4. The stairs. Literally, “ascent,” by which probably the scaffold, or “pulpit,” of Ezra 8:4 is meant.
The Levites. The repetition of the names of the Levites in 5 shows that the invitation to praise God is distinct from the crying to God with a loud voice of 4. It seems that the Levites first cried to God by addressing to Him their confessions and supplications, and having done so, called upon the congregation to worship Him. Eight names of Levites are given in both verses, and five of themâJeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, and Sherebiahâare identical. That the three others are different should not be explained as scribal or editorial errors. There is a more simple explanationâthe second group was composed, in part, of different Levites from the first group. Had they been the same both times, it would not have ben necessary for the author to repeat their names again so soon.