Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 7:57
The children of Solomon’s servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Perida,
[See comments on Ne 7:6].
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The Enrolling Of The Sons Of Solomon’s Servants ( Neh 7:57-60 ).
The fact that the total of these was combined with the total of the Nethinim (Neh 7:60) suggests that they had similar duties. We have no specific knowledge of whether they had different duties, although two of the names (the scribes and the gazelle keepers) may suggest that these had a more practical function. The title ‘servants’ is not necessarily derogatory. Those who were the highest in the land could be called ‘servants of the king’. They are not mentioned outside the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, nevertheless it cannot be doubted that they had been in existence in the pre-Exilic period. We have no mean of knowing how, or whether, their duties differed from those of the Nethinim. They are probably included in the exemption from taxes of Ezr 7:24, and may well, when on duty, have resided in Ophel like the Nethinim.
It is, however, clear that once the Temple was built on its comparatively huge scale (as compared with the Tabernacle), more ‘servants would be required, something which Solomon no doubt ensured either by the use of foreign captives, or by forcing the Canaanites into such service, having duly circumcised them. Gradually the positions, possibly invidious at first, would have come to be seen as honoured ones. Service in the Temple would have been seen as the highest form of service
Neh 7:57
‘The sons of Solomon’s servants:’
The families of the sons of Solomon’s servants are now listed (Ezra 2 differences shown in brackets).
Neh 7:57
‘The sons of Sotai, the sons of Sophereth (Hassophereth), the sons of Perida (Peruda),’ Neh 7:58 ‘The sons of Jaala (Jaalah), the sons of Darkon, the sons of Giddel,’ Neh 7:59 ‘The sons of Shephatiah, the sons of Hattil, the sons of Pochereth-hazzebaim, the sons of Amon (Ami).’
As shown there are slight, but immaterial, differences in form between these names and those in Ezra 2. Sophereth (scribes) was previously Hassophereth (‘the scribes’, adding the article). Peruda becomes Perida, Jaalah becomes Jaala, Ami becomes Amon. They are probably simply due to variant spellings. The names Sophereth (Hassophereth) meaning ‘the scribes’ and Pochereth-hazzebaim meaning ‘the gazelle-keepers’ may indicate something of their special duties.
Neh 7:60
‘All the Nethinim, and the sons of Solomon’s servants, were three hundred and ninety two.’
A combined total is now given of the Nethinim and the sons of Solomon’s servants. Their ‘families/clans’ were clearly limited in size.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Neh 7:57-60
57The sons of Solomon’s servants: the sons of Sotai, the sons of Sophereth, the sons of Perida,
58the sons of Jaala, the sons of Darkon, the sons of Giddel,
59the sons of Shephatiah, the sons of Hattil, the sons of Pochereth-hazzebaim, the sons of Amon.
60All the temple servants and the sons of Solomon’s servants were 392.
Neh 7:57 Sophereth In Ezr 2:55 it is spelled Hassophereth; 1Es 5:33 has Assaphioth. This word (BDB 709) may be related to the root to write (BDB 706), which would mean it refers to a family of scribes as in 1Ch 2:54.
Perida In Ezr 2:55 this is spelled Peruda; in 1Es 5:33 it is Pharida.
Neh 7:59 Amon In Ezr 2:57 this is replaced by Ami; 1Es 5:34 has several short names beginning with aAgia, Addui, Allon.
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
Solomon’s: Neh 11:3
Perida: Three manuscripts have Peruda, instead of Perida, as in Ezra. Ezr 2:55, Peruda
Reciprocal: 1Ki 5:15 – threescore 1Ki 9:21 – bondservice Ecc 2:7 – servants