Bible Commentaries
Nehemiah 12

Introduction

Overview

Nehemiah 12:1, The priests and the Levites which came up with Zerubbabel; Nehemiah 12:10, The succession of high priests; Nehemiah 12:22, Certain chief Levites; Nehemiah 12:27, The solemnity of the dedication of the walls; Nehemiah 12:44, The offices of priests and Levites appointed in the temple.

Verse 1

We have in this chapter a record of little more than the names of a great many priests and Levites, that were eminent in their day among the returned Jews. It is good to know what our godly ancestors and predecessors were, that we may learn thereby what we should be.

the priests: Nehemiah 7:7, Ezra 2:1, Ezra 2:2

Zerubbabel: 1 Chronicles 3:17-19, Ezra 3:8, Ezra 4:2, Ezra 5:2, Haggai 1:1, Haggai 1:12, Haggai 1:14, Haggai 2:2, Haggai 2:21-23, Zechariah 4:6-10, Matthew 1:12, Matthew 1:13, Zorobabel, Salathiel

Jeshua: Nehemiah 12:10, Zechariah 3:1-9, Zechariah 6:11, Joshua

Seraiah: Nehemiah 12:12-21, Nehemiah 10:2-8, Ezra 2:2

Reciprocal: Numbers 3:18 - General Numbers 3:19 - General Nehemiah 12:7 - of Jeshua Nehemiah 12:47 - Zerubbabel Nehemiah 13:30 - appointed

Verse 2

Malluch: Nehemiah 12:14, Melicu

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 10:3 - Amariah Nehemiah 10:4 - Malluch

Verse 3

Shechaniah: Nehemiah 12:14, Shebaniah

Rehum: Nehemiah 12:15, Harim

Meremoth: Nehemiah 12:15, Meraioth

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 7:7 - Nehum Nehemiah 10:5 - Meremoth

Verse 4

Ginnetho: Instead of Ginnetho, many manuscripts, and Vulgate have Ginnethon. Nehemiah 12:16, Ginnethon

Abijah: Luke 1:5, Abia

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 24:10 - Abijah Nehemiah 10:6 - Ginnethon Nehemiah 10:7 - Abijah Zechariah 1:1 - Iddo

Verse 5

Miamin: Nehemiah 12:17, Miniamin

Maadiah: The variation between Moadiah, מועדיה [Strong's H4153], and Maadiah, מעדיה [Strong's H4573], merely arises from the elision of ו, wav; the LXX, however, in Nehemiah 12:17, have בבהבי. Nehemiah 12:17, Moadiah

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 10:7 - Mijamin Nehemiah 10:8 - Bilgai

Verse 6

Joiarib: Nehemiah 11:10, 1 Chronicles 9:10, Jehoiarib

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 10:8 - Shemaiah Nehemiah 12:18 - Shemaiah

Verse 7

Sallu: The variation of סלו [Strong's H5543], Sallu, and סלי [Strong's H5543], Sallai, is simply caused by the mutation of ו, wav and י, yood. Nehemiah 12:20, Sallai

the chief: "The chief of the priests" seem to have been the heads of the courses established by David. 1 Chronicles 24:18

of Jeshua: Nehemiah 12:1, Ezra 3:2, Haggai 1:1, Zechariah 3:1

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 7:7 - Zerubbabel Matthew 2:4 - the chief Matthew 16:21 - chief priests

Verse 8

Jeshua: Nehemiah 7:48, Nehemiah 9:4, Nehemiah 10:9-13

Mattaniah: Nehemiah 11:17, Nehemiah 11:22

the thanksgiving: that is, The psalms of thanksgiving, Nehemiah 12:24, 1 Chronicles 9:33

Reciprocal: Numbers 1:50 - thou shalt Nehemiah 3:19 - Jeshua Nehemiah 10:12 - Sherebiah Nehemiah 12:25 - Mattaniah Revelation 7:12 - thanksgiving

Verse 9

over against: Psalms 134:1-3

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 11:17 - Bakbukiah Nehemiah 12:24 - ward Nehemiah 12:25 - Mattaniah

Verse 10

Jeshua: Nehemiah 12:26, 1 Chronicles 6:3-15

Eliashib: Nehemiah 3:1, Nehemiah 13:4, Nehemiah 13:7, Nehemiah 13:28

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 2:35 - I will build 1 Chronicles 24:11 - Jeshuah 1 Chronicles 24:12 - Eliashib Ezra 10:6 - Johanan Ezra 10:18 - Jeshua Nehemiah 7:7 - Zerubbabel Nehemiah 12:1 - Jeshua Nehemiah 12:22 - Eliashib Nehemiah 13:22 - cleanse Haggai 1:1 - Joshua Hebrews 7:23 - were

Verse 11

Jonathan: Jaddua is supposed to be Jaddus the high priest, who went in his pontifical robes to meet Alexander the Great, when advancing to destroy Jerusalem; who was so struck with his appearance, that he forbore all hostilities, and granted many privileges to the Jews. According to Eusebius, he was high priest from am 3665 to 3982. Nehemiah 12:11

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 2:35 - I will build Nehemiah 12:22 - Eliashib Hebrews 7:23 - were

Verse 12

the chief: Nehemiah 12:22, 1 Chronicles 9:33, 1 Chronicles 9:34, 1 Chronicles 15:12, 1 Chronicles 24:6-31

Seraiah: Nehemiah 12:1

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 12:47 - Zerubbabel

Verse 13

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 8:4 - Meshullam Nehemiah 10:3 - Amariah Nehemiah 10:7 - Meshullam Nehemiah 12:22 - recorded

Verse 14

Melicu: Nehemiah 12:2, Malluch.

Shebaniah: Two manuscripts, and Vulgate in Nehemiah 12:3, have Shebaniah; and here many manuscripts have Shechaniah. Nehemiah 12:3, Shechaniah

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 10:4 - Shebaniah

Verse 15

Harim: Nehemiah 12:3, Rehum

Meraioth: Nehemiah 12:3, Meremoth

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 6:6 - Meraioth 1 Chronicles 24:8 - Harim

Verse 16

Iddo: Nehemiah 12:4

Ginnethon: Nehemiah 12:4, Ginnetho

Reciprocal: Zechariah 1:1 - Iddo

Verse 17

Miniamin: The LXX, and Vulgate have here יבלים, Miamin. Nehemiah 12:5, Miamin

Moadiah: Nehemiah 12:5, Maadiah

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 24:9 - Mijamin 1 Chronicles 24:10 - Abijah Nehemiah 10:7 - Mijamin Luke 1:5 - of the course

Verse 18

Shemaiah: Nehemiah 12:6

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 10:8 - Shemaiah

Verse 19

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 9:10 - Jehoiarib 1 Chronicles 24:7 - Jehoiarib Nehemiah 11:10 - Jedaiah

Verse 20

Sallai: Nehemiah 12:7, Sallu

Verse 22

Eliashib: Nehemiah 12:10, Nehemiah 12:11

recorded: Nehemiah 12:12, Nehemiah 12:13

Reciprocal: Numbers 1:50 - thou shalt Ezra 10:6 - Johanan Nehemiah 3:20 - Eliashib Nehemiah 13:28 - Joiada

Verse 23

the book: 1 Chronicles 9:14-44

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 3:20 - Eliashib

Verse 24

Hashabiah: Nehemiah 12:8, Nehemiah 8:7, Nehemiah 9:4, Nehemiah 10:9-13

according: 1 Chronicles 23:1-32, 1 Chronicles 25:1 - 1 Chronicles 26:32

the man: Deuteronomy 33:1, Joshua 14:6, 1 Kings 17:24, 2 Chronicles 8:14, 1 Timothy 6:11, 2 Timothy 3:17

ward: Nehemiah 12:9, Ezra 3:10, Ezra 3:11

Reciprocal: Joshua 3:8 - command 1 Chronicles 9:14 - Hashabiah 1 Chronicles 16:7 - on that day 1 Chronicles 25:8 - ward against ward 1 Chronicles 26:16 - ward against ward Ezra 8:18 - Sherebiah Nehemiah 7:1 - the porters Nehemiah 10:11 - Hashabiah Nehemiah 11:22 - Hashabiah Nehemiah 12:36 - musical instruments

Verse 25

Mattaniah: Nehemiah 12:8, Nehemiah 12:9, Nehemiah 11:17-19, 1 Chronicles 9:14-17

keeping: 1 Chronicles 23:32, 1 Chronicles 26:12, Isaiah 21:8

thresholds: or, treasuries, or assemblies

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 26:15 - Asuppim Nehemiah 8:7 - Akkub Nehemiah 10:7 - Meshullam Nehemiah 11:19 - Akkub Nehemiah 11:22 - Mattaniah

Verse 26

Joiakim: Nehemiah 12:10

Nehemiah: Nehemiah 8:9, Ezra 7:6, Ezra 7:11

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 12:47 - Zerubbabel

Verse 27

am 3559, bc 445

the dedication: Jerusalem was the holy city, and the wall was built under the immediate superintendence and blessing of Jehovah: it was therefore proper that it should be dedicated to that God who was there worshipped by solemn praises, prayers, and sacrifices. The dedication seems to have consisted in processions of the most eminent persons around the walls, with thanksgivings to God, who had enabled them to bring the work to so happy a conclusion; and, no doubt, to all this were added a particular consecration of the city to God, and the most earnest invocation that He would take it under His guardianship, and defend it and its inhabitants against their enemies. Deuteronomy 20:5, Psalms 30:1, *title

out: Nehemiah 11:20, 1 Chronicles 15:4, 1 Chronicles 15:12, 1 Chronicles 25:6, 1 Chronicles 26:31, 2 Chronicles 5:13, 2 Chronicles 29:4-11, 2 Chronicles 29:30, Ezra 8:15-20

gladness: Nehemiah 8:17, Deuteronomy 16:11, 2 Samuel 6:12, 2 Chronicles 29:30, Ezra 6:16, Psalms 98:4-6, Psalms 100:1, Psalms 100:2, Philippians 4:4

thanksgivings: 1 Chronicles 13:8, 1 Chronicles 15:16, 1 Chronicles 15:28, 1 Chronicles 16:5, 1 Chronicles 16:42, 1 Chronicles 23:5, 1 Chronicles 25:1-6, 2 Chronicles 5:13, 2 Chronicles 7:6, Ezra 3:10, Ezra 3:11, Psalms 81:1-4, Psalms 92:1-3, Psalms 149:3, Psalms 150:2-5, Revelation 5:8

Reciprocal: Numbers 7:10 - dedicating 1 Kings 8:63 - dedicated 1 Chronicles 6:32 - and then 2 Chronicles 20:21 - appointed Nehemiah 4:2 - sacrifice Jeremiah 31:13 - shall Revelation 21:12 - a wall

Verse 28

plain: Nehemiah 6:2

Netophathi: 1 Chronicles 2:54, 1 Chronicles 9:16

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 6:32 - and then 1 Chronicles 9:22 - in their Nehemiah 3:22 - the men of the plain

Verse 29

the house: Or, Beth-Gilgal, a village erected where the Israelites encamped after they had crossed the Jordan. Deuteronomy 11:30, Joshua 5:9, Joshua 10:43

Geba: Nehemiah 11:31, Joshua 21:17, 1 Chronicles 6:60

Azmaveth: Ezra 2:24

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 9:22 - in their

Verse 30

themselves: Genesis 35:2, Exodus 19:10, Exodus 19:15, Numbers 19:2-20, 2 Chronicles 29:5, 2 Chronicles 29:34, Ezra 6:21, Job 1:5, Hebrews 5:1, Hebrews 5:3

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 3:1 - sanctified it Nehemiah 13:22 - I commanded Psalms 147:13 - he hath Jeremiah 31:38 - that

Verse 31

the princes: 1 Chronicles 13:1, 1 Chronicles 28:1, 2 Chronicles 5:2

two great: Nehemiah 12:38, Nehemiah 12:40

dung gate: Nehemiah 2:13, Nehemiah 3:13, Nehemiah 3:14

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 11:17 - to begin Psalms 48:12 - Walk

Verse 32

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 12:40 - General

Verse 33

Azariah: Nehemiah 10:2-7

Reciprocal: Ezra 10:15 - Meshullam Nehemiah 8:7 - Azariah

Verse 34

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 10:2 - Seraiah

Verse 35

with trumpets: Numbers 10:2-10, Joshua 6:4, 2 Chronicles 5:12, 2 Chronicles 13:12

Zechariah: Nehemiah 11:17, 1 Chronicles 6:39-43, 1 Chronicles 25:2, 1 Chronicles 26:10, 1 Chronicles 26:11

Reciprocal: Numbers 10:10 - in the day Nehemiah 11:22 - Mattaniah Nehemiah 12:41 - with trumpets Nehemiah 13:13 - Mattaniah

Verse 36

musical instruments: Nehemiah 12:24, 1 Chronicles 23:5, 2 Chronicles 8:14, Amos 6:5

Ezra: Ezra 7:1, Ezra 8:1

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 15:16 - the singers Ezra 7:6 - scribe 1 Timothy 6:11 - O man

Verse 37

the fountain gate: Nehemiah 2:14, Nehemiah 3:15, Nehemiah 3:16

the stairs: Jerusalem was built on very uneven ground, some hills being enclosed within the walls, there was a necessity, therefore, for steps, by which to ascend and descend; probably similar to what is seen in the city of Bristol. Nehemiah 3:15, 2 Samuel 5:7-9

water gate: Nehemiah 3:26, Nehemiah 8:1, Nehemiah 8:3, Nehemiah 8:16

Verse 38

other: Nehemiah 12:31

tower: Nehemiah 3:11

broad: Nehemiah 3:8

Reciprocal: Ezra 2:33 - Hadid

Verse 39

the gate of Ephraim: Nehemiah 8:16, 2 Kings 14:13

the old: Nehemiah 3:6

the fish gate: Nehemiah 3:3, Zephaniah 1:10

the tower: Nehemiah 3:1, Jeremiah 31:38

the sheep: Nehemiah 3:32, John 5:2

the prison: Nehemiah 3:25, Nehemiah 3:31,*Heb: Jeremiah 32:2

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 25:23 - gate of Ephraim 2 Chronicles 33:14 - fish gate Zechariah 14:10 - from Benjamin's

Verse 40

Nehemiah 12:31, Nehemiah 12:32, Psalms 42:4, Psalms 47:6-9, Psalms 134:1-3

Reciprocal: Ezra 3:11 - they sang Hebrews 13:15 - the sacrifice

Verse 41

with trumpets: Nehemiah 12:35

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 8:7 - Maaseiah Nehemiah 10:7 - Mijamin

Verse 42

sang loud: Heb. made their voice to be heard, Psalms 81:1, Psalms 95:1, Psalms 98:4-9, Psalms 100:1, Psalms 100:2, Isaiah 12:5, Isaiah 12:6

overseer: Nehemiah 11:14

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 20:19 - a loud Nehemiah 8:7 - Maaseiah Nehemiah 10:8 - Shemaiah Nehemiah 11:22 - overseer

Verse 43

offered: Numbers 10:10, Deuteronomy 12:11, Deuteronomy 12:12, 1 Chronicles 29:21, 1 Chronicles 29:22, 2 Chronicles 7:5-7, 2 Chronicles 7:10, 2 Chronicles 29:35, 2 Chronicles 29:36, Psalms 27:6

God: 2 Chronicles 20:27, Job 34:29, Psalms 28:7, Psalms 30:11, Psalms 30:12, Psalms 92:4, Isaiah 61:3, Isaiah 66:10-14, Jeremiah 33:11, John 16:22

the wives also: Exodus 15:20, Exodus 15:21, 2 Chronicles 20:13, Psalms 148:11-13, Jeremiah 31:13, Matthew 21:9, Matthew 21:15, Ephesians 5:19, James 5:13

the joy: 1 Samuel 4:5, Ezra 3:13

Reciprocal: Leviticus 7:12 - a thanksgiving Numbers 7:10 - dedicating 1 Chronicles 15:16 - lifting up 1 Chronicles 25:1 - harps 2 Chronicles 20:19 - a loud Ezra 6:16 - with joy Nehemiah 4:2 - sacrifice Job 8:21 - rejoicing Psalms 53:6 - Jacob Jeremiah 30:19 - out Zephaniah 3:14 - shout Acts 21:5 - with Hebrews 13:15 - the sacrifice

Verse 44

some: Nehemiah 10:37-39, Nehemiah 13:5, Nehemiah 13:12, Nehemiah 13:13, 2 Chronicles 13:11, 2 Chronicles 13:12, 2 Chronicles 31:11-13

chambers: 1 Chronicles 9:26, 1 Chronicles 26:21-26

of the law: that is, appointed by the law

Judah rejoiced: Heb. the joy of Judah. Levites. Numbers 3:10, Numbers 8:24, Numbers 8:25, 1 Chronicles 23:28, 2 Chronicles 5:11, 2 Chronicles 5:12, Proverbs 8:34, Isaiah 40:31, Romans 12:7

waited: Heb. stood

Reciprocal: Genesis 18:8 - stood Leviticus 27:30 - General Numbers 16:9 - separated Numbers 18:21 - the tenth Deuteronomy 18:4 - firstfruit Deuteronomy 18:8 - like portions Deuteronomy 26:2 - That thou shalt 1 Kings 6:5 - built 1 Chronicles 9:22 - in their 1 Chronicles 9:28 - the charge 2 Chronicles 31:5 - came abroad Nehemiah 13:4 - having the oversight of Malachi 3:10 - the storehouse

Verse 45

the singers: 1 Chronicles 25:1 - 1 Chronicles 26:32

the ward: That is, they suffered no unclean person to enter the temple. 1 Chronicles 23:28, 2 Chronicles 23:6

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 6:32 - and then 1 Chronicles 9:23 - the oversight Nehemiah 13:9 - they cleansed

Verse 46

and Asaph: 1 Chronicles 25:1-31, 2 Chronicles 29:30, Psalms 73:1, *title Psalms 83:1, *title

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 6:39 - Asaph 1 Chronicles 15:16 - the singers Nehemiah 11:22 - Of the sons Colossians 3:16 - and spiritual Revelation 7:12 - thanksgiving

Verse 47

Zerubbabel: Nehemiah 12:1, Nehemiah 12:12, Nehemiah 12:26

gave: Nehemiah 10:35-39, Nehemiah 13:10-12, 2 Chronicles 31:5, 2 Chronicles 31:6, Malachi 3:8-10, Galatians 6:6

and they: That is, the people separated, or set apart, the tenth of the produce of their lands for the use of the Levites; and the Levites separated the tenth of their tithes for the priests. Numbers 18:21-29

sanctified: that is, set apart

Reciprocal: Numbers 1:50 - thou shalt Numbers 3:17 - Gershon Deuteronomy 18:8 - like portions 2 Kings 25:30 - a daily rate Malachi 3:10 - the storehouse