Ezra 2:58

All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomons seruants, were three hundred ninetie and two. Ezra 2:58 (KJV)

were

three hundred ninety and 2. Ezra 2:58 (KJV)

The book of Ezra records the return of the Israelites from Babylonian exile and the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. Chapter 2 lists the families and groups who came back with Zerubbabel, the governor appointed by King Cyrus of Persia. Among those listed are the Nethinims and the children of Solomon’s servants, whose combined number is given as three hundred ninety‑two.

The term “Nethinims” designates a class of temple servants or assistants. Although they were not Israelites by birth, they were appointed to perform various duties within the sanctuary, chiefly assisting the Levites in the maintenance and service of the temple. Their appointment is traced back to King David and was later confirmed by King Solomon (see 1 Chronicles 9:2; Ezra 8:20).

The phrase “children of Solomon’s servants” refers to the descendants of the servants or slaves who served in King Solomon’s administration. These individuals were not necessarily slaves themselves; rather, they were the offspring of those who had served during Solomon’s reign.

The count of three hundred ninety‑two indicates how many members of these two groups returned from Babylon to Jerusalem. Their presence among the returnees demonstrates a commitment to worship and to the restoration of the temple. Their willingness to leave the relative safety of Babylon and to re‑establish their lives in the ancestral land reflects a dedication to God’s covenant and to the communal task of rebuilding worship.

The inclusion of the Nethinims and the children of Solomon’s servants underscores the inclusive nature of God’s redemptive plan. It shows that the restoration of Israel involved a diverse body of people, each contributing according to the service for which they were appointed. This diversity highlights the broader biblical principle that service in the Kingdom of God is open to all who are called, regardless of ethnic or social background.

It is worth noting that while Ezra records the number as three hundred ninety‑two, the book of Nehemiah records a smaller figure for the same groups, indicating a slight textual variation between the two accounts.

Overall, Ezra 2:58 offers a glimpse into the varied composition of those who returned from exile and participated in the temple’s restoration, reminding readers of the value of every servant in God’s plan for worship and community.