Bible Commentaries
Nehemiah 7

Verses 1-73

At last the wall was completed by setting up the doors, and placing in order porters, singers, and Levites. In the first few verses of this chapter we have an account of the arrangements for the safety of the city. They are characterized by statesmanlike caution. Through all the country round about there were enemies, and the position of the partially restored city, therefore, was one of perpetual peril. Nehemiah was conscious of this, and made the most careful provision for the hour for opening and closing the city gates, and the arrangement of the watchers.

No greater mistake can ever be made in connection with work for God in difficult places than to lack caution. carelessness is never a sign of courage. True bravery perpetually prepares for attack. The man who, sword in hand, has built to completion does not imagine that swinging doors indicate that the time for relaxing watchfulness has come.

The rest of the chapter is occupied with a register, which is almost undoubtedly a copy of that in the Book of Ezra. The alterations are few and unimportant, and it is distinctly stated that the register was found.