Ezra 2:43
The temple servants: the descendants of Ziha, the descendants of Hasupha, the descendants of Tabbaoth,
The temple servants
This phrase refers to a specific group of individuals who were dedicated to assisting the Levites in the service of the temple. In Hebrew, they are known as the "Nethinim," which means "given ones." Historically, these were non-Israelites who were assigned to perform menial tasks in the temple, likely originating from the Gibeonites who were made servants to the Levites as described in Joshua 9. Their role was crucial in maintaining the daily operations of the temple, ensuring that the Levites could focus on their priestly duties. This highlights the inclusivity of God's work, where even those outside the covenant community were given a place and purpose in His divine plan.

The descendants of Ziha
The mention of "Ziha" indicates a family lineage among the temple servants. The name "Ziha" may derive from a root meaning "brightness" or "splendor," suggesting a possible connection to the glory of serving in God's house. This lineage emphasizes the importance of heritage and continuity in the service of the temple, reflecting the biblical theme of generational faithfulness and the passing down of roles and responsibilities within the community of believers.

Hasupha
The name "Hasupha" is less clear in its etymology, but it is another family line among the temple servants. The inclusion of specific names in this list underscores the personal nature of service to God. Each name represents individuals and families who contributed to the worship and functioning of the temple, reminding us that every person has a unique role in the body of Christ, as articulated in 1 Corinthians 12.

Tabbaoth
The name "Tabbaoth" is also part of the genealogical record of the temple servants. The precise meaning of "Tabbaoth" is uncertain, but its presence in the text serves to complete the list of families dedicated to temple service. This highlights the meticulous care with which the Israelites recorded their history and the importance of each family in the collective worship of God. It serves as an inspiration for believers today to recognize and honor the contributions of all members within the church, regardless of their role or status.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Temple Servants (Nethinim)
These were individuals assigned to assist the Levites in the service of the temple. The term "Nethinim" comes from the Hebrew root "nathan," meaning "to give," indicating that they were given or dedicated to temple service.

2. Descendants of Ziha
Ziha is one of the family heads of the temple servants. The name may mean "brightness" or "splendor."

3. Descendants of Hasupha
Another family group among the temple servants. The name Hasupha is less clear in meaning but is part of the genealogical record.

4. Descendants of Tabbaoth
This is another family listed among the temple servants. The name Tabbaoth may mean "rings" or "ornaments."

5. Return from Exile
This event marks the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem, under the decree of King Cyrus of Persia, to rebuild the temple.
Teaching Points
Faithfulness in Service
The temple servants, though not Levites, played a crucial role in the worship and functioning of the temple. This teaches us that every role in the body of Christ is important, and faithfulness in service, regardless of visibility, is valued by God.

Heritage and Identity
The detailed genealogies remind us of the importance of spiritual heritage and identity. As believers, we are part of a spiritual lineage that calls us to uphold and pass on the faith.

Restoration and Renewal
The return from exile and the rebuilding of the temple symbolize God's desire for restoration and renewal. In our lives, God seeks to restore us to Himself and renew our hearts for His service.

Inclusivity in God's Plan
The inclusion of the temple servants, some of whom may have been non-Israelites, reflects God's inclusive plan for His people. We are called to embrace diversity within the church and recognize the unique contributions of each member.
Bible Study Questions
1. What can we learn from the role of the temple servants about serving in the church today?

2. How does the inclusion of detailed genealogies in the Bible impact our understanding of spiritual heritage and identity?

3. In what ways does the return from exile and the rebuilding of the temple parallel God's work of restoration in our lives?

4. How can we apply the principle of inclusivity seen in the temple servants to our church communities?

5. Reflect on a time when you served in a less visible role. How did that experience shape your understanding of faithfulness in service?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Nehemiah 7
This chapter provides a parallel list of the exiles returning to Jerusalem, including the temple servants, highlighting the continuity and importance of these individuals in the restoration of worship.

1 Chronicles 9
Chronicles the genealogies and duties of those who returned, emphasizing the roles of the Levites and temple servants in maintaining the worship practices.

Joshua 9
The Gibeonites, who became temple servants, are an early example of non-Israelites being integrated into the service of the Lord, showing God's inclusive plan for worship.
Spiritual SignificancesW. Clarkson Ezra 2:1-67
Men Forsaking the Worldly LifeJ.S. Exell Ezra 2:1-70
A Suggestive RecordWilliam Jones.Ezra 2:2-64
Religious ServiceWilliam Jones.Ezra 2:2-64
People
Akkub, Ami, Asaph, Asnah, Ater, Baanah, Bakbuk, Barkos, Barzillai, Bazluth, Besai, Bigvai, Bilshan, Darkon, Delaiah, Gahar, Gazzam, Giddel, Habaiah, Hagab, Hagabah, Hakkoz, Hakupha, Hanan, Harhur, Harsha, Hasupha, Hatipha, Hatita, Hattil, Hezekiah, Hodaviah, Immer, Israelites, Jaalah, Jedaiah, Jeshua, Joab, Jorah, Kadmiel, Keros, Koz, Lebanah, Mehida, Mehunim, Meunim, Mizpar, Mordecai, Nebuchadnezzar, Nehemiah, Nekoda, Nephusim, Neziah, Padon, Pahathmoab, Parosh, Paseah, Pashur, Peruda, Phaseah, Pochereth, Reaiah, Reelaiah, Rehum, Rezin, Seraiah, Shallum, Shalmai, Shephatiah, Shobai, Siaha, Sisera, Solomon, Sophereth, Sotai, Tabbaoth, Talmon, Thamah, Tobiah, Tobijah, Uzza, Zaccai, Zattu, Zerubbabel, Ziha
Places
Ai, Anathoth, Azmaveth, Babylon, Babylonia, Beeroth, Bethel, Bethlehem, Cherub, Geba, Hadid, Immer, Jericho, Jerusalem, Kiriath-arim, Lod, Michmas, Nebo, Netophah, Ono, Ramah, Tel-harsha, Tel-melah
Topics
Descendants, Hasupha, Hasu'pha, Nethinim, Nethinims, Servants, Sons, Tabbaoth, Tabba'oth, Temple, Ziha
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ezra 2:1-65

     5249   census

Ezra 2:1-67

     7230   genealogies

Library
Altar and Temple
'And when the seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem. 2. Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God. 3. And they set the altar upon his bases; for fear was upon them because of the people of those
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Apocalypse.
On the Lit. and life of John, see §§ 40 and 41 (this vol.); on the authorship of the Apoc. and the time of composition, § 37 (this vol.); § 41 (this vol.); and § 84 (this vol.) 1. Modern Critical, works of German and French scholars on the Apocalypse: Lücke (Voltständige Einleitung, etc., 2d ed., 1852; 1,074 pages of introductory matter, critical and historical; compare with it the review of Bleek in the "Studien and Kritiken" for 1854 and 1855); DeWette Com., 1848,
Philip Schaff—History of the Christian Church, Volume I

Barzillai
BY REV. GEORGE MILLIGAN, M.A., D.D. "There is nothing," says Socrates to Cephalus in the Republic, "I like better than conversing with aged men. For I regard them as travellers who have gone a journey which I too may have to go, and of whom it is right to learn the character of the way, whether it is rugged or difficult, or smooth and easy" (p. 328 E.). It is to such an aged traveller that we are introduced in the person of Barzillai the Gileadite. And though he is one of the lesser-known characters
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known

The Historical Books.
1. In the Pentateuch we have the establishment of the Theocracy, with the preparatory and accompanying history pertaining to it. The province of the historical books is to unfold its practiced working, and to show how, under the divine superintendence and guidance, it accomplished the end for which it was given. They contain, therefore, primarily, a history of God's dealings with the covenant people under the economy which he had imposed upon them. They look at the course of human events on the
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

The Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close.
The first important part of the Old Testament put together as a whole was the Pentateuch, or rather, the five books of Moses and Joshua. This was preceded by smaller documents, which one or more redactors embodied in it. The earliest things committed to writing were probably the ten words proceeding from Moses himself, afterwards enlarged into the ten commandments which exist at present in two recensions (Exod. xx., Deut. v.) It is true that we have the oldest form of the decalogue from the Jehovist
Samuel Davidson—The Canon of the Bible

And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah
"And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth unto Me (one) [Pg 480] to be Ruler in Israel; and His goings forth are the times of old, the days of eternity." The close connection of this verse with what immediately precedes (Caspari is wrong in considering iv. 9-14 as an episode) is evident, not only from the [Hebrew: v] copulative, and from the analogy of the near relation of the announcement of salvation to the prophecy of disaster
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Ezra-Nehemiah
Some of the most complicated problems in Hebrew history as well as in the literary criticism of the Old Testament gather about the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Apart from these books, all that we know of the origin and early history of Judaism is inferential. They are our only historical sources for that period; and if in them we have, as we seem to have, authentic memoirs, fragmentary though they be, written by the two men who, more than any other, gave permanent shape and direction to Judaism, then
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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