Ezra 2 58

Ezra 2:58 kjv

All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants, were three hundred ninety and two.

Ezra 2:58 nkjv

All the Nethinim and the children of Solomon's servants were three hundred and ninety-two.

Ezra 2:58 niv

The temple servants and the descendants of the servants of Solomon ? 392

Ezra 2:58 esv

All the temple servants and the sons of Solomon's servants were 392.

Ezra 2:58 nlt

In all, the Temple servants and the descendants of Solomon's servants numbered 392.

Ezra 2 verses

Ezra 2 58 Meaning

Ezra 2:58 records a specific numerical detail within the census of those returning from Babylonian exile. It states that the collective number of "all the Nethinim" and "the children of Solomon's servants" who returned was three hundred ninety-two individuals. This verse highlights the precise accounting of groups, particularly non-Israelite temple-support personnel, who were integral to the re-establishment of the post-exilic community and the restoration of temple worship.

Ezra 2 58 Context

Ezra chapter 2 is a crucial registry listing the families, numbers, and occupations of the Israelites and various other groups who returned from Babylonian exile to Jerusalem and Judah. This extensive census was conducted following the decree of King Cyrus of Persia, which permitted the exiled Jewish people to return to their homeland and rebuild the temple. The meticulous detail in this chapter served multiple purposes: to establish the legitimate descendants of Israel for land claims, to assign roles in the rebuilding effort, and to re-establish the social and religious order disrupted by decades of captivity. Within this broader enumeration of the returnees, Ezra 2:58 specifically singles out two groups—the Nethinim and the descendants of Solomon's servants—who, though largely non-Israelite in origin, held hereditary positions as temple functionaries and general laborers. Their precise counting alongside the tribes of Israel underscores their essential, supportive role in the restored worship of God.

Ezra 2 58 Word analysis

• all (כֹּל, kōl): This word signifies completeness and comprehensiveness, indicating that every individual from the specified groups was counted without omission. It highlights the thoroughness of the census in establishing the full contingent of returning personnel for the rebuilding of Judah.
• the Nethinim (הַנְּתִינִים, han-Nəthînîm): From the Hebrew verb נָתַן (nāthan), meaning "to give." These were "the given ones," a special class of temple servants likely comprising descendants of foreign captives or peoples designated for sacred service. Their historical origin may trace back to the Gibeonites whom Joshua cursed to be perpetual servants of the altar (Josh 9:27). Their role was to perform various auxiliary, manual duties to support the priests and Levites in the Temple, such as preparing wood, drawing water, and other maintenance tasks. Their inclusion among the returnees emphasizes their vital and continuing function in the Temple economy.
• and (וְ, wə): A simple conjunction that connects "the Nethinim" with "the children of Solomon's servants," indicating that these two distinct groups are being totaled together for this particular sum.
• the children of Solomon's servants (בְּנֵי עַבְדֵי שְׁלֹמֹה, bənê ʿaḇdê Šəlōmōh): Literally, "sons of servants of Solomon." This group refers to the descendants of non-Israelite peoples (e.g., Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites) whom King Solomon had conscripted for forced labor during his vast building projects, including the construction of the First Temple (1 Ki 9:20-21; 2 Chr 8:7-8). Though initially in forced servitude, their descendants continued to serve in support roles for the monarchy and possibly the Temple. Their return highlights their long-standing integration, albeit in a servant capacity, within the Israelite societal and religious structure.
• were (הָיוּ, hāyû): A simple verb indicating the sum or total number of individuals for the combined groups.
• three hundred ninety and two (שְׁלֹשׁ מֵאוֹת תִּשְׁעִים וּשְׁתַּיִם, šəlōš mê’ôṯ tišʿîm ûštayim): The exact numerical figure. This precise accounting signifies the careful and thorough record-keeping employed during the return from exile, essential for administrative and communal organization in post-exilic Judah. It reflects the value placed on every contributing member in the rebuilding process.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "all the Nethinim, and the children of Solomon's servants": This phrase meticulously brings together two specific categories of historically distinct, yet deeply interwoven, non-Israelite temple-support personnel. Their unified enumeration underscores the comprehensive nature of the post-exilic community and the critical importance of these groups for the logistical functioning of the re-established worship system.
• "were three hundred ninety and two": The specific numerical summation for these groups demonstrates a highly organized and precise census. Such detailed accounting was vital for the returned exiles to verify their identity, assign land, allocate resources, and properly staff the essential functions, particularly those related to the restoration of the Temple and its service. This attention to detail reflects God's ordered restoration plan.

Ezra 2 58 Bonus section

The presence of the "children of Solomon's servants" emphasizes historical continuity spanning centuries, linking the returnees directly to the First Temple period and underscoring the enduring nature of their lineage's dedication to service. The detailed nature of this census, replicated in Nehemiah 7, served a critical administrative function for the fledgling community. It provided a definitive register for establishing legitimate claims to lineage, land, and assigned duties, preventing disputes and ensuring a stable foundation for the renewed society. These groups, while not from the direct Israelite lineage, were crucial to the practical and logistical operation of the restored Temple, allowing for the comprehensive renewal of Israel's worship life under God's providence. Their humble yet vital contributions illustrate that faithfulness in supportive roles is highly valued in God's eyes.

Ezra 2 58 Commentary

Ezra 2:58 provides a concise, numerical record of 392 individuals who were the "Nethinim" and "children of Solomon's servants," returning to Judah from Babylonian exile. This verse is part of a larger, meticulously detailed census in Ezra chapter 2, which outlines the comprehensive return of various groups. The Nethinim, literally "the given ones," were non-Israelite temple servants performing supportive tasks, possibly tracing back to those Gibeonites assigned by Joshua or later captives dedicated to temple labor. Similarly, the "children of Solomon's servants" were descendants of non-Israelites conscripted by King Solomon for forced labor in building projects, including the First Temple.

The inclusion and precise counting of these two distinct, largely non-Israelite groups are significant. It demonstrates that the rebuilding effort extended beyond just the direct descendants of Israel; it encompassed all those historically bound to the service of God's house. Their return underscores their essential logistical role in the Temple's operation, freeing priests and Levites for their sacred duties. This meticulous enumeration speaks to God's careful oversight and the divinely ordered restoration of the entire community dedicated to Him, highlighting that every individual and every functional role, regardless of origin, contributes to God's overarching purpose for His people. It implicitly encourages a broader understanding of who is counted within God's people and those dedicated to His work.