Nehemiah 12:47

in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah The mention of Nehemiah in the 3rd person along with Zerubbabel is an almost convincing proof that the sentence was not from the hand of Nehemiah; but that it was written (probably by the Chronicler) at a considerable interval of time since Nehemiah's death. The two men are here mentioned as the two heroes of their generation, under whom Israel was loyal to their Temple.

gave … sanctified The participles in the Heb. show the continuous habit.

every day his portion R.V. as every day required. In Nehemiah 11:23, we are told a daily provision for the singers was one of the commands of the Persian king: but there was also doubtless a regular daily payment on their behalf made by the people.

sanctifiedholy things unto the Levites R.V. sanctified for the Levites. -They sanctified," i.e. all Israel (not -the singers and the porters") set apart for the use of those who served God. The word -sanctify" is therefore equivalent to -devote" or dedicate in this connexion: cf. Leviticus 27:14; Leviticus 27:16 sqq. -sanctify a house … a field;" 1 Chronicles 26:27 -Out of the spoil won in battles did they dedicate to repair the house of the Lord." There is no idea of a succession of ritual acts of consecration.

the children of Aaron This expression only occurs in our books here and Nehemiah 10:38. In neither passage have we the words of Nehemiah himself but of the Compiler, who was probably also the Chronicler, with whom the term is a favourite one for -the priesthood," e.g. 2Ch 13:9-10; 2 Chronicles 31:19; 2 Chronicles 35:14.

The sanctifying of Israel for the Levites consisted in the payment of the tithes to the house of Levi; the sanctifying on the part of the Levites for the priests, in the payment of -the tithe of the tithes" (see Nehemiah 10:38) in accordance with Numbers 18:26.