Charles Ellicott Commentary Ezra 8:17

"And I sent them forth unto Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia; and I told them what they should say unto Iddo, [and] his brethren the Nethinim, at the place Casiphia, that they should bring unto us ministers for the house of our God." — Ezra 8:17 (ASV)

The place Casiphia. —Evidently near Ahavah, and a colony of Jews presided over by Iddo, one of the humble group of the Nethinims, but at present chief under the Persians. Ezra was aware of their existence in that region.

Ministers. —A term obviously including Levites and Nethinims.