Nethinim

「Nethinim」is a term that only appears in post-exilic writings of the Israelites (1 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah). The word Nethinim comes from the Hebrew verb nathan, which means to give, to set apart, or to present. Therefore, Nethinim means “given ones” or “those who are set apart or dedicated.” The Septuagint translates this word as “dedicated ones.” Some modern translators, referencing Josephus (Antiquities of the Jews 11.5.1), refer to them as “Temple Servants.”

Before the exile, the Nethinim were very active in temple service. 1 Chronicles 9:2 lists them alongside the priests and Levites, and they all had their own cities. Their order was: priests, Levites, and Nethinim, showing that the Nethinim were under the authority of the Levites (see Nehemiah 7:73, 11:3, 20, 21). After returning from the Babylonian exile, they continued to be temple staff (Ezra 2:43, 58, 7:7, 24, 8:17, 20; Nehemiah 7:46, 60).

The Nethinim lived in Jerusalem (Ezra 7:7; Nehemiah 3:31, 11:21) and participated in rebuilding the city walls (Nehemiah 3:26). The exact identity of the Nethinim is not fully certain. Numbers 31:47 records that the Levites took some captives and made them do heavy and menial work. When the Gibeonites were absorbed into Israel as servants, they were also assigned the task of cutting wood and drawing water for the whole congregation of Israel and for the altar of the LORD (Joshua 9:9-27). David also ordered war captives to do similar work, increasing the number of servants in the tabernacle (Ezra 8:20). After the temple was built, Solomon increased the number of temple servants to meet the need for more staff. This newly added group of servants was called the “Servants of Solomon.” Ezra recorded that 392 Nethinim returned to Jerusalem (Ezra 2:58) and resumed the work their ancestors had done before the exile in the rebuilt temple. The Nethinim were listed as part of the congregation that renewed their covenant with God, dedicating themselves completely to Him (Nehemiah 10:28, 29).