But the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel: and Ziha and Gispa were over the Nethinims.
Parallel translations
- WEB But the temple servants lived in Ophel: and Ziha and Gishpa were over the temple servants.
- BSB The temple servants lived on the hill of Ophel, with Ziha and Gishpa over them.
- NKJV But the Nethinim dwelt in Ophel. And Ziha and Gishpa were over the Nethinim.
- NASB But the temple servants were living in Ophel, and Ziha and Gishpa were in charge of the temple servants.
- NLT The Temple servants, however, whose leaders were Ziha and Gishpa, all lived on the hill of Ophel.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The temple servants lived in Ophel, overseen by Ziha and Gishpa. Even the lowest temple workers had a settled place and ordered leadership.
Overview
The Nethinim, or temple servants, performed the menial labor supporting worship and lived in Ophel near the temple. Their distinct mention, with named overseers, shows that every level of service had its honored place in God's house. No task done for God is too lowly to be recorded, for he values all who serve him faithfully.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 3
- Neh 3:26Moreover the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel, unto the place over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that lieth out.
- 2 Chr 27:3He built the high gate of the house of the LORD, and on the wall of Ophel he built much.
- Neh 3:31After him repaired Malchiah the goldsmith’s son unto the place of the Nethinims, and of the merchants, over against the gate Miphkad, and to the going up of the corner.
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Christ at the center
The rebuilt walls and renewed covenant community foreshadow the greater builder who gathers and secures a people for God, the one who declares 'I will build my church.'
How Nehemiah 11:21 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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