Nehemiah 7:46 kjv
The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Hashupha, the children of Tabbaoth,
Nehemiah 7:46 nkjv
The Nethinim: the sons of Ziha, the sons of Hasupha, the sons of Tabbaoth,
Nehemiah 7:46 niv
The temple servants: the descendants of Ziha, Hasupha, Tabbaoth,
Nehemiah 7:46 esv
The temple servants: the sons of Ziha, the sons of Hasupha, the sons of Tabbaoth,
Nehemiah 7:46 nlt
The descendants of the following Temple servants returned from exile:
Ziha, Hasupha, Tabbaoth,
Nehemiah 7 46 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezr 2:43 | The Nethinim: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth, ... | Direct parallel, identical list of families. |
| Ezr 8:20 | Also of the Nethinim, whom David and the princes had given for the service of the Levites, two hundred and twenty Nethinim... | Confirms David appointed Nethinim for temple service. |
| Josh 9:27 | ...Joshua made them that day woodcutters and water carriers for the congregation and for the altar of the Lord, ... | Historical origin, Gibeonites as perpetual servants. |
| Neh 11:3 | Now these are the heads of the province who lived in Jerusalem; but in the cities of Judah everyone lived in his possession in their cities, namely, Israel, the priests, the Levites, the Nethinim... | Mentions Nethinim among groups inhabiting Jerusalem. |
| 1 Chron 9:2 | And the first inhabitants who lived in their possessions in their cities were Israel, the priests, the Levites, and the Nethinim. | Lists Nethinim as among the returned inhabitants. |
| Num 3:9 | You shall give the Levites to Aaron and his sons; they are wholly given to him from the children of Israel. | Concept of "given ones" for sacred service. |
| Num 8:16 | For they are wholly given to Me from among the children of Israel... | Reinforces dedication of a group to the Lord. |
| Deut 23:3-6 | An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the assembly of the Lord... | Highlights Nethinim as unique, integrated foreigners. |
| Isa 56:6-7 | Also the sons of the foreigner who join themselves to the Lord... their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar; For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations. | Prophecy of foreign inclusion in God's worship. |
| Mark 10:43-45 | ...whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant... For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve... | Emphasis on the spiritual value of humble service. |
| Phil 2:7-8 | ...but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant... and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. | Christ as the ultimate servant, embodying dedication. |
| 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 in Christ, and individually members of one another. | Diverse functions, essential for the whole body of believers. |
| Rom 12:6-8 | Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them... if service, in his serving... | Spiritual gifts, including practical service. |
| 1 Cor 12:12 | For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. | Illustrates the church's diverse yet unified structure. |
| Eph 4:11-12 | And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry... | Different roles within the church for ministry. |
| Acts 6:1-4 | ...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." | Early church recognized need for practical servants. |
| Luke 19:10 | For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. | While broader, it underlies the call to serve and restore. |
| Matt 25:40 | ...‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ | Emphasizes serving "the least," valuing humble tasks. |
| Heb 8:5 | ...who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things... | Points to service as earthly reflection of heavenly. |
| Rev 7:15 | Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. | Ultimate fulfillment: worshipers serving God in His presence. |
| Neh 7:47-49 | Other lists of Nethinim families immediately following this verse. | Continues the list of Nethinim families. |
Nehemiah 7 verses
Nehemiah 7 46 Meaning
Nehemiah 7:46 lists three family names of the Nethinim (Ziha, Hasupha, and Tabbaoth) who returned to Jerusalem from the Babylonian exile. This verse is part of a larger census in Nehemiah chapter 7, which meticulously records those who re-established the community and its various societal and religious functions, highlighting the essential role of these temple servants in the restoration of worship.
Nehemiah 7 46 Context
Nehemiah 7 details a census taken after the wall of Jerusalem was completed, listing those who had returned from Babylonian exile with Zerubbabel. This chapter closely parallels Ezra 2, indicating it's either a copy of an older register or a contemporary re-enumeration for verification. The purpose was to identify every household and individual for re-establishing the civic and religious order, ensuring purity of lineage (especially for priests and Levites), and organizing the allocation of tasks and resources for temple service. Verse 46 specifically contributes to the register of the "Nethinim," who were essential non-Israelite temple servants, occupying a distinct, though lower, tier in the temple hierarchy. Their inclusion signifies their recognized and valued role in the restored community and the rebuilding of the temple system. Historically, this period marked a crucial phase in Judah's spiritual and national revival, where every societal role, including the menial, was vital for restoring faithfulness and functionality.
Nehemiah 7 46 Word analysis
The children of: This phrase universally indicates lineage or belonging, emphasizing familial grouping in a communal census. In a register, it identifies descendants.
Nethinim (נְתִינִים, nethinim): Derived from the Hebrew root nāthan (to give, set, place). It means "given ones" or "dedicated ones." These were temple servants who performed menial tasks, such as hauling wood and water, a role traditionally linked to the Gibeonites (Josh 9:27) and possibly later expanded by foreign captives dedicated to service. Their designation emphasizes their identity not as Levites or priests, but as those "given" to the sanctuary's perpetual service.
The children of Ziha (צִיחָא, tsiḥa): "Ziha" is a personal/family name, found exclusively in these census lists (Ezra 2:43; Neh 7:46). Its meaning is debated, possibly "dry" or "shining," but its primary significance here is identifying a specific lineage within the Nethinim.
the children of Hasupha (חֲסוּפָא, ḥasupha): "Hasupha" is another family name unique to these lists (Ezra 2:43; Neh 7:46). The name might relate to the root meaning "exposed" or "uncovered." Like Ziha, its importance lies in lineage identification.
the children of Tabbaoth (טַבָּאוֹת, ṭabba’ôth): "Tabbaoth" (often rendered Tabbaoth or Tabbaot) is also a family name in the Nethinim list (Ezra 2:43; Neh 7:46). The meaning is unclear but possibly relates to "rings" or "impressions." Its presence completes this specific grouping of Nethinim families in the verse.
"The children of Nethinim: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth": This segment highlights the specificity and precision of the post-exilic census. It organizes the Nethinim by specific family units, demonstrating an orderly and genealogical approach to re-establishing the community. This attention to detail suggests the importance of every group, regardless of their role or origin, in the divine-human covenant and the functioning of God's house. It implies an inherited, designated role, underscoring continuity and communal responsibility across generations for temple service.
Nehemiah 7 46 Bonus section
- Symbolic Significance of "Nethinim": Beyond their practical function, the Nethinim serve as an early biblical example of foreigners being fully integrated into the community of God through dedicated service, foreshadowing a broader, more inclusive worship of God's people found in prophetic literature (Isa 56:6-7) and ultimately fulfilled in the New Testament church where there is "neither Jew nor Greek" (Gal 3:28).
- Genealogical Integrity: The meticulous listing of names and lineages for all groups, including the Nethinim, was critical for maintaining the religious purity and social structure of the returned community, demonstrating a strong emphasis on identity and inheritance post-exile.
- Humility in Service: The role of the Nethinim, performing manual and often less desirable tasks (like "hewers of wood and drawers of water"), highlights the value of humble and devoted service within God's household, a theme consistently upheld throughout Scripture as highly esteemed by God (Phil 2:7, Mark 10:43-45).
Nehemiah 7 46 Commentary
Nehemiah 7:46, though a seemingly simple listing of names, profoundly illustrates several key themes. It underlines the thoroughness of Nehemiah's leadership in the post-exilic restoration, meticulously cataloging every segment of the returning community. The inclusion of Nethinim, a group of dedicated temple servants often with non-Israelite origins, underscores God's acceptance and purposeful use of all peoples in His redemptive plan. Their humble but essential roles in the physical functioning of the temple ensured the proper environment for worship. This verse reminds us that in God's kingdom, every assigned task, no matter how seemingly small or unnoticed, is vital and esteemed when performed with faithfulness. It emphasizes structure, order, and the diversity of ministries necessary for a functioning spiritual body, echoing the New Testament emphasis on every member's contribution.