Ezra 8:16
Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, and for Elnathan, and for Jarib, and for Elnathan, and for Nathan, and for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Joiarib, and for Elnathan, men of understanding. Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, and for Elnathan, and for Jarib, and for Elnathan, and for Nathan, and for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Joiarib, and for Elnathan, men of understanding.
Ezra's sending recorded here was a renewed and urgent appeal to the Levites remaining in Babylon to unite with his company for the return to Jerusalem. To deliver that appeal he dispatched several trusted special messengers. Those messengers are described as chief men and men of understanding.
The group numbered eleven men in all. Nine of them were chief men and two were men of understanding. They were selected to persuade the Levites to return with him to Jerusalem. They carried his written plea to emphasize the importance of quick action. The men of understanding in this mission thus helped secure ministers for the house of God.