Ezra 2:58

Translations

Modern

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

Traditional

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

Literal

All the Nethinim and the sons of the servants of Solomon were three hundred ninety-two.

Latin

…omnes Nathinæi, et filii servorum Salomonis, trecenti nonaginta duo.

Original

Hebrew

English

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

Notes

Ezra 2:55–58

The descendants of King Solomon's servants are linked to the temple servants (Ezra 2:43–54). Their names might show their duties. For example:
- Hassophereth, meaning "the scribe," probably kept inventories
- Pokereth-hazzebaim, meaning "gazelle-hunter," likely hunted game

Ezra 2:1–70

This chapter is Ezra's first major digression from the main story. The returning exiles needed to identify true Jews to maintain their community identity and theological purity. This helped them know whom they could marry and who could worship at the temple. This list is not the initial list of all Jews who returned to Jerusalem (compare Nehemiah 7:6–73). Instead, it is a slightly later list, created after Sheshbazzar died, of people who had settled in their towns.

Theme notes and profiles

Esther Zerubbabel

Related verses

1 Chronicles 9:2
Now the first to resettle their own property in their cities were Israelites, priests, Levites, and temple servants.
1 Kings 9:21
…their descendants who remained in the land, those whom the Israelites were unable to devote to destruction—Solomon conscripted these people to be forced laborers, as they are to this day.
Joshua 9:21
They continued, “Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers for the whole congregation.” So the leaders kept their promise.
Joshua 9:23
Now therefore you are under a curse and will perpetually serve as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.”
Joshua 9:27
On that day he made them woodcutters and water carriers, as they are to this day for the congregation of the LORD and for the altar at the place He would choose.
Nehemiah 7:60
The temple servants and descendants of the servants of Solomon numbered 392 in all.
Nehemiah 3:26
…and the temple servants living on the hill of Ophel made repairs opposite the Water Gate toward the east and the tower that juts out.
Ezra 7:7
So in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes, he went up to Jerusalem with some of the Israelites, including priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and temple servants.

Parallels

Nehemiah 7:4–69

People

Solomon: Son of David, king of Israel, known for his wisdom

Glossary

Book of Ezra Census First Book of Esdras Genealogy Nethinim Singer Slave, Slavery

Topics

Levites: The List of Those Who Returned from Captivity Nethinim: The Remnant of the Canaanites Appointed As, by Solomon Nethinims: Return from the Captivity

Ezra 2:58

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