Meunim מְעוּנִים
A group of temple servants who returned from exile.
Who is Meunim in the Bible?
The Meunim were a group of temple servants who returned to Jerusalem from the Babylonian exile, as recorded in Ezra 2:50 and Nehemiah 7:52. They belonged to the Nethinim, a class of workers dedicated to assisting the Levites in maintaining and serving the temple. While their specific duties are not detailed in scripture, their presence among the returning exiles demonstrates their importance in restoring temple worship after the exile ended. The Meunim's significance lies in their contribution to the rebuilding of Jerusalem's religious life and the reestablishment of proper temple service in the post-exilic community.
Biography
The Meunim are mentioned in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah as one of the groups of temple servants who returned to Jerusalem from the Babylonian exile (Ezr.2.50; Neh.7.52). They are listed among the Nethinim, which were a class of people dedicated to assisting the Levites in the service of the temple. The Meunim's specific duties within the temple are not described in the biblical text. Their inclusion in the lists of returning exiles suggests that they played a role in the restoration of temple worship after the exile. The origin and earlier history of the Meunim are not provided in the Bible.
In Scripture
2 biblical books ; 2 with study contentEzra 1 verse
- Ezra 2:50
"the descendants of Asnah, the descendants of Meunim, the descendants of Nephusim,"
Study Ezra →
Nehemiah 1 verse
- Nehemiah 7:52
"the descendants of Besai, the descendants of Meunim, the descendants of Nephushesim,"
Study Nehemiah →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Hebrew | מְעוּנִים |