Bible Strands
Nehemiah 7:46
The temple servants: the descendants of Ziha, the descendants of Hasupha, the descendants of Tabbaoth,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Nehemiah records a census of the returned exiles, listing their assigned roles and family lines. This verse specifically enumerates three families designated as temple servants within that broader register.
The words — The text uses הַנְּתִינִים (ha.ne.ti.Nim) for "the temple servants" and repeats בְּנֵי (be.nei) meaning "descendants of" to introduce Ziha, Hasupha, and Tabbaoth.
The thread — These servants reappear in 1 Chronicles 9:2 as part of the first group resettling Jerusalem, and their mandated duties as woodcutters and water carriers are established in Joshua 9:23.
Why it lands — The passage documents the hereditary, support roles required to maintain temple operations after the exile. It requires the reader to acknowledge that religious restoration depended on specific, assigned labor rather than voluntary service.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Hashupha, the children of Tabbaoth,
Cross-references
- Leviticus 27:2 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them, ‘When someone makes a special vow to the LORD involving the value of persons,
- Joshua 9:23 Now therefore you are under a curse and will perpetually serve as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.”
- 1 Chronicles 9:2 Now the first to resettle their own property in their cities were Israelites, priests, Levites, and temple servants.
- Ezra 2:43 The temple servants: the descendants of Ziha, the descendants of Hasupha, the descendants of Tabbaoth,