Definition: All the Nethinims, and the children of SolomonâÂÂs servants, [were] three hundred ninety and two.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Ezra 2:58. Itâs a fascinating snapshot of a time in ancient Judah! Hereâs what it means, explained simply: The Basic Story: Ezra was rebuilding the Temple: In the 6th century BC, Judah was under a harsh and oppressive king named Jehoiakim. Ezra was tasked with restoring the Temple â the most sacred place where God lived and worked. This was a HUGE deal for the Jewish people. The Problem: During this time, there were people who were not following the laws of Moses (the original set of rules for the Israelites). They were called âNethinimsâ - meaning "without God." They were living in a way that didnât honor God and were causing problems. The Servants: There were also servants assigned to help Ezra with this rebuilding project. The Count: The verse says, "All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants, [were] three hundred ninety-two." This is a crucial detail. It means that there were exactly 392 people who werenât following God's laws. What it tells us about the time: A Significant Number: 392 is a large number! It shows that even with some people not following the rules, there was still a significant group of people who were actively rejecting Godâs guidance. It wasn't a huge problem initially: The verse doesnât say this was a massive crisis. It just indicates a relatively small amount of people who werenât living right. Important Note: This verse is a bit mysterious and has been interpreted in different ways over time. It suggests that there was a significant challenge to the Jewish community, but it didn't necessarily mean they were actively trying to harm or disrupt each other. In short, this verse tells us about a specific number of people who werenât following Godâs laws during a crucial period in Jewish history. --- Do you want me to: Explain another Bible verse? Discuss the historical context of this passage?