Numbers 3:9

wholly given unto him i.e. to Aaron. In Numbers 8:16-19, it is explained that they are first given to Jehovah, and by Him given to the priests; cf. Numbers 18:6. In the present passage LXX. and Sam. read unto me, which is possibly correct. The Heb. rendered -wholly given" is nethûnîm nethûnîm. i.e. -given, given." In the time of Ezra there was a class of temple slaves inferior to the Levites, and mostly foreigners, who were known as the Nethînîm, meaning -the given." It seems probable that at a later time these slaves rose in status and importance, and became identified with the Levites. And the passages which speak of the Levites as -given" are an attempt to supply an origin for the name. See art. -Nethinim" in Hastings" DB.iii. 519. Ryle, Common Ezra and Neh., p. 28.

on the behalf of Lit. as marg. -from." The Israelites handed over to the priests a whole tribe from among their number.