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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - Nehemiah 11:20 - 11:36
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Distribution of Other Jews
v. 20. And the residue of Israel, of the priests, and the Levites were in all the cities of Judah, every one in his inheritance, on the land occupied by his ancestors before the exile or in the city where they had lived.
v. 21. But the Nethinim dwelt in Ophel, on the southern slope of the Temple mount; and Ziha and Gispa were over the Nethinim.
v. 22. The overseer also of the Levites at Jerusalem was Ussi, 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 the business of the house of God, that is, some of the eons of Asaph, the family of Temple slligers, were In charge of things which were needed for the interior of the Temple and its service. also the gifts for their maintenance.
v. 23. Nor it was the king's commandment concerning them that a certain portion should be for singers, due for every day. Since these men were on duty every day in the liturgical part of the Temple services, they had to be supported entirely by the gifts of the people, and therefore the Persian monarch had so ordered.
v. 24. And Pethahiah, the son of Meshezabeel, of the children of Zerah, the son of Judah, this family usually known as the Zarhites, was at the king's hand in all matters concerning the people, the Persian king's special agent, probably in adjusting civil cases or in regulating financial matters.
v. 25. And for the villages, with their fields, some of the children of Judah dwelt at Kirjath-arba and in the villages thereof, that is, In Hebron, some twenty miles southwest of Jerusalem, and at Dibon and in the villages thereof, not far from Hebron, and at Jekabzeel and in the villages thereof,
v. 26. and at Jeshua, and at Moladah, and at Beth-phelet,
v. 27. and at Hazar-shual, and at Beersheba, on the extreme southern boundary, and in the villages thereof,
v. 28. and at Ziklag, toward the west, and at Mekonah and in the villages thereof,
v. 29. and at En-rimmon, and at Zareah, and at barmuth,
v. 30. Zanoah, Adullam, and in their villages, on the Philistine frontier, at Lachish, formerly a Philistine city, and the fields thereof, at Asekah, and in the villages thereof. Many of these towns, which were rebuilt at this time, are mentioned in Joshua 15. And they dwelt from Beersheba, almost on the Egyptian frontier, unto the Valley of Hinnom, southwest of Jerusalem, the entire distance being about fifty miles.
v. 31. The children also of Benjamin from Geba dwelt at Michmash, rather, from Geba to Michmash, and Aija, and Bethel, and in their villages, these towns being located in the ancient territory of the tribe, north and northwest of Jerusalem,
v. 32. and at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah,
v. 33. Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim,
v. 34. Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat,
v. 35. Lod, and Ono, the Valley of Craftsmen, apparently in the vicinity of Lydda, on the edge of the Plain of Sharon.
v. 36. And of the Levites were divisions in Judah and in Benjamin, that is, those who were not residents of Jerusalem had definite cities assigned them in the territory of these former tribes, or some Levites were transferred from stations in Judah to cities of Benjamin. Thus the children of Israel, although under the jurisdiction of the Persian monarch, were able to serve their God according to the dictates of their own conscience. Religious liberty is a special blessing of God, and all Christians should appreciate it, enjoying it with hearts full of grateful praise and with willing hands. Note also that it was God's purpose to keep Israel in its isolated position until Messiah would come, for salvation was of the Jews.