Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 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.
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 Ezr 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. Exo 30:16: frequent in Chron. in the phrase “the service of the house of God”. Sometimes = “service rendered by”, e.g. Exo 38:21. For its primary meaning cf. Neh 5:18 (bondage).
all expressed by name ] cf. the same phrase 1Ch 12:31; 1Ch 16:41 ; 2Ch 28:15; 2Ch 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.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The Gibeonites, who were devoted to this service by Joshua and the princes of his time, Jos 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 1Ch 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.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
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.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(20) The NethinimsIt 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.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Ezr 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.
Ver. 20. Whom David and the princes had appointed ] i.e. Continued, confirmed, and ordered them; for they were first appointed and designed to that service by Joshua; and thence called Nethinims.
All of them were expressed by name
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Nethinims: Ezr 8:17, Ezr 2:43, Ezr 7:7, 1Ch 9:2
all of them: Phi 4:3
Reciprocal: Jos 9:27 – made them 1Ch 16:41 – expressed
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Ezr 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, (Jos 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 Ezras 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.