Ahaya

The name of a town or district in Babylonia (Ezr 8"- "'•"), and of a stream in the neighbourhood "). On the banks of this stream Ezra encamped for three da3's at the begin- ning of his journey to Jerusalem. lie was thus able to review his large company, and to make good the absence of Levites by sending a deputation to the chief of the settlement at Casiphia.

Before com- mencing the march, Ezra instituted a solemn fast, and then took measures for the safe custo<ly of the treasures and rich gifts which were in his posses- sion. Ewald conjectured that the river Aliava or Peleg-Ahava was the same as the l'allacoi)as, a stream to the S. of Babylon. Rawlinson identifies it with the Is (see Herod, i. 179), a river flowing by a town of the same name, now called Hit, which is about eight days' journey from li.abylon. It seems, however, more jiroh.

that Ezra made his rendezvous near to Babylon it.self ; in that case we may supipo.se that the Ahava was one of the nnincroiis ciiiials nl the Eujilirates in the neighliourhoo<i of the city (< f. Kyle, and Berth. -Kys. ad luc). In 1 Es 8"-''' the river is called Theras {Qepis). H. A. White.