_A.M. 3559. B.C. 445._ The rulers and men drawn by lot dwell at Jerusalem, Nehemiah 11:1; Nehemiah 11:2. Their names, numbers, and families, Nehemiah 11:3. The cities and villages that were peopled by the rest, Nehemiah 11:20.... [ Continue Reading ]
_The rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem_ Where their very office, in some sort, obliged them to dwell; and where, it seems, Nehemiah had desired the principal men of the nation, by way of example, to fix their habitations. _The rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in... [ Continue Reading ]
_The people blessed all the men that willingly offered themselves _ Besides those who were chosen by lot, it seems there were some that voluntarily chose to go and live there, whom the people highly commended, beseeching God to bless and prosper them: for indeed they were worthy to be honoured, beca... [ Continue Reading ]
_These are the chief of the province_ Of Judea, which was now made a province. _Israel_ The generality of the people of Israel, whether of Judah, or Benjamin, or any other tribe. These he calls Israel, rather than Judah, because there were many of the other tribes now incorporated with them; and bec... [ Continue Reading ]
_Four hundred threescore and eight valiant men_ Such were most proper for this place and time, because of its many enemies round about.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Nine hundred twenty and eight_ So there were more of Benjamin than of Judah, because the city did chiefly, and most properly, belong to that tribe, as hath been observed before. _Joel was their overseer _ The captain of their thousand.... [ Continue Reading ]
_The ruler of the house of God_ One of the chief priests, who ruled with and under the high-priest.... [ Continue Reading ]
_The outward business of the house of God_ For those things belonging to the temple and its service, which were to be done without it, or abroad in the country, as the gathering in of the voluntary contributions, or other necessary provisions, out of the several parts of the land.... [ Continue Reading ]
_To begin the thanksgiving in prayer_ In the public and solemn prayers and praises, which were constantly joined with the morning and evening sacrifice, at which the singers were present, and praised God with a psalm or hymn, which this man began.... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Nethinims dwelt in Ophel_ Which was upon the wall of Jerusalem, because they were to do the servile work of the temple; therefore they were to be posted near it, that they might be ready to attend.... [ Continue Reading ]
_The sons of Asaph were over the business of the house of God _ Were to take care at Jerusalem for the supply of such things as were necessary for the temple and the service of God, from time to time, while others minded _the outward business, Nehemiah 11:16_. And this office was very proper for the... [ Continue Reading ]
_It was the king's commandment_, &c. That is, as it is generally thought, the commandment of the king of Persia, who, out of his great munificence, gave it for their better support, it being common in all countries to have a particular regard for those who sung hymns in praise of their gods. Houbiga... [ Continue Reading ]
_Pethahiah was at the king's hand_ Or _on the king's part_, to determine civil causes and controversies between man and man by the laws of that kingdom; between the king and people, as in matters of tribute or grievances.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Of the Levites were divisions_ Or, _for the Levites_ (those who were not settled in Jerusalem) there were _divisions;_ places appointed for them and distributed among them. Thus were they settled free and easy, though few and poor. And they might have been happy but for that general lukewarmness wi... [ Continue Reading ]