Nehemiah 7
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Commentaries
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Nehemiah makes use of proper precautions in guarding the city gates, Neh 7:1-4. He proposes to reckon the people according to their genealogies; and finds a register of those who came out of Babylon, with Zerubbabel, Neh 7:5-7. A transcript of the register, vv. 8-60. Account of those who came from other provinces; and of priests who, because they could not show their register, were put away from the priesthood as polluted, Neh 7:61-65. The sum total of the congregation: of their men-servants and maid-servants; singing men and women; horses, mules, camels, and asses, Neh 7:66-69. The sums given by different persons for the work, Neh 7:70-72. All betake themselves to their several cities, Neh 7:73.
Open source ↗NEHEMIAH COMMITS THE CHARGE OF JERUSALEM TO HANANI AND HANANIAH. (Neh 7:1-4) I gave my brother Hanani . . . charge over Jerusalem--If, as is commonly supposed, Nehemiah was now contemplating a return to Shushan according to his promise, it was natural that he should wish to entrust the custody of Jerusalem and the management of its civic affairs to men on whose ability, experience, and fidelity, he could confide. Hanani, a near relative (Neh 1:2), was one, and with him was associated, as colleague, Hananiah, "the ruler of the palace"--that is, the marshal or chamberlain of the viceregal court, which Nehemiah had maintained in Jerusalem. The high religious principle, as well as the patriotic spirit of those two men, recommended them as pre-eminently qualified for being invested with an official trust of such peculiar importance. and feared God above many--The piety of Hananiah is especially mentioned as the ground of his eminent fidelity in the discharge of all his duties and, consequently, the reason of the confidence which Nehemiah reposed in him; for he was fully persuaded that Hananiah's fear of God would preserve him from those temptations to treachery and unfaithfulness which he was likely to encounter on the governor's departure from Jerusalem.
Open source ↗Now it came to pass, when the wall was built, and I had set up the doors,.... Which was not done when Sanballat sent his first letter, but now was, Neh 6:1, and the porters and the singers, and the Levites were appointed; not to attend the doors of the gates of the wall, but to return to their service in the temple, who had been employed in one thing or another, while the wall and gates were building and repairing; see Neh 3:17.
Open source ↗Neh 7:1-2 The watching of the city provided for. - Neh 7:1 When the wall was built, Nehemiah set up the doors in the gates, to complete the fortification of Jerusalem (comp. Neh 6:1). Then were the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites entrusted with the care (הפּקד, praefici; comp. Neh 12:14). The care of watching the walls and gates is meant in this connection. According to ancient appointment, it was the duty of the doorkeepers to keep watch over the house of God, and to open and close the gates of the temple courts; comp. Ch1 9:17-19; Ch1 26:12-19. The singers and the Levites appointed to assist the priests, on the contrary, had, in ordinary times, nothing to do with the service of watching. Under the present extraordinary circumstances, however, Nehemiah committed also to these two organized corporations the task of keeping watch over the walls and gates of the city, and placed them under the command of his brother Hanani, and of Hananiah the ruler of the citadel. This is expressed by the words, Neh 7:2 : I gave Hanani ... and Hananiah ... charge over Jerusalem. הבּירה is the fortress or citadel of the city lying to the north of the temple (see rem. on Neh 2:8), in which was probably located the royal garrison, the commander of which was in the service of the Persian king. The choice of this man for so important a charge is explained by the additional clause: "for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many." The כּ before אישׁ is the so-called Caph veritatis, which expresses a comparison with the idea of the matter: like a man whom one may truly call faithful. מרבּים is comparative: more God-fearing than many. Neh 7:3 The Chethiv ויאמר is both here and Neh 5:9 certainly a clerical error for the Keri ואמר, though in this place, at all events, we might read…
Open source ↗God saith concerning his church (Isa 62:6), I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem! This is Nehemiah's care here; for dead walls, without living watchmen, are but a poor defence to a city. I. He appointed the porters, singers, and Levites, in their places to their work. This is meant of their work in general, which was to attend the temple service; it had been neglected in some degree, but now was revived. God's worship is the defence of a place, and his ministers, when they mind their duty, are watchmen on the walls. Or, in particular, he ordered them to be ready against the wall was to be dedicated, that they might perform that service in an orderly and solemn manner; and the dedication of it was its strength. That is likely to be beneficial to us which is devoted to God. II. He appointed two governors or consuls, to whom he committed the care of the city, and gave them in charge to provide for the public peace and safety. Hanani, his brother, who came to him with the tidings of the desolations of Jerusalem, was one, a man of approved integrity and affection to his country; the other was Hananiah, who had been ruler of the palace: for he that has approved himself faithful in less shall be entrusted with more. Of this Hananiah it is said that he was a faithful man and one that feared God above many, Neh 7:2. Note, 1. Among those who fear God truly there are some who fear him greatly, and excel others in the expressions and instances of that fear; and they are worthy a double portion of that honour which is due to those that fear the Lord, Psa 15:4. There were many in Jerusalem that feared God, but this good man was more eminent for religion and serious godliness than any. 2. Those that fear God must evidence it by their being faithful to all men and universall…
Open source ↗7:1 the wall was finished: The actual dedication of the wall is reported in 12:27-34. • The Levites usually assisted with caring for the Temple area, including guarding its gates.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
חוֹמָה (chôwmâh, H2346) — a wall of protection בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) דֶּלֶת (deleth, H1817) — something swinging, i.e. the valve of adoor שׁוֹעֵר (shôwʻêr, H7778) — a janitor שִׁיר (shîyr, H7891) — to sing לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi פָּקַד (pâqad, H6485) — to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care…
Open source ↗אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… חֲנָנִי (Chănânîy, H2607) — Chanani, the name of six Israelites חֲנַנְיָה (Chănanyâh, H2608) — Chananjah, the name of thirteen Israelites שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) בִּירָה (bîyrâh, H1002) — a castle or palace צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine אֶמֶת (ʼemeth, H571) — stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שַׁעַר (shaʻar, H8179) — an opening, i.e. door or gate יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine פָּתַח (pâthach, H6605) — to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve שֶׁמֶשׁ (shemesh, H8121) — the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched… חֹם (chôm, H2527) — heat עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) גּוּף (gûwph, H1479) — properly, to hollow or arch, i.e. (figuratively) close; to shut דֶּלֶת (deleth, H1817) — something swinging, i.e. the valve of adoor אָחַז (ʼâchaz, H270) — to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession) מִשְׁמֶרֶת (mishmereth, H4931) — watch, i.e. the act (custody), or (concretely) the sentry, the post; objectively… יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… מִשְׁמָר (mishmâr, H4929) — a guard (the man, the post or the prison); a deposit (figuratively); also (as observed) a…
Open source ↗עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… רָחָב (râchâb, H7342) — roomy, in any (or every) direction, literally or figuratively יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… מְעַט (mᵉʻaṭ, H4592) — a little or few (often adverbial or compar.) תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively)
Open source ↗אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… קָבַץ (qâbats, H6908) — to grasp, i.e. collect חֹר (chôr, H2715) — properly, white or pure (from the cleansing or shining power of fire; hence… סָגָן (çâgân, H5461) — a prefect of a province עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… יָחַשׂ (yâchas, H3187) — to enroll by pedigree מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… סֵפֶר (çêpher, H5612) — properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book יַחַשׂ (yachas, H3188) — a pedigree or family list (as growing spontaneously) עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… רִאשׁוֹן (riʼshôwn, H7223) — first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun) כָּתַב (kâthab, H3789) — to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… מְדִינָה (mᵉdîynâh, H4082) — properly, a judgeship, i.e. jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a… עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… שְׁבִי (shᵉbîy, H7628) — exiled; captured; as noun, exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively); by… גּוֹלָה (gôwlâh, H1473) — exile; concretely and collectively exiles נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּר (Nᵉbûwkadneʼtstsar, H5019) — Nebukadnetstsar (or -retstsar, or -retstsor), king of Babylon מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king בָּבֶל (Bâbel, H894) — Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire גָּלָה (gâlâh, H1540) — to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being… שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere…
Open source ↗בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) זְרֻבָּבֶל (Zᵉrubbâbel, H2216) — Zerubbabel, an Israelite יֵשׁוּעַ (Yêshûwaʻ, H3442) — Jeshua, the name of ten Israelites, also of a place in Palestine נְחֶמְיָה (Nᵉchemyâh, H5166) — Nechemjah, the name of three Israelites עֲזַרְיָה (ʻĂzaryâh, H5838) — Azarjah, the name of nineteen Israelites רַעַמְיָה (Raʻamyâh, H7485) — Raamjah, an Israelite נַחֲמָנִי (Nachămânîy, H5167) — Nachamani, an Israelite מׇרְדְּכַי (Mordᵉkay, H4782) — Mordecai, an Israelite בִּלְשָׁן (Bilshân, H1114) — Bilshan, an Israelite מִסְפֶּרֶת (Miçpereth, H4559) — Mispereth, an Israelite בִּגְוַי (Bigvay, H902) — Bigvai, an Israelite נְחוּם (Nᵉchûwm, H5149) — Nechum, an Israelite בַּעֲנָה (Baʻănâh, H1196) — Baanah, the name of four Israelites מִסְפָּר (miçpâr, H4557) — a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also…
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… פַּרְעֹשׁ (Parʻôsh, H6551) — Parosh, the name of our Israelite שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction שִׁבְעִים (shibʻîym, H7657) — seventy
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… שְׁפַטְיָה (Shᵉphaṭyâh, H8203) — Shephatjah, the name of ten Israelites שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction שִׁבְעִים (shibʻîym, H7657) — seventy שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אָרַח (ʼÂrach, H733) — Arach, the name of three Israelites שֵׁשׁ (shêsh, H8337) — six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. sixth מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction חֲמִשִּׁים (chămishshîym, H2572) — fifty שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… פַּחַת מוֹאָב (Pachath Môwʼâb, H6355) — Pachath-Moab, an Israelite יֵשׁוּעַ (Yêshûwaʻ, H3442) — Jeshua, the name of ten Israelites, also of a place in Palestine יוֹאָב (Yôwʼâb, H3097) — Joab, the name of three Israelites אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… שְׁמֹנֶה (shᵉmôneh, H8083) — a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal)… מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction עָשָׂר (ʻâsâr, H6240) — ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… עֵילָם (ʻÊylâm, H5867) — Elam, a son of Shem and his descendants, with their country; also of six Israelites אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction חֲמִשִּׁים (chămishshîym, H2572) — fifty אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… זַתּוּא (Zattûwʼ, H2240) — Zattu, an Israelite שְׁמֹנֶה (shᵉmôneh, H8083) — a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal)… מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction אַרְבָּעִים (ʼarbâʻîym, H705) — forty חָמֵשׁ (châmêsh, H2568) — five
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… זַכַּי (Zakkay, H2140) — Zakkai, an Israelite שֶׁבַע (shebaʻ, H7651) — seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week;… מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction שִׁשִּׁים (shishshîym, H8346) — sixty
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left—though to that time I had not yet installed the doors in the gates—
So the wall was completed in fifty-two days, on the twenty-fifth of Elul.
Hezekiah reestablished the divisions of the priests and Levites—each of them according to their duties as priests or Levites—for the burnt offerings and peace offerings, for ministry, for giving thanks, and for singing praises at the gates of the LORD’s dwelling.
These are the heads of the provinces who settled in Jerusalem. (In the villages of Judah, however, each lived on his own property in their towns—the Israelites, priests, Levites, temple servants, and descendants of Solomon’s servants—
The leaders of the Levites were Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua son of Kadmiel, along with their associates, who stood across from them to give praise and thanksgiving as one section alternated with the other, as prescribed by David the man of God.
In the second month of the second year after they had arrived at the house of God in Jerusalem, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Jeshua son of Jozadak, and the rest of their associates including the priests, the Levites, and all who had returned to Jerusalem from the captivity, began the work. They appointed Levites twenty years of age or older to supervise the construction of the house of the LORD.
For the Israelites and the Levites are to bring the contributions of grain, new wine, and oil to the storerooms where the articles of the sanctuary are kept and where the ministering priests, the gatekeepers, and the singers stay. Thus we will not neglect the house of our God.”