The term "Nephusim" appears in the genealogical records of the post-exilic community of Israel, specifically in the context of the return from the Babylonian exile. The name is found in the book of Ezra and Nehemiah, which detail the efforts to rebuild the Temple and reestablish the community in Jerusalem.

Biblical References:

1. Ezra 2:50 : "the descendants of Asnah, the descendants of Meunim, the descendants of Nephusim,"

2. Nehemiah 7:52 : "the descendants of Besai, the descendants of Meunim, the descendants of Nephushesim,"

In these passages, Nephusim is listed among the groups of people who returned to Jerusalem and Judah from the Babylonian captivity. The slight variation in spelling between "Nephusim" in Ezra and "Nephushesim" in Nehemiah is noted, but both refer to the same group. This discrepancy is not uncommon in ancient texts and may be attributed to transliteration differences or scribal variations.

Historical and Cultural Context:

The return from exile was a significant event in Jewish history, marking the fulfillment of God's promise to restore His people to their land. The lists of returnees, including the Nephusim, underscore the continuity of the Israelite community and their commitment to reestablishing their identity and religious practices centered around the Temple in Jerusalem.

The Nephusim, like other groups mentioned in these genealogies, were likely part of the broader community of Nethinim, a group of Temple servants. The Nethinim were assigned to assist the Levites in the service of the Temple, performing various duties necessary for the maintenance of worship and the sacrificial system. Their inclusion in the genealogical records highlights their importance in the religious life of post-exilic Israel.

Theological Significance:

The mention of Nephusim in the biblical text serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness in preserving His people through exile and bringing them back to their homeland. It also reflects the inclusive nature of the post-exilic community, where various groups and families, regardless of their specific roles, were integral to the restoration of Israel's religious and cultural identity.

The genealogies in Ezra and Nehemiah, including the listing of the Nephusim, emphasize the importance of heritage and continuity in the biblical narrative. They illustrate the fulfillment of God's covenant promises and the reestablishment of the community's commitment to the Law and worship of Yahweh.

Conclusion:

While the Nephusim are not extensively detailed in the biblical text, their inclusion in the genealogical records of Ezra and Nehemiah underscores their role in the restoration of the Jewish community after the Babylonian exile. Their presence in these lists serves as a testament to the broader narrative of redemption and restoration that characterizes the post-exilic period in Israel's history.Nephusim

same as Nephishesim

Nephusim

(expansions), the same as Nephishesim, of which name according to Gesenius it is the proper form. (Ezra 2:50)

NEPHISH; NEPHISIM; NEPHISHESIM; NEPHUSIM

ne'-fish, ne-fi'-sim, ne-fish'-e-sim, ne-fusim (nephicim, nephucim): The former is the Kethibh (Hebrew: "written") form of the name adopted in the Revised Version (British and American); the latter the Qere (Hebrew "read") form, adopted in the King James Version and the Revised Version margin (Ezra 2:50).

See NAPHISH; NEPHUSHESIM.

5304. Nephisim -- a family of returned exiles
... Nephusim. Plural from an unused root meaning to scatter; expansions; Nephisim, a
Temple-servant -- Nephusim (from the margin). 5303, 5304. Nephisim. 5305 . ...
/hebrew/5304.htm - 6kNephusim (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia NEPHISH; NEPHISIM; NEPHISHESIM; NEPHUSIM. ... See NAPHISH;
NEPHUSHESIM. Multi-Version Concordance Nephusim (1 Occurrence). ...
/n/nephusim.htm - 7k

Nephussim (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Nephussim (2 Occurrences). Ezra 2:50 the children of Asnah,
the children of Meunim, the children of Nephusim; (See NIV). ...
/n/nephussim.htm - 6k

Nephi'sim (1 Occurrence)
... Nephi'sim (1 Occurrence). Ezra 2:50 the children of Asnah, the children of Meunim,
the children of Nephusim; (See RSV). Nephisim, Nephi'sim. Nephtali . ...
/n/nephi'sim.htm - 6k

Nephishesim (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia NEPHISH; NEPHISIM; NEPHISHESIM; NEPHUSIM.
ne'-fish, ne-fi'-sim, ne-fish'-e-sim, ne-fusim (nephicim ...
/n/nephishesim.htm - 7k

Naphish (3 Occurrences)
... Their descendants are mentioned among the Nethinim by the name "Nephisim," the King
James Version and the Revised Version margin "Nephusim" (Ezra 2:50 ...
/n/naphish.htm - 8k

Nephush'esim (1 Occurrence)
Nephush'esim. Nephushesim, Nephush'esim. Nephusim . Multi-Version Concordance ...
Nephushesim, Nephush'esim. Nephusim . Reference Bible.
/n/nephush'esim.htm - 6k

Nephisim (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia NEPHISH; NEPHISIM; NEPHISHESIM; NEPHUSIM.
ne'-fish, ne-fi'-sim, ne-fish'-e-sim, ne-fusim (nephicim ...
/n/nephisim.htm - 7k

Nephish (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia NEPHISH; NEPHISIM; NEPHISHESIM; NEPHUSIM.
ne'-fish, ne-fi'-sim, ne-fish'-e-sim, ne-fusim (nephicim ...
/n/nephish.htm - 7k

Mehunim (2 Occurrences)
... Mehunims. (Root in KJV WBS YLT). Ezra 2:50 The children of Asnah, the children
of Mehunim, the children of Nephusim, (KJV WBS YLT). ...
/m/mehunim.htm - 7k

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