Nethinim
Peopleâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
A group of temple-servants who were originally foreign slaves, mostly prisoners of war, given to the temple by kings and princes for menial duties. Their number was considerable, with 392 accompanying Zerubbabel at the first Return in 538 BC.
What is the meaning of Nethinim in the Bible?
A group of temple-servants who were originally foreign slaves, mostly prisoners of war, given to the temple by kings and princes for menial duties. Their number was considerable, with 392 accompanying Zerubbabel at the first Return in 538 BC.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the Nethinim clarifies the complex social hierarchy of the restored community, revealing how the temple administration incorporated non-Israelite populations into its operational structure to maintain ritual purity and logistical efficiency.
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Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.