The Pulpit Commentary on Ezra 2:55

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Solomon's servants. Solomon formed the remnant of the Canaanitish population which survived at his day into a separate servile class, which he employed in forced labours (1 Kings 9:20, 1 Kings 9:21).

It would seem that the descendants of these persons, having been carried into captivity by the Chaldaeans, continued to form a distinct class, and had become attached to the sacerdotal order, as a body of hieroduli inferior even to the Nethinims.

We may account for their special mention at this time by the importance of their services, when such a work as that of rebuilding the temple was about to be taken in hand.

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