Nehemiah 7:1-4

Nehemiah's Precautions for Guarding the City from Sudden Attack. The internal intrigues just referred to (Nehemiah 6:17) necessitated constant vigilance on the part of Nehemiah; his measures are described in this section.

Nehemiah 7:1. porters: better gatekeepers. the singers and the Levites: a mistaken addition by the Chronicler; their duties were concerned with the Temple and its services, not with the city gates.

Nehemiah 7:2. the castle: see note on Nehemiah 2:8.

Nehemiah 7:8. and. let them: the text gives no sense; read, with a slight emendation, and while it (i.e. the sun) is still standing let them; the meaning being that the gates were to be closed while it is yet light. The caution was needed in view of the enemies both without and within the walls.