What is "nethinim"

Nethinim \Neth"i*nim\, n. pl. [Heb., pl. of n[=a]th[=i]n given, granted, a slave of the temple, fr. n[=a]than to give.] (jewish Antiq.) Servants of the priests and Levites in the menial services about the tabernacle and temple.

Nethinim (or Netinim, or Nathinites or Nathineans) (, "the given ones") was the name given to the Temple assistants in ancient Jerusalem. The term was applied originally in the Book of Joshua (where it is found in its verbal form) to the Gibeonites who converted during the time of Joshua, later in the Book of Ezra they include the Avdei Shlomo ("Servants of Solomon") the descendants of the remnant of the Canaanite people in the land.