People whose name means 'those who are given' or 'dedicated ones.' They were people who, despite not being Israelites, were dedicated to the temple to perform tasks such as cleaning, drawing water, and cutting wood.
Their earliest origin is presumed to be the Gibeonites who, during Joshua's conquest, deceived the Israelites to avoid war and made a peace treaty with them.
Josh 9:3But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai,Josh 9:4they resorted to a ruse and went as envoys, taking worn-out sacks for their donkeys, and wineskins, worn-out and torn and mended,Josh 9:5with worn-out, patched sandals on their feet, and worn-out clothes. And all their provisions were dry and crumbly bread.Josh 9:6They went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and to the men of Israel, “We have come from a distant country; so now make a treaty with us.”
Josh 9:27But Joshua made them that day woodcutters and water carriers for the congregation and for the altar of the Lord, to this day, in the place that he should choose.
It appears that they were officially assigned duties of temple service during the time of King David.
Ezra 8:20Also some of the Nethinim, whom David and the officials had given for the service of the Levites, two hundred and twenty of the temple servants, all of whom were designated by name.
They were taken captive to Babylon along with the priests and Levites.
1 Chr 9:1So all Israel was recorded in genealogies, and these are written in the Book of the Kings of Israel. And Judah was carried away captive to Babylon for their unfaithfulness.1 Chr 9:2Now the first inhabitants to dwell in their possessions in the cities of Israel were the priests, the Levites, and the Nethinim.
They returned as a clan during the return from Babylonian captivity.
{{:Nethinim who returned during the return from Babylon}}
They continued to live among the Israelites and played a role as members of society.