Chapter Twelve PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS 1. Are all these lists of names from the same time? 2. Why do you suppose the dedication service did not follow the completion of the walls, in Nehemiah 6:15? 3. Do you see any reason for the choral procession around the entire length of the walls? 4. Wha... [ Continue Reading ]
TEXT AND VERSE-BY-VERSE COMMENT Having given an honor roll of those who accepted the discomforts of living in Jerusalem in order to assure a strong and healthy state, the book next gives an honor roll of the religious leaders who contributed equally to the survival and well-being of the state. The... [ Continue Reading ]
2. The high priests descended from Jeshua are traced, possibly to the end of Nehemiah's life. TEXT, NEHEMIAH 12:10-11 10 And Jeshua became the father of Joiakim, and Joiakim became the father of Eliashib, and Eliashib became the father of Joiada, 11 and Joiada became the father of Jonathan, and... [ Continue Reading ]
3. The priests-' families are listed at the time of Joiakim. TEXT, NEHEMIAH 12:12-21 12 Now in the days of Joiakim the priests, the heads of fathers-' households were: of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah; 13 of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohahan; 14 of Malluchi, Jonathan; of Sheban... [ Continue Reading ]
4. Levites are listed from the time of Joiakim. TEXT, NEHEMIAH 12:22-26 22 As for the Levites, the heads of fathers-' households were registered in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, and Johanan, and Jaddua; so were the priests in the reign of Darius the Persian. 23 The sons of Levi, the heads of fa... [ Continue Reading ]
5. The Levites were assembled for the dedication of the wall. TEXT, NEHEMIAH 12:27-30 27 Now at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought out the Levites from all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem so that they might celebrate the dedication with gladness, with hymns of thanksgivi... [ Continue Reading ]
6. The processional and dedication ceremonies are described. TEXT, NEHEMIAH 12:31-43 31 Then I had the leaders of Judah come up on top of the wall, and I appointed two great choirs, the first proceeding to the right on top of the wall toward the Refuse Gate. 32 Hoshaiah and half of the leaders... [ Continue Reading ]
7. Concern is expressed over the support of the Levites. TEXT, NEHEMIAH 12:44-47 44 On that day men were also appointed over the chambers for the stores, the contributions, the first fruits, and the tithes, to gather into them from the fields of the cities the portions required by the law for the... [ Continue Reading ]