"[5] The noun form occurs 18 times in the Masoretic Text of the Hebrew Bible, always in the plural (1 Chr.
[10] In the Book of Joshua, the Nethinim are mentioned in a passage concerning the "leaders (nesi'im)[11] of the congregation", a term also utilized in the ruling assembling of post-exilic Yehud Medinata.
In the latter regard, it is contended that the author of Joshua blames these leaders, independently of the priesthood, for inducting the Gibeonites into cultic service in Jerusalem.
The men of Gibeon, with Melatiah the Gibeonite at their head, repaired a piece of the wall of Jerusalem near the old gate on the west side of the city (Neh.
Many of the names enumerated in Ezra 2 for the Nethinim appear to indicate a foreign provenance, including people of Arab, Ishmaelite, Egyptian, Edomite and Aramaic ethnicities, with nicknames appropriate to slaves.
[14][c] Most of the names of the parents mentioned seem to be feminine in form or meaning, and suggest that the Nethinim could not trace back to any definite paternity; and this is supported by the enumeration of those who could not "show their father's house" (Ezra 2:60; Neh 7:62).
[15] In the 10 genealogical classes (yuhasin) set forth in the Mishnah, they are ranked above shetukim (people of whose paternity is unknown) and assufim (foundlings)[16] but beneath mamzerim, the offspring of illicit unions, and were prohibited from marrying Israellites of good standing,[15] though intermarriage between the last four classes, which included freed slaves,[17] was permitted.
[20] Jehovah's Witnesses use the term Nethinim to refer to members not claiming to be "anointed" who are selected to assist the Governing Body.