The Enrolling Of The Sons Of Solomon's Servants (Nehemiah 7:57-60).
The fact that the total of these was combined with the total of the Nethinim (Nehemiah 7:60) suggests that they had similar duties. We have no specific knowledge of whether they had different duties, although two of the names (the scribes and the gazelle keepers) may suggest that these had a more practical function. The title ‘servants' is not necessarily derogatory. Those who were the highest in the land could be called ‘servants of the king'. They are not mentioned outside the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, nevertheless it cannot be doubted that they had been in existence in the pre-Exilic period. We have no mean of knowing how, or whether, their duties differed from those of the Nethinim. They are probably included in the exemption from taxes of Ezra 7:24, and may well, when on duty, have resided in Ophel like the Nethinim.
It is, however, clear that once the Temple was built on its comparatively huge scale (as compared with the Tabernacle), more ‘servants would be required, something which Solomon no doubt ensured either by the use of foreign captives, or by forcing the Canaanites into such service, having duly circumcised them. Gradually the positions, possibly invidious at first, would have come to be seen as honoured ones. Service in the Temple would have been seen as the highest form of service
‘The sons of Solomon's servants:'
The families of the sons of Solomon's servants are now listed (Ezra 2 differences shown in brackets).
‘The sons of Sotai, the sons of Sophereth (Hassophereth), the sons of Perida (Peruda),' Nehemiah 7:58 ‘The sons of Jaala (Jaalah), the sons of Darkon, the sons of Giddel,' Nehemiah 7:59 ‘The sons of Shephatiah, the sons of Hattil, the sons of Pochereth-hazzebaim, the sons of Amon (Ami).'
As shown there are slight, but immaterial, differences in form between these names and those in Ezra 2. Sophereth (scribes) was previously Hassophereth (‘the scribes', adding the article). Peruda becomes Perida, Jaalah becomes Jaala, Ami becomes Amon. They are probably simply due to variant spellings. The names Sophereth (Hassophereth) meaning ‘the scribes' and Pochereth-hazzebaim meaning ‘the gazelle-keepers' may indicate something of their special duties.
‘All the Nethinim, and the sons of Solomon's servants, were three hundred and ninety two.'
A combined total is now given of the Nethinim and the sons of Solomon's servants. Their ‘families/clans' were clearly limited in size.