Ezra 2 43

Ezra 2:43 kjv

The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth,

Ezra 2:43 nkjv

The Nethinim: the sons of Ziha, the sons of Hasupha, the sons of Tabbaoth,

Ezra 2:43 niv

The temple servants: the descendants of Ziha, Hasupha, Tabbaoth,

Ezra 2:43 esv

The temple servants: the sons of Ziha, the sons of Hasupha, the sons of Tabbaoth,

Ezra 2:43 nlt

The descendants of the following Temple servants returned from exile: Ziha, Hasupha, Tabbaoth,

Ezra 2 43 Cross References

Verse Text Reference
Num 3:7 They shall keep His charge, and the charge of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of meeting... Role of priestly/Levitical assistants.
Num 8:19 And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the work of the tabernacle... Levites given for service, paralleling Nethinim.
Josh 9:21 Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers for all the congregation... Origin of some Nethinim (Gibeonites).
1 Chr 9:2 Now the first inhabitants who dwelt in their possessions in their cities were Israelites, priests, Levites, and Nethinim. Nethinim recognized as part of settled community.
Ezra 2:1 Now these are the people of the province who came up from the captivity... Introduction to the list of returnees.
Ezra 2:58 All the Nethinim and the children of Solomon’s servants were three hundred and ninety-two. Total count for Nethinim and Solomon's servants.
Ezra 7:24 Also we notify you that for any of the priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, Nethinim, or servants of this house of God... Nethinim exempt from taxation by Artaxerxes.
Ezra 8:20 also of the Nethinim, whom David and the leaders had appointed for the service of the Levites, two hundred and twenty of the Nethinim. David's role in appointing Nethinim for service.
Neh 3:26 Moreover the Nethinim who dwelt in Ophel made repairs as far as the front of the Water Gate toward the east... Nethinim participating in wall rebuilding.
Neh 7:46-56 The Nethinim: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth... Parallel list in Nehemiah, confirming Ezra.
Neh 10:28 Now the rest of the people—the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the Nethinim, and all those who had separated themselves... Nethinim included in the covenant renewal.
Neh 11:3 These are the heads of the province who dwelt in Jerusalem: but in the cities of Judah everyone dwelt in his possession... and the Nethinim. Nethinim settling in Jerusalem and Judah.
Deut 29:10-11 All of you stand today before the Lord your God: your heads, your tribes, your elders... and your woodcutters and your water carriers... Inclusion of all, even "hewers of wood and drawers of water," in God's covenant community.
1 Sam 2:18 But Samuel was ministering before the Lord, a child, wearing a linen ephod. Service to the sanctuary from a young age.
Isa 56:3 Nor let the eunuch say, “Here I am, a dry tree.” For thus says the Lord: “To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths... Inclusion of foreigners and "outsiders" in God's house.
Acts 6:2-4 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables...” Need for specific roles in service to God's people.
Rom 12:4-5 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body... Diverse functions within the body of Christ, echoing roles like Nethinim.
1 Cor 12:28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles... helpers... God establishes diverse roles for ministry.
Eph 4:11-12 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints... All roles are vital for equipping the church for service.
Col 3:23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men... Encourages diligent service regardless of task.

Ezra 2 verses

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Ezra 2 43 Meaning

Ezra 2:43 identifies specific families of the Nethinim who returned from the Babylonian exile with Zerubbabel. The Nethinim, meaning "given ones," were servants appointed to assist the Levites in the sanctuary's menial tasks, contributing to the re-establishment of the temple service in Jerusalem after the return. This verse lists the heads of six such family groups, emphasizing the detailed record-keeping and the distinct, though often overlooked, roles of all who participated in the restoration of the community and its sacred functions.

Ezra 2 43 Context

Ezra chapter 2 provides a detailed list of those who returned from Babylonian exile with Zerubbabel and Jeshua to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple. This comprehensive roster includes families of priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and crucially, various lay Israelites organized by their paternal houses. The listing demonstrates the careful and intentional process of reconstituting the community of God's people in the promised land, emphasizing lineage and identity for purposes of land allocation, tribal purity, and eligibility for Temple service. Verses 43-54 specifically enumerate the Nethinim and the children of Solomon’s servants, identifying their ancestral families who dedicated themselves to temple service. The meticulous nature of this record underscores the belief that this return and rebuilding were acts guided by divine providence, restoring order and worship according to God's covenant with Israel.

Ezra 2 43 Word analysis

  • The Nethinim: (הַנְּתִינִים, han-N'tinim) The definite article "the" highlights a specific, known group. "Nethinim" comes from the Hebrew root נָתַן (nathan), meaning "to give" or "to place." They were literally "the given ones" or "those who were given," referring to their status as servants "given" to the Temple service, assisting the Levites. This designation emphasizes their devoted function rather than a tribal or familial origin, distinguishing them from Levites. Historically, some Nethinim are associated with the Gibeonites (Josh 9), who were made "hewers of wood and drawers of water" for the sanctuary, and later, captives dedicated by David and other kings (Ezra 8:20). Their inclusion in the return from exile affirms their ongoing vital, albeit subservient, role in sacred duties.
  • the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth, the children of Kerios, the children of Siaha, the children of Padon: These are lists of specific family names.
    • The children of: (בְּנֵי, B'nei) This Hebrew construct translates as "sons of" or "descendants of," denoting a family or clan. It signifies a collective group unified by common ancestry. Their inclusion signifies continuity of familial identity even through generations of exile.
    • Ziha: (צִיחָא, Tziḥa) A specific family head or founder. Its inclusion, along with others, demonstrates the detailed genealogical records maintained even for groups like the Nethinim. This points to the importance of accurate lineage in re-establishing community order.
    • Hasupha: (חֲסוּפָא, Ḥasufa) Another listed family, highlighting the distinct household units. The fact that individual family names are preserved reinforces their status as identifiable, returning groups.
    • Tabbaoth: (טַבָּאוֹת, Tava'ot) A family name, often interpreted to mean "rings" or "impressions." Its presence underscores the comprehensive nature of the returnee list.
    • Kerios: (קֵרוֹס, Qeyros) Or Keros in some translations. Another family, emphasizing the distinct family units returning.
    • Siaha: (סִיעָא, Siʿa) Also Shaa, Siah in Nehemiah. This minor variation in spelling across parallel lists (Ezra 2, Neh 7) is common in biblical texts and does not detract from the identification of the family.
    • Padon: (פָּדוֹן, Padon) A distinct family name. The act of listing these names signifies their tangible existence and integral participation in the restoration of the people and the Temple service.
    The listing of these six specific family lines by name serves multiple purposes: it validates their return, confirms their distinct identity within the broader group of Nethinim, and signifies their dedicated function within the reorganized priestly and Levitical structures in Jerusalem. This precision indicates a deep reverence for ancestral lineage and the preservation of communal roles, however humble.

Ezra 2 43 Bonus section

The Nethinim represent an interesting aspect of ancient Israelite society, showcasing a hierarchical yet inclusive approach to religious service. While often seen as separate from the Levitical purity, their unwavering dedication to the Temple duties over centuries allowed for its sustained functioning. Their presence also points to the comprehensive nature of God's covenant, where all, even those originally of non-Israelite descent or of subservient status, could find their place and purpose within the community centered on the worship of Yahweh. The detailed record of their family lines signifies not merely their identity, but their enduring commitment, passed down through generations, to the house of God. Their listing here reaffirms their identity as indispensable members of the post-exilic Judah, essential for the spiritual renewal and physical rebuilding.

Ezra 2 43 Commentary

Ezra 2:43 identifies six distinct family lines among the Nethinim who returned from Babylonian exile. These individuals, categorized as "the given ones," occupied an essential yet often unheralded role in the temple system, performing the menial labor that supported the priests and Levites. Their meticulous listing alongside priests, Levites, and other lay Israelites underscores a key principle: every part of the community was vital to the restoration of Judah. Whether of noble lineage or humble servitude, each family unit played its divinely appointed part in rebuilding God’s house and His people. The inclusion of such a seemingly "lower status" group in the returning census validates their standing as true Israelites participating in the divine plan for restoration. This reminds us that in God's kingdom, every form of faithful service, no matter how unseen or modest, holds significant value and contributes to the whole.