The Nethinim the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth,
Nehemiah's list of returning exiles moves down from priests, Levites, singers and gatekeepers to the temple servants. Why does Scripture keep the names of men who only helped at the sanctuary?
Older translations call this group the Nethinim. The name itself tells you their place:
The name means "given, devoted ones." It was applied to those who helped the Levites in the service of the tabernacle and the temple. The Gibeonites were made "cutters of wood and drawers of water for the congregation and for the altar" (Joshua 9:27). These are not mentioned after 2 Samuel, so they and their descendants may have been the Nethinim. God does not appear to have appointed them, as He did the Levites. Instead, "David and the princes" appointed them "for the service of the Levites" (Ezra 8:20). After the return from exile the Nethinim are called the "ministers of this house of God." Along with the priests and Levites they were exempt from "toll, tribute, or custom" (Ezra 7:24).
If these families go back to the Gibeonites, their story starts with mercy, not merit.
Here, then, we probably find the origin of the Nethinim — those who were spared from the just judgment of God. If they were reduced to servile bondage, it was bondage in His mercy, in connection with His house. So the very curse resting on them (see Joshua 9:23) was turned into a blessing. For what do we find? Instead of being destroyed with the sword of the Lord's host, they were rescued. Now, centuries later, they stand in honourable association with the Lord's people. They have a heart for the Lord's house as well, since they returned from Babylon with their fellow captives at this special moment. They are surely no small picture of the objects of grace even in this dispensation.
Not every Israelite was willing to go home. These servants came anyway.
We have said that the Nethinim were likely Gibeonites who entered the congregation in the time of Joshua. He told them, "some of you shall never be anything but servants, cutters of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God" (Josh. 9:23). We do not read of any of them refusing this place of submission to Israel. Their willingness to return to Judah shows a remarkable allegiance to the God of Israel, since they were Gentiles and had been away from Judah for seventy years. After so long an absence, not all of the Jews were prepared to return to their own country. So the faith of their Gentile adherents shines out all the more brightly.
Readers who have come through Ezra will recognise this catalogue. One commentator simply points back there rather than repeating himself:
Since the significance of this register of the genealogy of the people has already been given in our exposition of Ezra 2, there is no need to repeat it here. The reader is therefore referred to it to help him understand the rest of this chapter, for, as will be seen, Nehemiah 7:6-73 is the repetition of Ezra 2.
Lists like this are not filler. One writer draws out what a record of names means:
Here is another register of names recorded in God's book, and not forgotten by Him. The children of Judah, the children of Benjamin, the priests who acted as temple officials, the Levites, the Nethinim, and those with special callings are all named. Some day the Lord will be their Rewarder for their faithful service, as He will be the Rewarder of all His people.
Their work was support, not prominence. One writer finds encouragement in that:
It is remarkable that it was the Nethinim who were there maintaining the source of refreshment for the people of God. That should encourage all those who may not be able to take on any prominent service. Many a simple service can be used to set the affections of the saints free, and so enrich the service of God.
The writers quoted here call the Gibeonite link likely, not proven.
- Given. The name means "given, devoted ones." David and the princes, not a direct command of God, appointed them to serve the Levites.
- Spared. If they came from the Gibeonites, their bondage was mercy, not ruin. The curse on them turned into blessing, and they picture the objects of grace.
- Loyal. Gentiles by birth, and seventy years away from Judah, they still came home with the exiles. Their faith shines brighter than that of Israelites who stayed behind.
- Named. God does not lose the small names. The register stands in His book, and He will one day be the Rewarder of such faithful service.
- Hidden. Their work was to support others. That encourages everyone whose service is never seen: simple help still enriches the service of God.
the children of Keros, the children of Sia, the children of Padon,
Nehemiah found an old register of the first people to return from exile, and this verse sits inside its list of temple servants — three family names, no story, no deeds. So why did God keep names like Keros, Sia and Padon, and who were these families?
The register is not filler. One commentator reads its very survival as evidence of what pleases God.
Notice first that this record exists at all. That shows how precious to God was the response His grace had produced in the hearts of His people, however weakly they may have entered into His thoughts about His house. For this reason He has kept this list on record. It is evidence that He looks with joy on the smallest fruits of His Spirit's work. And He makes the very names of His people known and proclaimed, to encourage everyone to walk in His ways, to stand with His interests, and to stay faithful in times of corruption and apostasy.
These three families belong to a group called the Nethinim. The name itself says how they came to be there.
The word appears to mean "those who are given." The place their names occupy in the chapter has led to this conclusion: they came from another race, but were first given to the Levites for their service. In the same way, the Levites had been given to Aaron for the Lord's service in His tabernacle — the Levites by God's own command, and in the place of the firstborn of Israel.
One writer traces this group back to people who stood under God's judgment.
This is probably where we find the origin of the Nethinim — those who were spared from the just judgment of God. And if they were reduced to servile bondage, it was bondage in His mercy, tied to His house. So the very curse resting on them turned into a blessing. Instead of dying by the sword of the Lord's host, they were rescued. Centuries later we find them in honourable company with the Lord's people, and with a heart for the Lord's house too, since they returned from Babylon with their fellow captives at this special moment. They are no small picture of the objects of grace even in this age.
Their work was to serve others, out of sight. One writer brings it into the present.
In Ezra 8:20 we read that David and the princes had appointed the Nethinim for the service of the Levites. In our day they would perhaps be like those who do many services behind the scenes. Many things are necessary week by week. People may often take them for granted, but someone has to do them.
Ezra later needed servants for God's house, and these families came in numbers.
God gave effect to his desire, and nearly forty Levites answered the call, along with more than two hundred Nethinim, who, if their service was lowly, were all to their honour named individually.
This chapter repeats the list of Ezra 2, yet many figures do not match. Writers explain the gap differently. One points to the copying of numbers:
In the main the lists agree, and the overall total in both is the same. Yet the details differ strangely, and why may not be easy to decide. We know that numbers are especially liable to corruption through the carelessness or rashness of copyists.
Another sets that aside and looks at how the register grew:
Set aside the guess that copyists made mistakes — a guess as easy to make as it is unlikely. Notice first that Nehemiah's list of the leaders contains a name, Nahamani, which Ezra 2 does not mention. Second, the registers of family lines drawn up by Zerubbabel were kept up to date over a longer or shorter period.
Their place among God's people went further than a register.
When the people gathered in solemn assembly, the leaders sealed the covenant; and the Nethinim entered into a curse and an oath to walk in God's law and not to intermarry with the peoples of the land! Though they were descendants of the Amorites, they were now fully joined to the nation of Israel. With the faithful in Israel, these men of faith were blessed.
- Given. The name Nethinim means "those who are given." They were handed over to serve the Levites, just as the Levites were given for service in God's house.
- Spared. Their line began under judgment. The bondage that fell on them was mercy, and the curse turned into blessing.
- Named. Their service was lowly, yet God recorded each family. He takes joy in the smallest fruits of His work and makes His people's names known.
- Serving. They match the people who do the needed work behind the scenes — tasks taken for granted, but someone has to do them.
- Sealed. Outsiders by birth, they ended up swearing to keep God's law with Israel — men of faith, blessed with the faithful.
the children of Lebana, the children of Hagaba, the children of Salmai,
Verse 48 sits deep inside a long list of family names, all belonging to the Nethinim — the helpers who served the Levites at God's house. Why did God keep three bare names on record twice over, once in Ezra and again here?
This list is not Nehemiah's own work. He found an older document and copied it.
Israel were God's people on earth, so their genealogies mattered and had to be kept with care. God stirred Nehemiah's heart about this. He found that a careful register had been made years before, when the first group came back, as recorded at the start of the book of Ezra. Because the register mattered so much, we have it recorded again here. Ezra 2:1-67 is repeated almost word for word in our chapter, verses 6-69.
The register did practical work. With the wall finished, Nehemiah had to settle who truly belonged inside it.
The aim was to test the right of the people to be in the place where they were. They had kept up constant trade with the enemy. They had also made alliances, forgetting that the Lord had chosen them out of all the peoples on the earth as His own special people. So no doubt many could not show their genealogy, and so had no claim to be counted with Israel. Now that the wall was built, and so the truth of separation declared, such a mixture inside could no longer be allowed.
The three families in this verse belong to a class whose very name describes what happened to them.
The name means "given, devoted ones." It was used of those who helped the Levites in the service of the tabernacle and the temple. The Gibeonites were made "cutters of wood and drawers of water for the congregation and for the altar." Joshua 9:27. These are not mentioned after 2 Samuel, so they and their descendants may have been the "Nethinim." It does not appear that God appointed them, as He did the Levites. Instead "David and the princes" appointed them "for the service of the Levites." Ezra 8:20. After the return from exile the Nethinim are called the "ministers of this house of God."
The commentators are careful here: they call the Gibeonite link probable, not certain.
The Gibeonites escaped destruction and took up a life of hard labour instead. Centuries later their descendants stand in this list — mercy, not misfortune.
This is probably where we find the origin of the Nethinim — those who were spared from the just judgment of God. If they were brought down to slavery, it was slavery in His mercy, tied to His house. So the very curse that rested on them turned into a blessing. Instead of dying by the sword of the Lord's host, they were rescued. Now, centuries later, we find them in honourable company with the Lord's people, and with a heart for the Lord's house too, since they returned from Babylon with their fellow captives at this special moment.
Their willingness to make that journey stands out, because many Israelites stayed behind.
We do not read of any of them refusing this place of submission to Israel. Their willingness to return to Judah shows a remarkable loyalty to the God of Israel, since they were Gentiles and had been away from Judah for 70 years. After such a long absence, not all the Jews were ready to return to their own country. So the faith of these Gentile followers shines out all the brighter.
These were humble duties, and God still wrote the names down.
These humble duties are very valuable in the eyes of the Lord. See how gladly God records all the names of their fathers. It is the same today. Whether it is serving tables, passing the bread and the cup, or caring for the "upper room", the Lord forgets none of it. The names of those who have kept up this service are written down just as deservedly as any others. And we shall see, in more than one case, that the child of God who took the last place, forgetting himself to serve others, will hold a place of honour.
The keeping of the document itself carries the same message.
The fact that this list exists shows how precious to God was the response His grace had produced in His people, however weakly they had grasped His thoughts about His house. So He kept it on record, as proof that He sees with joy the smallest fruits of His Spirit's work, and that He knows His people's names and announces them, to encourage everyone to walk in His ways.
- Given — "Nethinim" means given, devoted ones. They helped the Levites and were later called ministers of God's house. David appointed them, not a direct command from God.
- Spared — the Gibeonites, their likely ancestors, escaped destruction and got hard labour at God's house instead. Their curse turned into mercy.
- Returned — after 70 years away these Gentiles chose to go back, while many Israelites stayed. Their loyalty shines out all the brighter.
- Registered — the smallest duties are valuable to the Lord. He writes down the names of those who do them, just as He does the well-known names.
- Rewarded — God kept the list as proof that He sees the smallest fruits of His work. And the one who takes the last place in service will hold a place of honour.
the children of Hanan, the children of Giddel, the children of Gahar,
Three names pass by in a single line here: Hanan, Giddel, Gahar. They sit inside a long block of names belonging to the temple servants, the Nethinim. Why did God keep a register of such people, and why is it written out twice?
The whole section is a copy of an earlier record, so the writers treat it as a deliberate repetition rather than new material.
Since the meaning of this register of the genealogy of the people has already been given in our exposition of Ezra 2, there is no need to repeat it here. The reader is therefore referred to it to help him understand the rest of this chapter, for, as will be seen, Nehemiah 7:6-73 is the repetition of Ezra 2.
How the register came to be reproduced is traced to Nehemiah's own heart, and the small differences between the two copies are faced openly.
"And my God put into my heart to gather together the nobles and the rulers, and the people for registration by genealogy. And I found a genealogical register of them that came up at the first"… Substantially the lists agree. The total in both is the same; yet the details differ strikingly: how this happened may not be so easy to decide. We know that numerals are especially liable to corruption, whether through the carelessness or the boldness of copyists.
The word itself explains the group these three families belong to, and the tasks they carried.
A name meaning "given, devoted ones," applied to those who assisted the Levites in the service of the tabernacle and the temple. The Gibeonites were made "cutters of wood and drawers of water for the congregation and for the altar" (Joshua 9:27). They are not mentioned after 2 Samuel, so they and their descendants may have been the Nethinim. It does not appear that God appointed them, as He did the Levites. "David and his officials" set them apart "to attend the Levites" (Ezra 8:20)… After the return from exile the Nethinim are called "servants of this house of God." They were, along with the priests and Levites, exempt from "tribute, custom, or toll" (Ezra 7:24).
If these families came from Gibeon, their low standing was itself an act of mercy.
Here, then, we probably find the origin of the Nethinim. God spared them from His just judgment. If they were reduced to slavery, it was bondage in His mercy, tied to His house. So the very curse resting on them was turned into a blessing. For what do we find? Instead of being destroyed by the sword of the Lord's army, they were rescued. Centuries later they stand in honourable association with the Lord's people. They even have a heart for the Lord's house, since they returned from Babylon with their fellow-captives at this special moment. They are surely no small picture of the objects of grace even in this age.
Their presence in the returning company is read as evidence of real devotion, measured against those who stayed behind.
We do not read of any of them refusing this place of submission to Israel. Their willingness to return to Judah shows a remarkable loyalty to the God of Israel. They were Gentiles, and they had been away from Judah for 70 years. After such a long absence, not all of the Jews were prepared to return to their own country. So the faith of these Gentile followers shines out all the more brightly.
Why record such obscure family names at all?
These modest duties are very valuable in the eyes of the Lord. See how God gladly registers all the names of their fathers. It is the same today. Whether it is serving tables, passing the bread and the cup, or taking care of the "upper room," the Lord forgets none of it. He registers the names of those who have kept the charge of this service just as deservedly as any others. And we shall see, in more than one case, that the one among God's children who took the last place, forgetting himself to serve others, will hold a place of honour. Meanwhile a certain remarkable gift, which tended to glorify man rather than Christ, will sit down in confusion in the last place.
Another writer draws the same line into ordinary congregational life today.
In our day they would perhaps answer to those who do many services behind the scenes, as we may say. Many things which are necessary, and have to be done week by week; things which may often be taken for granted, but someone has to do them.
- Given. The name Nethinim means "given, devoted ones" — helpers of the Levites, later called servants of the house of God and free from tax.
- Spared. If they came from Gibeon, their servitude was mercy, not merely judgment: the curse on them was turned into blessing, and they end up in honourable association with the Lord's people.
- Returned. No record shows them refusing that lowly place. They came back from Babylon when many Jews would not, so their faith shines the brighter.
- Registered. The register proved who had a right to be there, and it holds the modest names of Hanan, Giddel and Gahar as deservedly as any others.
- Rewarded. The one who took the last place to serve will hold a place of honour, while a gift that glorified man sits down in confusion.
the children of Reaiah, the children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda,
Three family names sit in the middle of a long roll call: Reaiah, Rezin, Nekoda. They belonged to the Nethinim, the temple servants who came back from exile. Why does Scripture copy out such names twice, and what does their place in the list say about who God keeps?
This section is not new material. It repeats an earlier list almost word for word. One commentator explains why:
Israel was God's earthly people, so their genealogies were important and had to be kept with care. God stirred Nehemiah's heart on this matter. He then found a careful register made years before, when the first group came back from exile, as recorded at the beginning of the book of Ezra. Because it was so important, we have the register recorded again. Ezra 2:1-67 is repeated almost word for word in our chapter, verses 6-69.
The existence of the list is itself the message:
The first thing to notice is this. The very existence of this record shows how much God valued the response His grace had produced in the hearts of His people, however weakly they may have entered into His thoughts about His house. For this reason He has kept this list. It is evidence that He looks with joy on the smallest fruits of His Spirit's work, and that He knows the names of His people and announces them, to encourage everyone to walk in His ways.
Commentators differ on where these families came from. They agree on what the name means:
The Nethinim were temple servants. The word means "given" or "devoted" — that is, to God. We find this name in only one other passage (1 Chron. 9:2). According to Ezra 8:20 this order began with King David. Jewish tradition identifies them with the Gibeonites, whom Joshua appointed as helpers to the Levites (Josh. 9:3-27). Whatever their origin, they were devoted servants of God assigned to certain duties in the temple.
If they came from the Gibeonites, these names carry a remarkable history:
Here, then, we probably find the origin of the Nethinim. They were people spared from the just judgment of God. And if they were reduced to slavery, it was slavery in His mercy, connected with His house. So the very curse resting on them turned into a blessing. For what do we find? Instead of dying by the sword of the Lord's army, they were rescued. And now, centuries later, they stand in honourable association with the Lord's people, with a heart for the Lord's house too, since they returned from Babylon with their fellow captives at that special moment.
Their service was lowly, and their names easy to overlook:
And God even takes account of those we might have forgotten: the Nethinim and Solomon's servants. These may not have been of Jewish descent, and they were occupied with lowly service. But God is pleased to mention all the names of the fathers of those who went up to Jerusalem. In the same way, members of the body of Christ have different tasks, duties and abilities. The most prominent ones may not be the most important ones (1 Cor. 12).
By the time the nation bound itself to God's law, these families stood inside the covenant:
When the people gathered in solemn assembly, their leaders sealed the covenant. The Nethinim entered into a curse and an oath to walk in God's law and not to intermarry with the peoples of the land. Though they were descendants of the Amorites, they were now fully part of the nation of Israel. With the faithful in Israel, these men of faith were blessed.
The men behind these names had long since died when Nehemiah copied the list out. Their work still stood:
The rest of the chapter shows how Nehemiah links the work he had done to the work of those who first returned with Zerubbabel, some eighty years before. How many of that group must have died by Nehemiah's day! Yet they are still held in honour, and their various services recalled. The work they did in their day made the work of Nehemiah's day possible.
- Given. The title over this verse means "given" or "devoted" — these families existed to serve at God's house.
- Spared. If they came from the Gibeonites, their servitude became mercy. They were rescued instead of destroyed, and the curse turned into blessing.
- Named. God records men of the lowest rank and of non-Jewish descent along with everyone else. The small fruits of His work are the ones He preserves.
- Included. These families later swore themselves to God's law. They were no longer outsiders attached to Israel, but counted within it.
- Remembered. Their service outlived them. Nehemiah's generation built on it, and God still keeps the record when the workers are gone.
the children of Gazzam, the children of Uzza, the children of Phaseah,
This verse sits deep inside a long list of the Nethinim — the temple servants — and gives only three family names. So why does God's book keep names like these at all, and why does it keep them twice?
This same register already stands in Ezra chapter 2. One writer sees the repeat itself as significant:
Chapter 2 gives us the number and the names of the company that went up. The Spirit of God attaches such importance to this company that their names are recorded a second time, in the book of Nehemiah.
Another writer asks what the existence of such a list shows about God:
The fact that this list exists shows how precious to God was the response His grace had produced in the hearts of His people, even though they grasped His thoughts about His house only weakly. That is why He has kept this list: to show that He looks with joy on the smallest fruits of His Spirit's work. The very names of His people are known and announced, to encourage everyone to walk in His ways, to stand with His interests, and to stay faithful in times of corruption and falling away from God.
The name itself tells us what they were:
The Nethinim were temple servants. The word means "given" or "devoted" — that is, given to God. We find this name in only one other passage (1 Chron. 9:2). According to Ezra 8:20 this order began with King David. Jewish tradition identifies them with the Gibeonites. Joshua appointed those men as helpers to the Levites (Josh. 9:3-27). Whatever their origin, they were devoted servants of God, with set duties in the temple.
Commentators differ over where they came from. Some trace them to Gibeon; others leave the question open.
If that link holds, names like Gazzam and Uzza belong to people who were once under God's judgment:
So this is probably where the Nethinim began: people spared from the just judgment of God. If they were forced into slave service, it was service in His mercy, tied to His house. The very curse resting on them turned into a blessing. Instead of being destroyed by the sword of the Lord's army, they were rescued. Centuries later we find them in honourable company with the Lord's people, and with a heart for the Lord's house too, since they returned from Babylon with their fellow-captives at this special moment. They are surely no small picture of the objects of grace even in our own day.
Later in the same book, they bind themselves by oath along with everyone else:
When the people gathered in solemn assembly and the leaders sealed the covenant, the Nethinim took a curse and an oath on themselves: to walk in God's law, and not to intermarry with the peoples of the land! They really were descendants of the Amorites, yet they were now fully joined to the nation of Israel. With the faithful in Israel, these men of faith were blessed.
One writer turns these modest duties into a lesson for today:
These modest duties are very valuable in the eyes of the Lord. See how gladly God registers all the names of their fathers. It is the same today. Whether it is a matter of serving tables, of passing the bread and the cup, or of taking care of the "upper room", the Lord forgets none of it. He records the names of those who have kept charge of this service just as rightly as the others. And in more than one case we shall see this: the one among the children of God who took the last place, forgetting himself to serve others, will hold a place of honour, while a remarkable gift that tended to glorify man rather than Christ will sit down in shame in the last place.
- Given. The name Nethinim means "given" or "devoted" — men set apart for duties in the temple, and known by that gift of themselves.
- Spared. If they came from Gibeon, their slave service was mercy. The curse on them became a blessing, and they picture the objects of grace.
- Joined. Amorites by descent, they took the oath with everyone else and shared the blessing of the faithful in Israel.
- Named. God records the fathers of the lowest servants as fully as anyone else's, and He keeps the list twice over.
- Rewarded. Whoever takes the last place to serve will hold a place of honour, while a gift that glorified man ends in shame.
the children of Besai, the children of Meunim, the children of Nephishesim,
The three names in Nehemiah 7:52 belong to the Nethinim — the lowest rank of workers attached to God's house. Why would God keep a record of temple servants nobody remembers?
The whole block of names in this chapter is not new material. One writer simply points the reader back to the earlier list rather than going over the same ground:
Since the meaning of this register of the genealogy of the people has already been given in our exposition of Ezra 2, there is no need to repeat it here. The reader is therefore referred to it to help him understand the rest of this chapter, for, as will be seen, Nehemiah 7:6-73 is the repetition of Ezra 2.
Besai, Meunim and Nephushesim head families among the Nethinim, a group whose very name describes what they were:
The Levites were the tribe set apart for work at the sanctuary. The Nethinim came under them, as their helpers. Yet these woodcutters and water-carriers paid no tax, exactly like the priests.
So these families may descend from a people once put under a curse and sentenced to slavery. That makes their place in this register worth explaining:
It is here, then, that we probably find the origin of the Nethinim. They were spared from the just judgment of God. And if they were brought down into slavery, it was slavery in His mercy, tied to His house. So the very curse resting on them (see Joshua 9:23) turned into a blessing. For what do we find? Instead of being destroyed by the sword of the Lord's host, they were rescued. And now, centuries later, they stand in honourable company with the Lord's people. They have a heart for the Lord's house too, since they returned from Babylon with their fellow captives at this special moment. They are surely no small picture of those who receive grace, even in our own day.
The list does not stop at leaders and priests. It runs down to the very bottom of the workforce:
And God even takes account of those we might have forgotten: the Nethinim (v.43) and Solomon's servants (v.55). These may not have been of Jewish descent, and they were occupied with lowly service. But God is pleased to mention all the names of the fathers of those who went up to Jerusalem. In the same way, members of the body of Christ have different tasks, duties, and abilities. The most prominent members may not be the most important ones (1 Corinthians 12).
Another writer draws a warning from it about who ends up honoured:
These modest duties are very valuable in the eyes of the Lord. See how, from verse 43 to verse 57, God gladly registers all the names of their fathers. It is the same today. Serving tables, passing the bread and the cup, caring for the "upper room" — the Lord forgets none of it… And we shall see, in more than one case, that the child of God who took the last place, forgetting himself to serve others, will hold a place of honour. Meanwhile a remarkable gift that tended to glorify man instead of Christ will sit down in shame in the last place.
Nehemiah did not compile these names out of curiosity. The purpose was to test who had a right to be there at all:
The aim was to examine the people's right to be in the place where they were. They dealt with the enemy constantly, and they had formed alliances. They forgot that the Lord had chosen them out of all the peoples on the earth as His own people. So there would doubtless be many who could not show their genealogy, and had no claim to be counted with Israel. The wall was now built, and the truth of separation was proclaimed with it. A mixture like that could no longer be allowed inside.
- Given — "Nethinim" means given, devoted ones. These families existed to help the Levites at God's house.
- Spared — they were probably descended from a people under judgment. Their slavery became mercy, and the curse on them turned into blessing.
- Returned — they came up from Babylon with Israel, with a heart for the Lord's house.
- Recorded — God names the lowest servants as fully as the leaders. Small service is not forgotten service.
- Reckoned — the register was also a test. The same list that honours humble workers shuts out those who could not prove they belonged.
the children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,
Nehemiah 7:53 names three families — Bakbuk, Hakupha and Harhur — from deep inside a long list of temple servants called the Nethinim. Names like these are easy to skip, so why does Scripture record them twice?
This list had already been written down once. One writer explains why it appears a second time.
Israel was God's earthly people, so their family records mattered and had to be kept with care. God stirred Nehemiah's heart about this. Nehemiah then found that someone had drawn up a careful register years before, when the first group went back — the register recorded at the start of the book of Ezra. Because it matters so much, we have that register recorded here again.
The list also says something about God.
The list exists, and that shows how much God valued the response His grace had produced in the hearts of His people. They may have entered only weakly into His thoughts about His house. Even so, He has kept this list, as evidence that He looks with joy on the smallest fruits of His Spirit's work. It shows too that the very names of His people are known and announced, to encourage everyone to walk in His ways, to stand with His interests, and to stay faithful in times of corruption and falling away.
The name "Nethinim" itself tells us who these families were.
Writers treat the link with the people of Gibeon as likely, not certain.
If that link holds, these names carry a past that began under God's judgment.
Here, then, we probably find where the Nethinim came from. They were the people God spared from His just judgment. If they were brought down to slavery, it was slavery in His mercy, tied to His house. So the very curse resting on them (see Joshua 9:23) turned into a blessing. What do we find? Instead of being destroyed by the sword of the Lord's army, they were rescued. Now, centuries later, they stand in honoured company with the Lord's people, and they have a heart for the Lord's house too, because they came back from Babylon with their fellow captives at this special moment. They are surely no small picture of the objects of grace even in this age.
One writer sets their return beside the Jews who stayed in Babylon.
We never read of any of them refusing this place of submission to Israel. Their willingness to return to Judah shows a remarkable loyalty to the God of Israel. They were Gentiles, and they had been away from Judah for 70 years. After so long away, not all of the Jews were willing to return to their own country. So the faith of these Gentile followers shines out all the brighter.
God gives whole verses to naming these families, and one writer draws out what that means for quiet service today.
These humble jobs are very valuable in the eyes of the Lord. See how, from verse 43 to verse 57, God gladly writes down all the names of their fathers. It is the same today. Serving tables, passing the bread and the cup, looking after the "upper room" — the Lord forgets none of it. He writes down the names of those who have kept this service just as fittingly as the names of others.
One writer carries the thought into the church, where roles differ.
These families may not have been Jewish by descent, and their service was lowly. But God is pleased to mention all the names of the fathers of those who went up to Jerusalem. In the same way, in the body of Christ, members have different tasks, duties, and abilities. The most prominent ones may not be the most important ones (1 Cor. 12).
- Given — "Nethinim" means "given, devoted ones." They helped the Levites, and David and the princes appointed them.
- Spared — Their line likely runs back to people marked for destruction. Bondage came instead, and in God's mercy the curse became a blessing.
- Devoted — Outsiders by birth, they came back from Babylon when many Jews would not. Their loyalty shines all the brighter.
- Recorded — God names Bakbuk, Hakupha and Harhur here because He knows His people. He delights in the smallest fruit of His work.
- Rewarded — The lesson holds now. God records quiet service as surely as public service. The most visible workers may not be the most important.
the children of Bazlith, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,
Nehemiah 7:54 sits deep inside a long list of family names from the people who came back from exile in Babylon. The three families named here belong to the Nethinim, the temple servants. Why would God keep the names of such obscure people?
The same register appears earlier in Ezra 2. One writer compares the two:
These are the same people, though some names appear in different forms. On the whole the lists agree. The total in both is the same, yet the details differ sharply. It may not be easy to decide why. Numbers are very open to corruption, whether by careless or bold copyists. For instance, in Ezra 2:5 the sons of Arah are 775, in Nehemiah 7:10 they are 652.
The families of verse 54 are not Israelite heads of tribes. They belong to a distinct class with a name that describes them:
The name means 'given, devoted ones'. It describes those who helped the Levites serve at the tabernacle and the temple. Joshua made the Gibeonites "cutters of wood and drawers of water for the congregation and for the altar" (Joshua 9:27). The Gibeonites are not mentioned after 2 Samuel, so they and their descendants may have been the Nethinim. Some of the captives taken from Midian were also given to the Levites (Numbers 31:46-47). There is no sign that God appointed them, as He appointed the Levites. David and his officials did that (Ezra 8:20). After the return from exile the Nethinim are called the 'ministers of this house of God'. Along with the priests and Levites, they were free from tribute, custom, and toll (Ezra 7:24).
Writers put the Nethinim's descent from the Gibeonites as likely, not certain.
That descent would make their place in this register remarkable. One writer reads their slavery as mercy:
It is probably here that we find the origin of the Nethinim — those who were spared from the just judgment of God. If they were brought into slavery, it was slavery in His mercy, tied to His house. So the very curse resting on them (see Joshua 9:23) became a blessing. For what do we find? The sword of the Lord's host did not destroy them; they were rescued instead. Now, centuries later, we find them in honourable company with the Lord's people. They had a heart for the Lord's house too, since they returned from Babylon with their fellow captives at this special moment. They are surely no small picture of the objects of grace in this present time.
God had His own reason for keeping a chapter of names:
The very existence of this record shows something. God prized the response His grace had produced in the hearts of His people. They had grasped His thoughts about His house only weakly, yet He prized their response. So He kept this list. It shows that He sees the smallest fruits of His Spirit's work with joy. It shows that He knows the names of His people and announces them. All of this encourages us to walk in His ways, to stand with His interests, and to stay faithful in times of corruption and falling away.
Another writer looks at the same list and sees how God keeps account:
This chapter contains the names of the returning remnant. It is a specimen page of the records God keeps. From it we may learn that He remembers His people. He knows them by name, and He does not forget their works... He has a book of remembrance (Malachi 3:16). The apostle reminded the Hebrew believers of this when he wrote: "For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do" (Hebrews 6:10).
One writer connects their work to the present day:
Their whole work was to serve the Levites; they laboured for the Levites. In Ezra 8:20 we read, "Also of the temple servants, whom David and his officials had set apart to attend the Levites." In our day they might match those who do many services behind the scenes, as we might say. Many things are necessary week by week. People may take them for granted, but someone has to do them.
- Given. The name "Nethinim" means given, or devoted. Their work was to help the Levites at God's house.
- Spared. What began as a curse on a defeated people became bondage in mercy, tied to God's house.
- Returned. Centuries later these families left Babylon with Israel. They had a heart for the house they served.
- Named. God kept the list because He sees the smallest fruits of His Spirit's work with joy. He knows His people by name.
- Rewarded. He is not unjust so as to overlook work done for His name — including the work nobody sees.
the children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Thamah,
Three names and nothing more: Barkos, Sisera, Temah. They sit deep inside a list of temple servants that Nehemiah copied out and filed away. Why does Scripture keep such a list, and why do these particular families stand in it?
The register in this chapter is not fresh writing by Nehemiah. He copied an older document. Its differences from the matching list in Ezra tell their own story.
Chapter 7:6-73 quotes a register of names. It differs in many places from the register in Ezra 2:1-70. Both lists probably come from public documents... The differences between Ezra 2 and Nehemiah 7 show that Nehemiah did not copy from Ezra's record.
Barkos, Sisera and Temah head families of the Nethinim, the temple servants. Their name says what they were, and it matters who put them in that place.
The name means "given, devoted ones." It was used of those who helped the Levites in the service of the tabernacle and the temple... There is no sign that God appointed them, as He appointed the Levites. Instead "David and the princes" appointed them "for the service of the Levites." Ezra 8:20... After the return from exile the Nethinim are called the "ministers of this house of God." Like the priests and Levites, they paid no "toll, tribute, or custom."
Where did these families come from? Commentators look outside Israel.
The Gibeonites were made to cut wood and carry water "for the congregation and for the altar." Joshua 9:27. They are not mentioned after 2 Samuel, so they and their descendants may have been the "Nethinim."... Some of the Midianite captives were also given to the Levites. Num. 31:46-47.
If that is right, this list is a record of mercy.
This is probably where the Nethinim came from: people who were spared from the just judgment of God. If they were brought into slavery, it was slavery in His mercy, tied to His house. So the very curse that rested on them (see Joshua 9:23) was turned into a blessing. For what do we find? Instead of being destroyed by the sword of the Lord's host, they were rescued. Now, centuries later, we find them honourably joined to the Lord's people, and with a heart for the Lord's house too, since they came back from Babylon with their fellow captives at this special moment. Surely they are no small picture of the objects of grace in our own day.
One of these three names has a history. It belonged to a commander who fought Israel and lost.
Captain of the army of Jabin, king of the northern Canaanites. God stepped in, and Deborah and Barak destroyed his army. Sisera, thirsty and tired, took shelter in the tent of Jael. She killed him by hammering a tent peg through his head.
(Correct link: Morrish Bible Dictionary.) The dictionary lists the Sisera of this verse separately, simply as an ancestor of some of the Nethinim who returned from exile — but a name once attached to Israel's enemy now sits in the roll of those who came home to serve God's house.
The Nethinim helped others do the work. Yet God slows down to name family after family.
These modest jobs are very valuable in the eyes of the Lord. See how, from verse 43 to verse 57, God takes pleasure in recording all the names of their fathers. It is the same today. Whether it is serving tables, passing the bread and the cup, or taking care of the "upper room", none of this is forgotten by the Lord. He records the names of those who have kept up this service just as rightly as any other. And we shall see, in more than one case, that the child of God who took the last place, forgetting himself to serve others, will have a place of honour.
The practical parallel is not hard to find. Every gathering of God's people runs on work nobody applauds.
In Ezra 8:20 we read, "Also of the Nethinim, whom David and the princes had appointed for the service of the Levites". In our day they would perhaps answer to those who do many services behind the scenes, as we may speak. Many things which are necessary, and have to be done week by week; things which may often be taken for granted, but someone has to do them.
- Given. The Nethinim were "given, devoted ones" — helpers for the service of the Levites. David and the princes appointed them, not a direct command of God.
- Spared. Commentators trace them to outsiders spared from judgment. Their slavery turned out to be mercy, and the curse on them became a blessing.
- Named. Barkos, Sisera and Temah did nothing famous. God still records their families, name by name.
- Placed. Their work supported others. The Lord counts such modest jobs very valuable.
- Rewarded. Whoever takes the last place to serve others will end up in a place of honour.
the children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.
Two more family names close the list of the Nethinim, the temple servants, in the register Nehemiah copied out. Most readers have never heard of them. So why did God keep their names, and who were these servants?
"Nethinim" is not a family name. It describes a whole class of workers attached to the temple. A Bible dictionary explains the name and the work:
The name means "given, devoted ones." It describes those who helped the Levites in the service of the tabernacle and the temple. The name first appears in 1 Chronicles 9:2, and then in Ezra and Nehemiah. The Gibeonites were made "cutters of wood and drawers of water for the congregation and for the altar" (Joshua 9:27). Scripture does not mention the Gibeonites after 2 Samuel, so they and their descendants may have been the Nethinim. God does not appear to have appointed them, as He did the Levites. Instead, David and his officials set them apart to attend the Levites (Ezra 8:20). After the return from exile, the Nethinim are called servants of this house of God. Like the priests and Levites, they paid no tribute, custom, or toll (Ezra 7:24).
If the Gibeonites were their ancestors, these families began under a life sentence of servitude. One writer sees mercy in it, not only punishment:
It is here, then, that we probably find the origin of the Nethinim — those whom God spared from His just judgment. If they were brought into servile bondage, it was bondage in His mercy, tied to His house. So God turned the very curse resting on them (see Joshua 9:23) into a blessing. For what do we find? Instead of dying by the sword of the Lord's host, they were rescued. Centuries later, we find them in honourable association with the Lord's people. They had a heart for the Lord's house too, since they returned from Babylon with their fellow captives at this special moment. In this they are surely no small picture of those who receive grace even in our own day.
The writers are careful here. One says the Nethinim "may have been" the Gibeonites' descendants; another calls Gibeon their probable origin.
Names like Neziah and Hatipha stand on a list of people who chose to come back:
We do not read of any of them refusing this place of submission to Israel. Their willingness to return to Judah shows a remarkable loyalty to the God of Israel. They were Gentiles, and they had been away from Judah for 70 years. After so long an absence, not all of the Jews were ready to return to their own country. So the faith of these Gentiles who joined Israel shines out all the more brightly.
They also took on the same obligations as everyone else:
When the people gathered in solemn assembly, their leaders sealed the covenant. The Nethinim entered into a curse and an oath to walk in God's law, and not to intermarry with the peoples of the land! They really were descendants of the Amorites. Yet they were now fully part of the nation of Israel. With the faithful in Israel, these men of faith were blessed.
The register names the well known and the unknown with the same care. One writer draws a line from that to Christian service today:
And God even takes account of those we might have forgotten: the Nethinim and Solomon's servants. These may not have been of Jewish descent, and they did lowly work. But God is pleased to mention all the names of the fathers of those who went up to Jerusalem. In the same way, members of the body of Christ have different tasks, duties, and abilities. The most prominent ones may not be the most important ones (1 Corinthians 12).
Their work has a plain modern parallel:
In our day they would perhaps answer to those who do many services behind the scenes. Many necessary things have to be done week by week. People may often take them for granted, but someone has to do them.
A list of unfamiliar names is easy to skip. God kept this one, in Ezra and again here:
Here is another register of names recorded in God's book, and not forgotten by Him. Judah, Benjamin, the priests, the Levites, the Nethinim, and those with special callings are all named. One day the Lord will be their Rewarder for their faithful service, as He will be the Rewarder of all His people.
- Given. "Nethinim" means "given, devoted ones" — helpers set apart for the Levites by David and his officials, not by God's direct command.
- Spared. If they descended from Gibeon, their bondage was mercy in disguise: the curse of Joshua 9:23 became their link to the house of God.
- Returned. After seventy years away, these outsiders chose Jerusalem when many Jews would not. Then they bound themselves by oath to God's law alongside Israel.
- Serving. Their work was the unseen kind that still has to be done every week. In the body of Christ, the most prominent members may not be the most important.
- Remembered. Neziah and Hatipha mean nothing to us. They mean everything to God, who wrote them down and will reward the service behind them.