The Nethinims - Ezra 2:43

In the book of Ezra, Ezra shared about “the children of the province that went up out of the captivity” which included those who came with “Zerubabbel” among whom were “the children of the porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, in all an hundred thirty and nine”,and in chapter two and verse forty three of Ezra, Ezra shared about, “the Nethinims” where we read,

The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth,

The verse reads, “The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, ...” Ezra began with the words, “the Nethinims” which means “the temple slaves assigned to the Levites and priests for service in the sanctuary”: “the children” which means “the offspring and progeny” “of Ziha” or “belonging to Ziha whose name means parched and was an ancestor of a family of temple slaves who returned from exile in Babylon with Zerubbabel and a chief of the temple slaves in Ophel in the time of Nehemiah”. Ezra shared about the group of people known as the “Nethinims” who were servants to the Levites in the temple area, and the first family mentioned among them were the offspring of “Ziha”.

The verse continues, “... the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth,” Ezra added the words, “the children” or “the offspring and progeny” “of Hasupha” which means “belonging to Hasupha or Hashupha whose name means stripped and was the head of the family of temple slaves returning from exile in the first caravan”, “the children” or “the offspring and progeny” “of Tabbaoth” which means “belonging to Tabbaoth whose name means rings and was a family of temple slaves who returned from exile with Zerubbabel”. Ezra shared how the offspring of “Hasupha and Tabbaoth”were also among the “Nethinims” who went back to Jerusalem with Zerubabbel. 

When we consider Ezra's words in this verse, we learn about another group of Israelites who went back to Jerusalem with Zerubabbel. This group was known as the “Nethinims” or servants to the Levites who returned, and among them were the families of “Ziha, Hasupha and Tabaoth”. (See 1 Chronicles 9:2) God had a plan and purpose for these “servants” even as He has a plan for us in His Kingdom. He desires to have a personal relationship with us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when we receive Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put within us a passion and desire to be faithful to whatever He wants us to do and be in the world. (See Matthew 20:25-28) 

Next time Ezra shares about, “the children of Keros, Siaha and Padon”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".