Bible Commentaries
Nehemiah 12

Verse 1

these. Nehemiah had given the heads of families (Nehemiah 7:6-73 ) and the numbers of the four classes of priests (Nehemiah 7:39-42 ). Compare Ezra 2:36-39 . Here he inserts twenty-two names, the heads of priests' classes, or courses formed out of these four, "in the days of Jeshua" (Nehemiah 12:7 ). See Ezra 6:18 .

Ezra. Not th e Ezra of the book of Ezra.

Verse 7

chief = heads.

Verse 8

the Levites. Compare Ezra 2:40 with Ezr 7:43 , above.

Verse 9

over against = corresponding to those in Nehemiah 12:8 .

in the watches: i.e. the courses, or waitings.

Verse 14

Shebamah. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Septuagint, and Syriac, read "Shechaniah".

Verse 15

Helkai. Some codices, with six early printed editions, read "Hilkai".

Verse 22

Darius = Darius Hystaspis. See App-57 and App-58 .

Verse 23

the book of the chronicles: i.e. the public records or registers.

Verse 24

the man of God. See App-49 .

God. Hebrew. Elohim. (with Art.) = the [true]God. App-4 .

Verse 25

ward = charge.

thresholds = gatherings or storehouses.

Verse 26

governor = Pasha. Chaldee. pechah.

Verse 27

with thanksgivings. Psalms 14:0 7 would have been a suitable psalm for the occasion, and Psalms 122:0 .

Verse 28

the singers. Mentioned in Nehemiah 12:24 .

plain country = surrounding country.

Verse 29

the house of Gilgal. Hebrew Beth-Gilgal

Verse 31

companies of them that gave thanks. Heb, celebrations; "celebrations", or thanksgivings, put for the choirs who rendered them, by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), App-6 .

Verse 32

Hoshaiah. Compare Jeremiah 42:1 ; Jeremiah 43:2 .

Verse 33

Ezra. Not Ezra the scribe,

Verse 36

Of David: i.e. dating from, or invented by him.

Verse 37

the stairs. See Nehemiah 3:15 .

Verse 40

in = at.

Verse 43

offered. Hebrew. zabach. App-43 .

children = offspring.

Verse 44

some = men. Hebrew. 'enosh. App-14 .

offerings = heave offerings.

into them = by them: i.e. these officers; not into the chambers, for "chambers" is fem, and "them" is masculine

of the law. So in Cod. Hillel; but some codices, with one early printed edition, read "portions for thanksgiving".

Verse 45

ward = charge.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

Verse 47

all Israel. Used of Judah, Benjamin, and those who returned with them. See note on 1 Kings 12:17 .

children = sons.