The Book of Nehemiah
Nehemiah 11
Chapter XI · Vol. II, pp. 919–921
1 The rulers, voluntary men, and the tenth man chosen by lot, dwell at Jerusalem. 3 A catalogue of their names. 20 The residue dwell in other cities.
1 And the arulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also bcast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the choly city,1 and nine parts to dwell in other cities.
a ch.7.4,5. Ps.122.5.
b Pr.18.18. ch.10.34. Ju.20.9,10. 1 Ch.6.61; xxiv.-xxvi. Ac.1.24,25.
c ver.18. Is.48.2; 52.1. Mat.4.5; 27.53.
1 Called holy, not as possessing any infused holiness, which was impossible in wood and stone, and only possible with beings made after the image of the holy God; but holy in the sense of special separation and dedication to the service of God.—C.
2 And the people dblessed all the men that ewillingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem.2
d Commended, thanked, and prayed for them, De.24.13. 1 Ki.1.47. 1 Ch.16.43.
A.M. 3560. B.C. 444.
2 Because it was a service of great danger, yet of the greatest importance, Jerusalem being the chief seat of religion, government, commerce, retreat, and defence.—C.
3 Now these are the chief of the province that dwelt in Jerusalem: but in the cities of Judah dwelt every one in his possession in their cities, to wit, fIsrael, the priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants.3
f ch.7.60,73. Ezr.2.43,55,58,70. 1 Ch.9.2-19.
3 This verse is somewhat obscure. The meaning appears to be:—'These are the chief men of the province of Judea who volunteered to reside in Jerusalem. Their names are recorded below; but in the other cities of Judah and Benjamin the general body of the people took up their abode, namely, the Israelites, or those of the ten tribes who had returned from captivity; the priests, the Levites,' &c. The word Israel is used to show that a portion of the ten tribes had returned to their country.—P.
4 And at Jerusalem dwelt certain of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin. Of the children of Judah; Athaiah the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalaleel, of the children of gPerez;
g Pharez, Ge.38.29. 1 Ch.9.4. Ru.4.18. Nu.26.20,21.
5 And Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Col-hozeh, the son of Hasaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of hShiloni.
6 All the sons of Perez that dwelt at Jerusalem were ifour hundred threescore and eight valiant men.4
i 1 Ch.9.6.
4 Men of activity.
7 And these kare the sons of Benjamin; Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the son of Jesaiah.
k 1 Ch.9.7-9.
8 And after him Gabbai, Sallai, nine5 hundred twenty and eight.
5 There were almost as many more of Benjamin than of Judah (who were but four hundred and sixty-eight), for though Mount Zion was in the tribe of Judah, yet the city of Jerusalem was in the tribe of Benjamin; which made them have a great desire to see it inhabited, and inflamed the minds of the most valiant, who were best able to defend it, to come and live there.—Patrick.
9 And Joel the son of Zichri was their loverseer; and Judah the son of Senuah was second over the city.
10 Ofm the priests:6 Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin.
m 1 Ch.9.10-13.
6 The order of David (1 Ch. xxiv.) required the regular attendance of the priests in courses; but each course was accustomed to retire to their respective cities, when their time of service was expired: these had relinquished their homes to partake with their brethren in all their toils and dangers, and to encourage them by their example of devotedness to their country, and piety to God.—C.
11 Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, was the nruler of the house of God.7
n Or, duke, 1 Ch.9.11. 2 Ch.19.11; 31.13. Nu.3.32.
7 Most probably the same called 'captain of the temple,' Ac. 8. 24. An officer whose duty was to preserve order, suppress disturbances, and protect the worshippers. C.——He had the supreme command in all the secular affairs of the temple, as the high-priest had in all the spiritual affairs.—P.
12 And their brethren that did the work of the house were eight hundred twenty and two: and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchiah,
13 And his brethren, chief of the fathers, two hundred forty and two: and Amashai the son of Azareel, the son of Ahasai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer,
14 And their brethren, mighty men of valour, oan hundred twenty and eight: and their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of8 one of the great men.9
o In all 1192, 1 Ch.9.13.
8 Or, the son of Haggedolim.
9 The margin renders it as a proper name, which appears preferable to that in the text.—C.
15 Also pof the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hashub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni;
p 1 Ch.9.14-19.
16 And Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chief of the Levites, had the oversight9 of the qoutward business1 of the house of God.
A.M. 3560. B.C. 444.
9 Heb. were over.
q 1 Ch.26.29. ch.10.39.
1 Providing all that it was necessary to purchase from merchants or husbandmen for the service of the temple; and, probably, for keeping the exterior of the walls, roof, and approaches in order.—C.
17 And Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of rZabdi, the son of Asaph, was the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer;2 and Bakbukiah the second among his brethren, and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.
r Zichri, 1 Ch.9.15. ch.7.44.
2 Precentor, to give the key-note and air in singing the praises of God.—C.
19 Moreover, the porters, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren that kept the gates,3 were an hundred seventy and two.
3 Heb. at the gates.
20 Andt the residue of Israel, of the priests and the Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, every one in his inheritance.
t 1 Ch.9.17,18.
22 The overseer also of the Levites at Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micha: of the sons of Asaph, the singers were over xthe business of the house of God.6
x ch.12.8,9.
6 It is a curious fact, that skilful musicians were the persons selected, in the days of Josiah, to oversee the carpenters and masons in the repairs of the temple. See note on 2 Ch. 34. 12. Some similar appointment they seem to have had in the days of Nehemiah also.—C.
23 For it was ythe king's commandment concerning them, that a certain portion7 should be for the singers, due for every day.8
7 Or, a sure ordinance.
8 The king of Persia knowing, most probably from the habits of the Jews (Ps. 137. 1-3), that singing constituted an essential portion of the temple-service, had assigned a fixed salary to the choir. C.——The king here referred to can only be Ahasuerus, the Persian monarch. It is worthy of special note that he paid a fixed salary to the members of the choir who conducted the musical part of the temple worship. Darius had done so for the priests; his object, as stated by Ezra, having been, 'that they might offer sacrifices of sweet savour unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king and his sons,' Ezr.6.10.—P.
24 And Pethahiah the son of Meshezabeel, of the children of zZerah the son of Judah, was ata the king's hand9 in all matters concerning the people.1
a 1 Ch.18.17; 23.28. A deputy in civil causes, or assistant to the governor.
9 Rather 'by the king's authority,' that is, not by appointment of Nehemiah, but by direct commission from the king.—C.
1 He was the royal commissioner, the agent to represent the king in the assemblies of the people, and to represent the people before the king.—P.
25 And for the villages, with their fields, some of the children of Judah dwelt at bKirjath-arba, and in the villages thereof, and at Dibon,c and in the villages thereof, and at Jekabzeel,d and in the villages thereof,
30 Zanoah,n Adullam, and in their villages, at oLachish, and the fields thereof, at pAzekah, and in the villages thereof. And they dwelt from qBeer-sheba unto the valley of Hinnom.
31 The children also of Benjamin rfrom 2Geba3 dwelt at4 Michmash,5 and Aija, and Beth-el, and in their villages,
r Jos.18.24.
A.M. 3560. B.C. 444.
2 Or, of Geba.
3 Geba, a Levitical city, about 6 miles north of Jerusalem. Michmash was situated 7 miles north of Jerusalem. It was famous as the scene of the rout of the Philistines by Jonathan, 1 Sa. 13. 5; and the encampment of Sennacherib, Is. 10. 28.—C.
4 Or, to Michmash.
5 Michmash is still a small village, bearing its old name in the Arabic form Mukhmas, and situated on the northern brow of a deep ravine which separates it from Geba. Geba must not be confounded with Gibeah of Saul, which lay to the south-west, nearer Jerusalem.—P.
u 1 Sa.13.18.
36 Andz of the Levites were divisions in Judah, and in Benjamin.6
6 As it had been originally so it was now, the Levites had towns and villages assigned to them in various parts of the country. The arrangement was a wise one. The Levites were the public teachers of the law, and of the various details of the Mosaic ritual. It was important, therefore, that they should be disseminated among the people.—P.
Notes
Reflections.—The church of God, even on earth, ought to be a holy city. And since Jesus her great ruler and his apostles and prophets dwell in her, men ought cheerfully to fix their residence there. But, alas! regard to carnal advantages or sinful liberties, or fear of persecution or expense, often keep many from the church or cause of God! It reflects great honour on magistrates and ministers when they take special care of the chief stations in nations and churches, and readily show themselves patterns of self-denial and holy resolution. If God distinguish them with honour, they should distinguish themselves by zeal for his cause. And they who for God's glory forego their own advantage shall never lose their reward; while those who only commend duty but do not practise it shall be ashamed. How commodiously God disposes of men into their various habitations! In all situations, therefore, they ought to accommodate their circumstances to his honour; and always live as strangers and pilgrims on this earth, who have here no continuing city, but look for one to come, the builder and maker of which is God.