נְתִינִים (na.tin)
na.tin
temple servant
N:N--TQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 13 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--T
Word Overview
The noun nethinim refers to a specific group of temple servants in post-exilic Judah, distinct from the Levites and priests. Their primary role was to assist with the practical duties of worship, such as maintaining the sanctuary and supporting the priestly staff. This term appears most frequently in the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and First Chronicles, highlighting their organized presence within the restored community.
Etymologically, the word derives from the root natan, meaning "to give," suggesting these individuals were "given" to the service of God or assigned to the Levites. Historical records in Nehemiah describe them dwelling in specific locations and being registered by name, indicating a formalized status within the religious hierarchy. They served as essential support for the liturgical life of the temple, ensuring that the sacred rituals could proceed smoothly.
Translators typically render nethinim as "temple servants" or "Nethinims," preserving the proper noun aspect while clarifying their function. Unlike the Levites, who had priestly lineage and musical duties, the Nethinims handled the logistical and manual aspects of temple maintenance. Their inclusion in the census lists underscores the importance of every member contributing to the communal worship structure during the restoration period.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word nethinim describes those who were 'given' to serve in God’s house. In the restored community of Jerusalem, this group handled the practical tasks that kept worship running smoothly. They maintained the sanctuary and supported the priests, ensuring that the sacred rituals could proceed without interruption. Their role was distinct from the Levites, focusing on the logistical and manual aspects of temple life.
This term appears frequently in Ezra and Nehemiah, highlighting how every member contributed to the communal structure. Even those with humble duties were registered by name, showing their essential place in the religious hierarchy. The inclusion of these servants underscores that faithful service takes many forms, each vital to the whole.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 13 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ temple servants8×
- and/ the/ temple servants6×
- temple servants1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/הַ/נְּתִינִ֖ים3×
- הַ/נְּתִינִ֑ים2×
- נְתִינִ֖ים1×
- וְ/הַ֨/נְּתִינִ֔ים1×
- וְ/הַ/נְּתִינִֽים\׃1×
- וְ/הַ/נְּתִינִ֔ים1×
- הַ֨/נְּתִינִ֔ים1×
- הַ/נְּתִינִים֙1×
- הַ/נְּתִינִֽים\׃\ \פ1×
- הַ/נְּתִינִ֗ים1×
- הַ/נְּתִינִ֖ים1×
- הַ/נְּתִינִ֔ים1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 8:20
and of the temple servants, whom David and the princes had given for the service of the Levites, two hundred twenty temple servants. All of them were mentioned by name.
This verse clarifies their origin, noting they were given by David and the princes specifically for the service of the Levites.
-
Nehemiah 3:26
(Now the temple servants lived in Ophel, to the place opposite the water gate toward the east, and the tower that stands out.)
It locates them in Ophel, showing their settled presence near the water gate as part of the city's restoration.
-
I Chronicles 9:2
Now the first inhabitants who lived in their possessions in their cities were Israel, the priests, the Levites, and the temple servants.
This census lists them alongside priests and Levites, confirming their official status in the first inhabitants of Jerusalem.