Ezra 2:58

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

All the Nethinims {H5411}, and the children {H1121} of Solomon's {H8010} servants {H5650}, were three {H7969} hundred {H3967} ninety {H8673} and two {H8147}.

Complete Jewish Bible

All the temple servants and the descendants of Shlomo's servants numbered 392

Berean Standard Bible

The temple servants and descendants of the servants of Solomon numbered 392 in all.

American Standard Version

All the Nethinim, and the children of Solomon’s servants, were three hundred ninety and two.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 2:58 meticulously records the return of 392 individuals from two distinct groups—the Nethinims and the children of Solomon's servants—who were traditionally dedicated to auxiliary temple service. This verse is part of a comprehensive census of those who embarked on the journey from Babylonian exile back to Judah, underscoring the thoroughness of the post-exilic community's re-establishment and highlighting the vital role of all members, regardless of their status, in the restoration of worship and communal life in Jerusalem.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezra 2 functions as a crucial register, detailing the families, groups, and individuals who responded to [Cyrus's decree](/ezra/1-1 "Ezra 1:1 - Cyrus's Decree for Return") to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. Following the initial account of the decree and the first wave of returnees in [Ezra 1](/ezra/1 "Ezra 1 - The Decree of Cyrus"), Chapter 2 provides a meticulous, almost bureaucratic, list of those who actually made the journey. This extensive roster includes priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and, importantly, the Nethinims and the children of Solomon's servants, as seen in verse 58. The placement of these groups, often considered lower-status temple workers, at the end of the main list of returnees but still within the official count, emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the restoration effort and the inclusion of all necessary personnel for the re-establishment of temple worship.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting for Ezra 2:58 is the immediate aftermath of the Babylonian exile, which had seen the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple in 586 BC and the deportation of the Jewish elite to Babylon. After approximately 70 years, the Persian Empire, under King Cyrus the Great, conquered Babylon in 539 BC. Cyrus issued a decree (c. 538 BC) allowing the exiled Jews to return to their homeland and rebuild their temple. The return journey itself was arduous and perilous, requiring great faith and determination. The Nethinims (Hebrew: נְתִינִים, _nethinim_, meaning "given ones" or "dedicated ones") were likely descendants of non-Israelite peoples, such as the [Gibeonites who were made woodcutters and water carriers for the altar](/joshua/9-27 "Joshua 9:27 - Gibeonites as Temple Servants") during Joshua's time, or other captives dedicated to temple service. The "children of Solomon's servants" were descendants of foreign laborers or captives whom King Solomon had conscripted for various building projects, including the temple, and whose descendants continued to serve in auxiliary capacities. Both groups held hereditary positions of service, performing menial but essential tasks for the sanctuary, highlighting their unique and long-standing role in Israelite worship.
* **Key Themes:** Ezra 2:58 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Ezra and the broader post-exilic narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **Restoration and Rebuilding**. The meticulous counting of every individual, including these auxiliary temple servants, underscores the methodical and organized effort to reconstitute not just the physical temple but the entire Israelite community. Secondly, the inclusion of the Nethinims and Solomon's servants highlights the **Inclusivity of God's People**. Despite their non-Israelite origins and often lower status, these groups were considered integral to the functioning of the temple and were counted among the returning exiles. This prefigures the New Testament understanding that [every part of the body is essential](/1_corinthians/12-22 "1 Corinthians 12:22 - Every Part of the Body is Essential") and valued in God's kingdom. Finally, the return of all these diverse groups, enabling the full spectrum of temple operations, speaks to **Divine Providence**. God's hand was clearly at work, orchestrating the return of all necessary individuals to ensure the complete re-establishment of worship and communal life in Jerusalem, demonstrating His faithfulness to His covenant promises.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Nethinims (Hebrew, _nethinim_):** This term literally means "given ones" or "dedicated ones." It refers to a class of temple servants who were not of Levitical descent, but who were "given" or dedicated to the service of the tabernacle and later the temple. Their duties often involved menial tasks such as drawing water, hewing wood, and other manual labor necessary for the upkeep and operation of the sanctuary. Their inclusion in the census underscores the comprehensive nature of the returning community and the importance of all roles, even those considered humble, for the functioning of sacred worship.
* **children of Solomon's servants (Hebrew, _`abdei shlomo_):** This phrase designates the descendants of foreign captives or laborers whom King Solomon had conscripted and assigned to assist the Levites in temple work and other royal projects. Like the Nethinims, they held hereditary positions of service to the sanctuary, performing essential but often overlooked tasks. Their presence among the returnees highlights the continuity of temple service traditions and the diverse ethnic composition of those who contributed to the worship of Yahweh in ancient Israel.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"All the Nethinims":** This phrase emphasizes the complete return of this specific class of temple servants. It signifies that none were left behind, indicating the thoroughness of the census and the divine orchestration that ensured all necessary personnel for temple service were included in the return to Jerusalem. Their presence was crucial for the practical operation of the rebuilt sanctuary.
* **"and the children of Solomon's servants":** This clause identifies a second distinct group of non-Israelite temple attendants. Grouped with the Nethinims, it underscores their shared function as auxiliary workers for the sanctuary. Their inclusion highlights the historical continuity of their service from the Solomonic era through the exile and into the post-exilic period, demonstrating God's preservation of even these specialized roles.
* **"[were] three hundred ninety and two":** This precise numerical tally for both groups combined is characteristic of the entire census in Ezra 2. It speaks to the meticulous record-keeping of the returning exiles, which served multiple purposes: establishing legitimacy for land claims, organizing the community, and demonstrating God's faithful preservation of a remnant. The exact number signifies the tangible reality of the restoration and the divine oversight in gathering every necessary individual for the rebuilding of God's people and His house.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Ezra 2:58, and indeed throughout much of Ezra 2, is **Enumeration** or **Census**. This meticulous listing of individuals and groups serves several important functions. Firstly, it provides a historical and administrative record, establishing the legitimacy and identity of the returning community. Secondly, it emphasizes the **Organization** and divine order inherent in the restoration process; God is not bringing His people back haphazardly but with precision and purpose. The inclusion of specific numbers for each group, down to the exact total of 392 for the Nethinims and Solomon's servants, underscores the thoroughness and divine orchestration of the return. Furthermore, the verse employs **Inclusivity** by explicitly naming and counting these non-Israelite, auxiliary temple servants alongside the more prominent groups like priests and Levites. This highlights that every individual, regardless of their perceived status or origin, was deemed vital for the complete re-establishment of the community and its worship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 2:58, by meticulously counting the Nethinims and the children of Solomon's servants, offers profound theological insights into God's meticulous care for His people and the value He places on all forms of service within His kingdom. It demonstrates that God's plan for restoration is comprehensive, encompassing not only the prominent leaders and priests but also those who perform the often unseen, yet essential, tasks. This meticulous accounting underscores the divine intention for a fully functional community, where every role contributes to the whole. It teaches us that no task is too humble, and no individual too insignificant, when dedicated to the Lord's purposes. God sees and values every contribution, ensuring that His house and His people are well-served and complete.

* [Nehemiah 7:60](/nehemiah/7-60 "Nehemiah 7:60 - Parallel Census of Nethinims and Solomon's Servants")
* [1 Corinthians 12:12](/1_corinthians/12-12 "1 Corinthians 12:12 - Many Members, One Body")
* [Romans 12:4-5](/romans/12-4 "Romans 12:4-5 - Diverse Gifts, One Body in Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezra 2:58 serves as a powerful reminder that in God's economy, every person and every role is indispensable. The Nethinims and the children of Solomon's servants, though performing what might be considered menial or less glamorous tasks, were just as vital to the functioning of the temple and the community's spiritual life as the priests and Levites. Their meticulous inclusion in the census teaches us to value every member of the body of Christ today, recognizing that the health and flourishing of the church depend on the faithful service of all, whether visible or unseen. It challenges us to embrace humility in our service, understanding that true greatness in God's kingdom often lies in faithfully executing the tasks that others might overlook. This verse encourages us to appreciate the diversity of gifts and callings within the church, celebrating how God uses all kinds of people, with various backgrounds and abilities, to accomplish His grand purposes and build His kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Ezra 2:58 challenge our modern tendency to prioritize visible or prominent roles over less visible forms of service in the church or community?**
* **In what ways might we be overlooking or devaluing the "Nethinims" and "Solomon's servants" in our own congregations today?**
* **What specific, perhaps "menial," tasks are essential for the functioning of your local church, and how can you better appreciate those who perform them?**
* **How does this verse encourage you to find value and purpose in whatever role God has called you to, regardless of its perceived status?**

### FAQ
**Who were the Nethinims and the children of Solomon's servants, and why were they included in this census?**

Answer: The Nethinims (Hebrew for "given ones") were a class of non-Israelite temple servants, likely descendants of peoples like the [Gibeonites](/joshua/9-27 "Joshua 9:27 - Gibeonites as Temple Servants") who were dedicated to performing menial but essential tasks for the sanctuary, such as drawing water and hewing wood. The children of Solomon's servants were descendants of foreign laborers or captives whom King Solomon had conscripted to assist in temple work. Both groups held hereditary positions of service. They were included in the census because, despite their non-Israelite origins and auxiliary roles, their services were crucial for the daily operation and upkeep of the temple. Their inclusion underscores the meticulous nature of the post-exilic community's re-establishment and the divine recognition of all necessary functions for the restoration of worship.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezra 2:58, with its emphasis on the meticulous counting and inclusion of all necessary personnel for the restoration of temple worship, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ and the New Covenant community. While the Nethinims and Solomon's servants served in the earthly temple, Christ Himself is the true and ultimate Temple, the dwelling place of God among humanity ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Speaks of His Body as the Temple")). In Him, the barriers of ethnicity and social status, which were implicitly present even in the Old Testament temple service, are completely broken down. Through Christ's atoning work, all believers, regardless of their background, are made fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Fellow Citizens with the Saints")). Just as Ezra meticulously counted every servant for the physical temple, Christ, as the Head of the Church ([Colossians 1:18](/colossians/1-18 "Colossians 1:18 - Christ as the Head of the Church")), gathers and values every member of His spiritual body, each with unique gifts and roles, all contributing to the building up of the church and the spread of the Gospel ([Ephesians 4:11-16](/ephesians/4-11 "Ephesians 4:11-16 - Gifts for the Building Up of the Body")). Jesus Himself exemplified the ultimate servant, coming not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many ([Matthew 20:28](/matthew/20-28 "Matthew 20:28 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")), thereby validating all humble service performed in His name. In Christ, the meticulous counting of Ezra 2:58 transforms into the glorious reality of a diverse, unified, and Spirit-empowered people, all serving the living God in the true Temple.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Chronicles 9:2

Now the first inhabitants that [dwelt] in their possessions in their cities [were], the Israelites, the priests, Levites, and the Nethinims.

1 Kings 9:21

Their children that were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel also were not able utterly to destroy, upon those did Solomon levy a tribute of bondservice unto this day.

Joshua 9:23

Now therefore ye [are] cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.

Joshua 9:21

And the princes said unto them, Let them live; but let them be hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation; as the princes had promised them.

Joshua 9:27

And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of the LORD, even unto this day, in the place which he should choose.

Ezra 7:7

And there went up [some] of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king.

Nehemiah 7:60

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