besides 220 of the temple servants, whom David and his officials had set apart to attend the Levites. These were all mentioned by name.
Ezra's caravan back to Jerusalem included 220 temple servants — the Nethinim of older translations. David and his officials had set them apart to help the Levites. Two questions follow: who were these servants, and why does the verse name every one of them?
The name and the appointment
Start with the name. One dictionary explains what it means and who gave these servants their place:
Another writer adds what tradition says about where they came from:
Arno Clemens GaebeleinThe word means "given" or "devoted," that is, to God... According to Ezra 8:20 this order originated with King David. Jewish tradition identifies them with the Gibeonites. Joshua appointed the Gibeonites as helpers to the Levites (Joshua 9:3-27). Whatever their origin, they were devoted servants of God with certain duties in the temple.
No writer treats the link as proven.
Bondage turned into mercy
One writer follows the Gibeon link and sees mercy in their bondage:
Edward DennettHere, then, we probably find the origin of the Nethinim. God spared them from His own just judgment. If they came into slave-like bondage, it was bondage 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? The sword of the Lord's army did not destroy them; they were rescued. Centuries later they stand 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.
More servants than Levites
Now set the numbers side by side. The servants far outnumbered the Levites:
Edward DennettThere were still fewer than forty Levites, while there were two hundred and twenty Nethinim. That proves again what the comfortable ease of Babylon had done. The hopes and privileges of the nation had lost all practical power over their minds. Next to the laziness of the Levites, it is beautiful to notice how many Nethinim (probably of a foreign race) obeyed Ezra's call.
Every one written down
The verse ends by noting that all were mentioned by name. One writer ties that to the kind of service they did:
The Bible TreasuryThe lack of Levites grieved Ezra as he reviewed with care the company gathered at the river that runs to Ahava. He had the means for the proper service of God's house, but where were the ministers?... God gave effect to his desire. Nearly forty Levites answered the call, with more than two hundred Nethinim. Their service was lowly, yet the record names every one of them, to their honour.
Another writer asks why the verse bothers to say it:
Edward DennettIt may be with reference to this faithfulness that the verse says, "These were all mentioned by name." God notices their faithfulness, and had it written down.
The work no one sees
The Nethinim did not lead worship; they made it possible. One writer draws the line straight into ordinary life:
George DavisonIn Ezra 8:20 we read of the temple servants, "whom David and his officials had set apart to attend the Levites." In our day they would perhaps match those who do many services behind the scenes. Many things are necessary and have to be done week by week. People may often take them for granted, but someone has to do them.
The same writer names what holds such servants together:
George DavisonTrue devotion to the work and interests of the Lord would surely bind the saints together.
Summary
- Given. Their name means "given, devoted ones." They helped the Levites, and after the exile Scripture calls them ministers of God's house.
- Spared. If they came from Gibeon, God turned a curse into mercy. He kept them alive, kept them near His house, and gave them honourable company among His people.
- Willing. When Ezra called, 220 of them came, and fewer than forty Levites. The ones with the smaller claim showed the larger heart.
- Named. Lowly work was not nameless work. God noticed their faithfulness and had every name written down.
- Devoted. Today they match the people who do the needed work behind the scenes. Devotion to the Lord's work binds servants of every rank together.