Ezra 8:20
What does Ezra 8:20 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 8:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 8:20 means
Ezra records two hundred and twenty Nethinim—temple servants given by David and the princes for Levite service—all named individually. Their inclusion shows that the work of the temple requires many hands beyond the Levites themselves. Citing David and the princes ties this practice to venerable precedent, rooting present arrangements in Israel’s history. The precise number and the note that each was named underscore order and dignity granted to these servants. They are not anonymous laborers but recognized contributors to the worship life of God’s house, essential for the proper functioning of the restored community.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and of the Nethinim, whom David and the princes had given for the service of the Levites, two hundred and twenty Nethinim: all of them were mentioned by name.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Also 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and of the Nethinim, whom David and the princes had given for the service of the Levites, two hundred and twenty Nethinim: all of them were mentioned by name.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And of the Nethinim, to whom David and the captains had given the work of helping the Levites, two hundred and twenty Nethinim, all of them specially named.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and from the Nethinim, whom David and the heads gave for the service of the Levites, two hundred and twenty Nethinim, all of them defined by name.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And of the Nathinites, whom David, and the princes gave for the service of the Levites, Nathinites two hundred and twenty: all these were called by their names.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and of the Nethinim, whom David and the princes had appointed for the service of the Levites, two hundred and twenty Nethinim: all of them were expressed by name.
Context
Verse 20 completes the recruitment narrative that began when Ezra found no Levites (verse 15) and sent leaders to Casiphia (verses 16–17). With Levites and a substantial body of Nethinim now secured (verses 18–20), the personnel for temple service is in place. The chapter turns next to a communal fast for divine protection on the road (verses 21–23), then to the assignment and weighing of large amounts of silver, gold, and vessels to trustworthy priests (verses 24–30), preparing the company for the journey that begins in verse 31.
v.19and Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, his brethren and their sons, twenty;
v.20This passage
v.21Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek of him a straight way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ezra 8:17
And I sent them forth unto Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia; and I told them what they should say unto Iddo, and his brethren the Nethinim, at the place Casiphia, that they should bring unto us ministers for the house of our God.
- Ezra 7:7
And there went up some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinim, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king.
- 1 Chronicles 9:2
Now the first inhabitants that dwelt in their possessions in their cities were Israel, the priests, the Levites, and the Nethinim.
- Philippians 4:3
Yea, I beseech thee also, true yokefellow, help these women, for they labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
- Ezra 2:43
The Nethinim: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth,