezra was commissioned to strengthen the worship infrastructure in Jerusalem (Ezra 7:12–26). Kasiphia became the strategic supply point for Levitical manpower, demonstrating how pockets of faithful Israelites maintained vocational identity even while integrated into Mesopotamian society.

Role in Ezra’s Mission

1. Recruitment Hub Kasiphia furnished 38 Levites and 220 Nethinim (Ezra 8:18–20). Their willingness to uproot affirms covenant loyalty and recognizes the priority of temple service over personal security.
2. Leadership Iddo emerges as a key figure: a respected head who could mobilize families for God’s house. His cooperation with Ezra illustrates effective delegation and the unity of scattered believers.
3. Divine Provision Ezra attributes the successful recruitment to “the gracious hand of our God” (Ezra 8:18). The episode reinforces the biblical pattern that when God’s people step out in obedience, He supplies every ministry need (Philippians 4:19).

Theological Themes

• Restoration of Worship The exiles were not merely returning residents; they were returning worshipers. Kasiphia’s contribution underscored that the heart of post-exilic identity was the worship of YHWH in His chosen place.
• Faithful Remnant Even in foreign lands God preserves a remnant ready for service (Isaiah 37:32; Romans 11:5).
• Call and Response Kasiphia exemplifies how a divine call, communicated through godly leadership, elicits willing human response, reflecting the synergy of sovereignty and responsibility.

Lessons for Contemporary Ministry

• Assess and Address Gaps Ezra paused his journey when he “found no Levites there” (Ezra 8:15). Modern leaders likewise must evaluate where ministry lacks essential gifts and seek God-provided personnel.
• Strategic Networking Identifying Kasiphia and liaising with Iddo show the value of informed, relational networking within the wider body of believers.
• Mobilizing Servants, Not Spectators The narrative shifts attention from resources to resource-people—those consecrated for service. Healthy churches and missions today prioritize equipping servants over accumulating assets.

Related Texts and Cross-References

Numbers 3:5–9 – Levitical duties foundational to the need Ezra perceived.
1 Chronicles 15:11–13 – David’s insistence on proper Levitical involvement foreshadows Ezra’s concern.
2 Corinthians 9:8 – God’s sufficiency for every good work parallels the provision experienced at Kasiphia.

Kasiphia thus stands as a minor place name with major implications: a witness that, wherever God scatters His people, He preserves and positions them for timely service in the unfolding drama of redemption.

Forms and Transliterations
בְּכָסִפְיָ֖א בְּכָסִפְיָ֣א בכספיא bə·ḵā·sip̄·yā bechasifYa bəḵāsip̄yā
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Ezra 8:17
HEB: אִדּ֣וֹ הָרֹ֔אשׁ בְּכָסִפְיָ֖א הַמָּק֑וֹם וָאָשִׂימָה֩
NAS: at the place Casiphia; and I told
KJV: at the place Casiphia, and I told
INT: to Iddo the leading Casiphia the place appoint

Ezra 8:17
HEB: (הַנְּתִינִים֙ ק) בְּכָסִפְיָ֣א הַמָּק֔וֹם לְהָֽבִיא־
NAS: at the place Casiphia, [that is], to bring
KJV: at the place Casiphia, that they should bring
INT: his brothers Nethinims Casiphia the place bring

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 3703
2 Occurrences


bə·ḵā·sip̄·yā — 2 Occ.

3702
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