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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - Nehemiah 11:1 - 11:19
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List of the Leading Men
v. 1. And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem, the capital of the province. The rest of the people also cast lots to bring one of ten, of the ordinary people, to dwell in Jerusalem, the Holy City, and nine parts to dwell in other cities. Nehemiah's purpose was to increase the population of the city, for the in. habitants were too widely scattered inside the walls. Cf Neh_7:4.
v. 2. And the people blessed all the men that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem, namely, those, in addition to the tenth part chosen by lot, who willingly gave up their own homesteads in order to protect the chief city.
v. 3. Now, these are the chief of the province that dwelt in Jerusalem, the leading men of Judea, a very small part of the vast Persian Empire; but in the cities of Judah dwelt every one in his possession In their cities, to wit, Israel, the common people as contrasted with the members of the tribe of Levi, the priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinim, and the children of Solomon's servants, a class of people who ranked even below the Nethinim in the service of the Temple.
v. 4. And at Jerusalem dwelt certain of the children of Tudah and of the children of Benjamin. of the children of Judah, members of this tribe: Athaiah, the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatia]i, the son of Xahalaleel, of the children of Perez, Gen_38:29, only a few links in the genealogical chain being mentioned;
v. 5. and Maaseiah, the son of Baruch, the son of Col-hozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of Shiloni, a family title leading back to Shelah, the son of Judah, 1Ch_9:5.
v. 6. All the sons, that is, the descendants, of Perez that dwelt at Jerusalem were four hundred threescore and eight valiant men.
v. 7. And these are 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.
v. 8. And after him Gabbai, Sallai, other Benjamite chiefs, nine hundred twenty and eight.
v. 9. And Joel, the son of Zichri, was their overseer, a magistrate both over the descendants of Judah and of Benjamin; and Judah, the son of Seuuah, was second over the city, rather, was over the second city, the part of the city where Huldah, the prophetess, had formerly lived, 2Ki_22:14.
v. 10. of the priests: Jedaiah, the son of Joiarib, Jachin.
v. 11. Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, was the ruler of the house of God, an assistant of the high priest, with extensive privileges, Num_3:32; 1Ch_9:11; 2Ch_19:11; 2Ch_31:13.
v. 12. And their brethren that did the work of the house, the relatives of the chiefs of the priests, all engaged in the ministry of the Temple, were eight hundred twenty and two; and Adaiah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amsi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchiáh,
v. 13. and his brethren, chief of the fathers, this expression belonging to all the head men of the families mentioned in this list, two hundred forty and two; and Amashai, the son of Azareel, the son of Ahasai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer,
v. 14. and their brethren, mighty men of valor, that is, the relative, of Amasha'i, an hundred and twenty and eight; and their overseer, their chief or captain, was Zabdiel, the son of one of the great men, all his ancestors being remarkable for various reasons.
v. 15. Also of the Levites: Shemaiah, the son of Hashub, the son of Asrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni;
v. 16. and Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chief of the Levite. had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God, all the work which did not concern sacrifices and worship, especially the collecting of provisions and the paying of bills.
v. 17. And Mattaniah, the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, was the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer, the choirmaster of the Temple chorus in the liturgy of the Temple services; and Bakbukiah, the second among his brethren, and Abda, the son of Shammus, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun, member of an ancient musicians' family and therefore well able to lead in thanksgiving and prayer.
v. 18. All the Levites in the Holy City were two hundred fourscore and four.
v. 19. Moreover, the porters, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren that kept the gates, in charge of the various entrances to the Temple,were an hundred seventy and two. These were permanent residents of Jerusalem, because they were always on duty at the Temple. Like these people, all those engaged in the work of the Church should always be mindful of the great honor which I. theirs by virtue of their position.