Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Chronicles 9:2
Now the first inhabitants that [dwelt] in their possessions in their cities [were], the Israelites, the priests, Levites, and the Nethinims.
2. The text of this verse seems to be faulty, but the meaning is probably the same as in Ezr 2:70 (cp. ibid. Ezr 2:1). Now those who first returned from Babylon to dwell in Judaea, again, dwelt (not in Jerusalem, but) in their own cities; this did they all whether they were laymen, priests, Levites; or Nethinim.
the first inhabitants ] The word “first” here corresponds with the phrase “the chiefs of the province” in Neh 11:3 (R.V.), and may be interpreted by it, for “first” gives no satisfactory sense if understood in reference to time. The list which follows (1Ch 9:4 ff.) is a list of chief men.
were] They belonged to the following four classes:
the Israelites ] R.V. Israel, i.e. laymen as distinguished from men of Levitical descent. According to 1Ch 9:3 Israel included at least Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh (cp. Psa 80:2, where Judah the speaker associates Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh with herself in her appeal to the God of Israel). This is a totally different usage from that of earlier times, when Israel meant the Northern kingdom, and Judah the Southern.
Levites ] R.V. the Levites.
Nethinims ] R.V. Nethinim. These were a class of Temple servants reckoned as inferior to the Levites. Perhaps they were of foreign extraction and included the Gibeonites (cp. Jos 9:23). They are mentioned nowhere else in the Old Testament except in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, See Ryle’s note on Ezr 2:43.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The first inhabitants – i. e. the first inhabitants of the holy land after the return from the captivity. They are enumerated under four heads:
(1) Israelites, i. e. the mass of the laity, whether belonging to the ten tribes or the two;
(2) priests;
(3) Levites; and
(4) the lowest order of the ministry, the Nethinims.
These last, whose name is derived from a root to give, were a sort of sacred slaves – persons given to the Levites to perform the more laborious duties of the sanctuary. Some had been given as early as the time of Moses Num 31:47; and the number afterward increased Jos 9:23; Ezr 8:20. At the time of the return from the captivity, owing to the small number of Levites who came back Ezr 2:40-42, the services of the Nethinims became very important. They are mentioned under the name of Nethinims only in Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 2. Now the first inhabitants] This is spoken of those who returned from the Babylonish captivity, and of the time in which they returned; for it is insinuated here that other persons afterwards settled at Jerusalem, though these mentioned here were the first on the return from the captivity. Properly speaking, the divisions mentioned in this verse constituted the whole of the Israelitish people, who were, ever since the days of Joshua, divided into the four following classes:
1. The priests.
2. The Levites.
3. The common people, or simple Israelites.
4. The Nethinim, or slaves of the temple, the remains of the Gibeonites, who, having deceived Joshua, were condemned to this service Jos 9:21, &c. In David’s time it is probable that other conquered people were added, as the successors of the Gibeonites were not sufficient to perform all the drudgery of the temple service.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The first inhabitants; the first after the return from Babylon.
That dwelt in their possessions in their cities, i.e. that took possession of their own lands and cities, which had been formerly allotted to them; but of late years had been taken from them for their sins, and possessed by other people.
The Israelites, i.e. the common people of Judah and Israel, called here by the general name of Israelites, which was given to them before that unhappy division of the two kingdoms, and now is restored to them when the Israelites are united with the Jews in one and the same commonwealth, that so all the names and signs of their former division might be blotted out. And although the generality of the ten tribes were yet in captivity, yet divers of them were now returned; either such as had long before the captivity fled to Jerusalem to worship God, and joined themselves with Judah, as those 2Ch 11:16, and others; or such as, upon Cyruss general proclamation, associated themselves, and returned with those of Judah and Benjamin.
The priests, Levites; these took possession of the cities or places belonging to them, as they had need and opportunity. The
Nethinims; a certain order of men, either Gibeonites, or others joined with them, devoted to the service of God, and of his house, and of the priests and Levites; who, that they might attend upon their work without distraction, had certain places and possessions given to them; which they are now said to repossess.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
2. the first inhabitants that dweltin their possessionsThis chapter relates wholly to the firstreturned exiles. Almost all the names recur in Nehemiah (Ne11:1-36), although there are differences which will be explainedthere. The same division of the people into four classes wascontinued after, as before the captivity; namely, the priests,Levites, natives, who now were called by the common name ofIsraelites, and the Nethinims (Jos 9:27;Ezr 2:43; Ezr 8:20).When the historian speaks of “the first inhabitants that dweltin their possessions,” he implies that there were others whoafterwards returned and settled in possessions not occupied by thefirst. Accordingly, we read of a great number returning successivelyunder Ezra, Nehemiah, and at a later period. And some of those whoreturned to the ancient inheritance of their fathers, had livedbefore the time of the captivity (Ezr 3:12;Hag 2:4; Hag 2:10).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Now the first inhabitants that dwelt in their possessions in their cities,…. Who first returned from Babylon upon the proclamation of Cyrus, and enjoyed their former possessions, and dwelt in the cities they had before, or in such as were allotted them, or they chose:
[were], the Israelites, the priests, Levites, and the Nethinims; the whole body that returned were divided into four classes, as they had been before the captivity; the Israelites were the common people in general, the body politic; the priests, the ecclesiastics, who officiated in sacred things; the Levites, who ministered to them; and the Nethinims were such persons as were “given”, as the word signifies, to do servile work for the sanctuary, as, to be hewers of wood and drawers of water; such were the Gibeonites, Jos 9:27, and such as were appointed by David for such work, see Ezr 8:20.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
2. Israelites priests Levites Nethinim Four classes of inhabitants. The Israelites here denote the mass of the people, the laity, as distinguished from the three classes next named.
The Nethinim The given ones. Hebrew, ; Septuagint . Here this name first occurs as an appellative, though the participle Nethunim, ( ,) from the same root, is applied to the Levites of the time of Moses.
Num 3:9; Num 8:19. The Levites were given to Aaron and his sons to do service in the tabernacle. At a later time a number of captive Midianites were given to the Levites to assist them in the charge of the tabernacle, (Num 31:47😉 and still later the Gibeonites were also given to be “hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of the Lord.” Jos 9:27. Jewish tradition regards the Nethinim as descendants of those ancient Gibeonitish sanctuary slaves, so that they seem ever to have borne the stigma of a Canaanitish origin. Their work was to perform the menial and laborious service connected with the sanctuary, such as carrying wood and water, and any similar labour which the Levites might require of them. “The only period at which they rise into any thing like prominence, is that of the return from the captivity. In that return the priests were conspicuous and numerous; but the Levites, for some reason unknown to us, hung back. Under Zerubbabel there were but three hundred and forty-one Levites to four thousand two hundred and eighty-nine priests. Ezr 2:36-42. Under Ezra none came up till after a special call. Ezr 8:15. The services of the Nethinim were consequently of more importance, but in their case, also, the small number of those that joined indicates that many preferred remaining in the land of their exile to returning to their old service. Those that did come were consequently thought worthy of special mention. The names of their families were registered with as much care as those of the priests. Ezr 2:43-58. They were admitted, in strict conformity to the letter of the rule of Deu 29:11, to join in the great covenant with which the restored people inaugurated its new life. Neh 10:28. They, like the priests and Levites, were exempted from taxation by the Persian satraps. Ezr 7:24. They were also under the control of a chief of their own body. Ezr 2:43; Neh 7:46. They took an active part in the work of rebuilding the city, (Neh 3:26,) and the tower of Ophel was assigned to some of them as a residence, (Neh 11:21,) while others dwelt with the Levites in their cities. Ezr 2:70. They took their place in the chronicles of the time as next in order to the Levites.” SMITH’S Bib. Dict.
1Ch 9:2. The Nethinims Nethinim, from the word natan, to give, signifies persons given to the priests and Levites for performing the servile offices of the tabernacle or temple: accordingly, the LXX in this place render the word by , persons given. The Gibeonites, of whom we read, (Jos 9:21; Jos 9:27.) that Joshua itnem, “gave them for hewers of wood, and drawers of water for the congregation and altar of Jehovah,” were the first of this kind. We next read of the Nethinims, which David and the princes natan, gave for the service of the Levites, Ezr 8:20. It is likely that these were taken from some of the people conquered by David; and it is highly probable, that of the remaining Canaanites also conquered by Solomon, some were devoted to his service. Compare Ezr 2:58. 1Ki 9:20-21 and see Calmet.
This forms a very interesting account in the history of the church, if it be remembered that this takes up the relation in the captives of Israel being now returned from Babylon. They found their temple, the beautiful temple of Solomon, destroyed. The people, therefore, had only a moveable tabernacle to repair to. But yet the whole nation of the captives which returned set about the service of the sanctuary with earnestness; the Lord stirring up their minds to the employment; so that everyone in his separate office used diligence. Let the Reader remark, that among the first inhabitants the priests and Levites are taken notice of. Sweetly the prophet calls upon such to be foremost. Watchmen upon the walls of Zion are demanded never to hold their peace day nor night. Ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence; and give him no rest till he establish; and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth. Isa 62:6-7 .
1Ch 9:2 Now the first inhabitants that [dwelt] in their possessions in their cities [were], the Israelites, the priests, Levites, and the Nethinims.
Ver. 2. Now the first inhabitants, ] sc., After the return from captivity. Ezr 1:1-11 ; Ezr 2:1-60
That dwelt in their possessions.
And the Nethinims. a Lavat.
the first inhabitants: i.e. after the reoccupation on the return from Babylon, under Zerubbabe], Joshua, Nehemiah, and Ezra 454-400 B.C. See App-50.
the Israelites. Hebrew “Israel”: i.e. the “Israel of God”. Compare Neh 11:3. See note on “Israel” (Gen 32:28; Gen 43:6; Gen 45:26, Gen 45:28). Called “Israel”, although only the return of Judah and Benjamin. See note on 1Ki 12:17.
Levites = the Levites.
the Nethinims. Taken from the people in proportion of one in fifty to assist the Levites (Num 31:47. Ezr 8:20).
am 3468, bc 536
the first: Ezr 2:70, Neh 7:73, Neh 11:3
the Nethinims: Jos 9:21-27, Ezr 2:43, Ezr 2:58, Ezr 8:20, Neh 7:60, Neh 7:73, Neh 11:3, Neh 11:21
Reciprocal: Jos 9:27 – made them 1Ch 9:18 – Who hitherto waited Ezr 6:16 – the children Neh 3:26 – Nethinims Neh 7:46 – Nethinims
1Ch 9:2. The first After the return from Babylon. That dwelt in their possessions That took possession of their own lands and cities, which had been formerly allotted them, but of late years had been taken from them for their sins, and possessed by other people. Israelites The common people of Judah and Israel, called here by the general name of Israelites, which was given them before that unhappy division of the kingdoms; and now is restored to them, when the Israelites are united with the Jews in one and the same commonwealth, that so all the names and signs of their former division might be blotted out. And though the generality of the ten tribes were yet in captivity, yet divers of them, upon Cyruss general proclamation, associated themselves, and returned with those of Judah and Benjamin. Levites These took possession of the cities belonging to them, as they had need and opportunity. Nethinims A certain order of men, either Gibeonites, or others joined with them, who were , nethinim, given to the priests and Levites for performing the servile offices of the tabernacle or temple: accordingly the LXX. in this place render the word by , persons given. Thus Joshua gave the Gibeonites to be hewers of wood, &c., Jos 9:21; Jos 9:27. That they might attend upon their work without distraction, they had certain places and possessions given to them, which they are now said to repossess.
9:2 Now the first inhabitants that [dwelt] in their possessions in their cities [were], the Israelites, the priests, Levites, and the {b} Nethinims.
(b) Meaning, the Gibeonites, who served in the temple, read Jos 9:23.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes