Ezra 8:20

Also of the Nethinims, whom David and the princes had appointed for the service of the Levites, two hundred and twenty Nethinims: all of them were expressed by name.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(20) The Nethinims—It is here alone recorded that David appointed these to aid the Levites.

All of them were expressed by name.—Not, as some think, that they were all famous, but that Iddo sent their names in a list not given. The relief of their coming is gratefully ascribed to the “good hand of our God upon us.”

Benson Commentary

Ezra 8:20. Also of the Nethinims, whom David and the princes had appointed — The Gibeonites, who were devoted to the service of the Levites by Joshua and the princes of his time, (Joshua 9:21,) and are said to have been appointed by David and his princes, because they were confirmed by them in their former office, and more particularly applied to the several services of the temple. Of them two hundred and twenty, upon this hasty summons, listed themselves, and had the honour to be expressed by name in Ezra’s muster-roll. This success Ezra ascribes to the good hand of God upon them. If, where ministers have been wanting, the vacancies are well supplied, let God have the glory, and his good hand, qualifying them for the service, inclining them to it, and then opening a door of opportunity for them.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

8:1-20 Ezra assembles the outcasts of Israel, and the dispersed of Judah. God raised up the spirits of a small remnant to accompany him. What a pity that good men should omit a good work, for want of being spoken to!

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

And Sherebiah - Either a name has fallen out before the words "a man of understanding," or the "and" here has crept into the text by accident. Sherebiah appears among the most earnest of the Levites under Nehemiah (see the marginal references).

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

16-20. then sent I for Eliezer … with commandment unto Iddo the chief—Ezra sent this deputation, either by virtue of authority which by his priestly character he had over the Levites, or of the royal commission with which he was invested. The deputation was despatched to Iddo, who was a prince or chief of the Nethinims—for the Persian government allowed the Hebrews during their exile to retain their ecclesiastical government by their own chiefs, as well as to enjoy the privilege of free worship. Iddo's influence procured and brought to the camp at Ahava thirty-eight Levites, and two hundred twenty Nethinims, the descendants of the Gibeonites, who performed the servile duties of the temple.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

The Gibeonites, who were devoted to this service by Joshua and the princes of his time, Joshua 9:21, and are said to be appointed by David and his princes, because they were confirmed by them in their former office, and more particularly applied to the several services of the temple; though this be not distinctly related in 1 Chronicles 24 1Ch 25 1Ch 26, because his business there was to give an account only of the new constitutions and alterations made by David in those matters.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Also of the Nethinims, whom David and the princes had appointed for the service of the Levites,.... To wait upon them, and minister to them, as they did to the priests; some think those were the same with the Gibeonites, whom Joshua gave to the service of the sanctuary, and David confirmed; but others are of opinion these were different from them, and an addition to them:

two hundred and twenty Nethinims: all of them were expressed by name; in the history that Iddo sent of them to Ezra; and so the names of the Levites, though not here expressed, only the names of those they came with.

Geneva Study Bible

Also of the Nethinims, whom David and the princes had appointed for the service of the Levites, two hundred and twenty Nethinims: all of them were expressed by name.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

20. also of the Nethinims] R.V. and of the Nethinim.

whom David and the princes had appointed] R.V. whom David and the princes had given. ‘Given’, not ‘appointed’, more literal rendering and corresponds with meaning of Nethinim (=given). See on Ezra 2:55. The sentence illustrates the prevailing tradition as to the origin of the Nethinim.

for the service of] here as usually = “for ministration or service to”; cf. Exodus 30:16 : frequent in Chron. in the phrase “the service of the house of God”. Sometimes = “service rendered by”, e.g. Exodus 38:21. For its primary meaning cf. Nehemiah 5:18 (bondage).

all … expressed by name] cf. the same phrase 1 Chronicles 12:31; 1 Chronicles 16:41; 2 Chronicles 28:15; 2 Chronicles 31:19. The metaphor of the original is that of being ‘pricked’ off on the list. The list was probably before the compiler, who does not think it worth while to occupy space with the names.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 20. - The Nethinims, whom David and the princes had appointed. We learn this fact from the present passage only; since neither in Kings nor Chronicles is there any mention made of David's adding to the hieroduli, or temple servants. It is, however, quite in accordance with his other arrangements that he should have done so. The original Nethinims were the Gibeonites (Joshua 9:23). All... were expressed by name. Iddo sent to Ezra a list of the Nethinims, which, however, he does not think it necessary to insert.

CHAPTER 8:21-36 Ezra 8:20

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

With respect to the Nethinim, whom David and the princes (of Israel) had given for the service of the Levites (i.e., made servants of the temple, to perform the lowest offices for the Levites), comp. Joshua 9:21 and Ezra 2:43. "They all were distinguished by name," i.e., were men of note; comp. remarks on 1 Chronicles 12:31.