Bible Commentaries
Nehemiah 7

Introduction

Overview

Nehemiah 7:1, Nehemiah commits the charge of Jerusalem to Hanani and Hananiah; Nehemiah 7:5, A register of the genealogy of them which came at the first out of Babylon; Nehemiah 7:9, of the people; Nehemiah 7:39, of the priests; Nehemiah 7:43, of the Levites; Nehemiah 7:46, of the Nethinims; Nehemiah 7:57, of Solomon’s servants; Nehemiah 7:63, and of the priests which could not find their pedigree; Nehemiah 7:66, The whole number of them, with their substance; Nehemiah 7:70, Their oblations.

Verse 1

the wall: Nehemiah 3:1-32, Nehemiah 6:15

I had set up: Nehemiah 3:3, Nehemiah 6:1

the porters: Nehemiah 10:39, Nehemiah 11:3, Nehemiah 12:24, 1 Chronicles 23:1-32, 1 Chronicles 25:1 - 1 Chronicles 26:32, 2 Chronicles 31:2, Ezra 3:8

Reciprocal: Psalms 147:13 - he hath

Verse 2

my brother: Nehemiah 1:2

Hananiah: Nehemiah 10:23

the ruler: Nehemiah 2:8

a faithful man: Numbers 12:7, Psalms 101:6, Daniel 6:4, Matthew 24:45, Matthew 25:21, Luke 16:10-12, 1 Corinthians 4:2, 2 Timothy 2:2

feared God: Nehemiah 5:15, Genesis 42:18, Exodus 18:21, 2 Samuel 23:3, 1 Kings 18:3, 1 Kings 18:12, Job 1:1, Isaiah 33:5, Isaiah 33:6

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 8:1 - made his 2 Kings 4:1 - thy servant did fear 2 Kings 12:15 - for they dealt 2 Kings 22:7 - they dealt faithfully 2 Chronicles 34:12 - faithfully Ezra 2:6 - Pahathmoab Ezra 2:12 - Azgad Ezra 2:14 - Bigvai Nehemiah 4:23 - So neither I Nehemiah 13:13 - counted Proverbs 28:20 - faithful Jeremiah 30:21 - nobles Daniel 6:3 - an

Verse 3

Let not the gates: This is, the gates were not to be opened till sun-rise, and to be shut at sun-set; which is still the custom in many cities of the East. If a traveller arrives after sun-set, he finds the gates shut, and on no consideration will they open them till morning. Nehemiah 13:19, Psalms 127:1, Matthew 10:16

every one to be: Nehemiah 3:23, Nehemiah 3:28-30

Reciprocal: Ezra 2:35 - Senaah

Verse 4

large and great: Heb. broad in spaces

the houses: Isaiah 58:12, Haggai 1:4-6, Matthew 6:33

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 28:62 - few in number Nehemiah 11:1 - the rulers Psalms 147:2 - build Jeremiah 30:18 - the city

Verse 5

my God: Nehemiah 5:19, Nehemiah 6:14

put into mine: Ezra 7:27, 1 Corinthians 15:10, 2 Corinthians 3:5, 2 Corinthians 8:16, Philippians 2:12, Philippians 2:13, Colossians 1:29, James 1:16, Whatever good motion is in our minds, whether prudent or pious, we must acknowledge it to come from God; for every good gift and every good work are from above; he gives knowledge, he gives grace. What is commonly called human prudence, ought to be ascribed to the direction of Divine Providence. He who teaches the husbandman discretion, Isaiah 28:26, as certainly over-rules the deliberations of senators.

that: Nehemiah 7:64, 1 Chronicles 9:1-9, Ezra 2:62

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 11:1 - the rulers

Verse 6

the children: Ezra 2:1-70, Ezra 5:8, Ezra 6:2

whom Nebuchadnezzar: 2 Kings 24:14-16, 2 Kings 25:11, 2 Chronicles 36:1-23, Jeremiah 39:1-18, Jeremiah 52:1-34

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 1:3 - the province Nehemiah 11:3 - the chief Daniel 2:25 - captives of Judah

Verse 7

Zerubbabel: Nehemiah 12:1, Nehemiah 12:7, Nehemiah 12:10, Ezekiel 1:11, Sheshbazzar, Nehemiah 2:2, Haggai 1:1, Matthew 1:12, Matthew 1:13, Zorobabel

Jeshua: Ezra 3:8, Ezra 3:9, Ezra 5:2, Zechariah 3:1-3, Joshua

Azariah: One of Dr. Kennicott's codices has Seraiah, as in the parallel passage. Ezra 2:2, Seraiah, Reelaiah

Mispereth: Ezra 2:2, Mizpar

Nehum: Three manuscripts in the parallel place have Nehum, and four have here Rehum. Nehemiah 12:3, Ezra 2:2, Rehum

Verse 8

Parosh: Nehemiah 10:14, Ezra 2:3, Ezra 8:3, Pharosh, Nehemiah 10:25

Reciprocal: Ezra 10:25 - sons of Parosh Nehemiah 3:25 - Parosh

Verse 9

Shephatiah: Ezra 2:4, Ezra 8:8

Reciprocal: Jeremiah 38:1 - Shephatiah

Verse 10

Arah: Nehemiah 6:18, Ezra 2:5. 775

Verse 11

Pahathmoab: Nehemiah 10:14, Ezra 2:6. Ezra 2:2, 812; Ezra 8:4

Reciprocal: Ezra 8:9 - Joab Ezra 10:30 - Pahathmoab Nehemiah 3:11 - Pahathmoab

Verse 12

Elam: Ezra 2:7, Ezra 8:7, Ezra 10:26

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 7:34 - the other Elam

Verse 13

Zattu: Ezra 2:8. 945

Reciprocal: Ezra 10:27 - Zattu

Verse 14

Zaccai: Ezra 2:9

Verse 15

Binnui: Ezra 2:10, Bani. 642

Reciprocal: Ezra 10:29 - Bani Nehemiah 10:14 - Bani

Verse 16

Bebai: Ezra 2:11. 623

Reciprocal: Ezra 8:11 - Bebai Ezra 10:28 - Bebai Nehemiah 10:15 - Azgad

Verse 17

Azgad: Ezra 2:12. Ezra 2:1, 222

Reciprocal: Ezra 8:12 - Azgad Nehemiah 10:15 - Azgad

Verse 18

Adonikam: Ezra 2:13. 666

Reciprocal: Ezra 8:13 - Adonikam

Verse 19

Bigvai: Ezra 2:14, Ezra 2:2, Ezra 2:56

two thousand: One manuscript of Dr. Kennicott's reads "two thousand sixty and six;" but no doubt "two thousand and fifty-six," is the true reading, as in the parallel passage.

Reciprocal: Ezra 8:14 - Bigvai Nehemiah 10:16 - Bigvai

Verse 20

Adin: Ezra 2:15. 454

six hundred: One of Dr. Kennicott's codices has "six hundred fifty and four.

Reciprocal: Ezra 8:6 - Adin

Verse 21

Ater: Ezra 2:16

Verse 22

Hashum: Ezra 2:19. 223

Reciprocal: Ezra 10:33 - Hashum Nehemiah 10:18 - Hashum

Verse 23

Bezai: Ezra 2:17. 323

Verse 24

Hariph: Hariph and Jorah were probably two distinct names of this person. Ezra 2:18, Jorah

Verse 25

Gibeon: Gibeon is probably a mistake for Gibbar, or the contrary; though this person may have been called by both names. Ezra 2:20, Gibbar

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 2:42 - the father of Hebron

Verse 26

The men: The Septuagint reads here the same as in the parallel place, יןי ביטבכול, וךבפןם ויךןףיפסויע; ץיןי פשצב (Alex. םופשצב) נוםפחךןםפבומ; "The children of Bethlehem, one hundred twenty and three; the children of Netophah, fifty and six." Though this reading is not found in any Hebrew manuscript yet collated, it is doubtless the true one.

Bethlehem: Ezra 2:21, Ezra 2:22. 179

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 2:54 - Netophathites 1 Chronicles 9:16 - Netophathites Jeremiah 40:8 - Netophathite

Verse 27

Anathoth: Ezra 2:23, Isaiah 10:30, Jeremiah 1:1, Jeremiah 11:21

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 11:32 - Anathoth

Verse 28

Bethazmaveth: Ezra 2:24, Azmaveth

Verse 29

Kirjathjearim: Instead of Kirjath-arim, in the parallel place of Ezra, many manuscripts read Kirjath-jearim, as here. Joshua 9:17, Joshua 18:25, Judges 18:12, Ezra 2:25, Kirjath-arim

Verse 30

Ramah: Joshua 18:24, Joshua 18:25, Ezra 2:26

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 11:31 - from Geba

Verse 31

Michmas: The variation between מכמש [Strong's H4363], Michmash, and מכמס [Strong's H4363], Michmas, arises from the mutation of ש, sheen, and ס, samech; though several manuscripts have the former reading here also. 1 Samuel 13:5, 1 Samuel 13:23. Ezra 2:27, Is. Ezra 10:28, Michmash.

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 11:31 - at Michmash

Verse 32

Bethel: Joshua 8:9, Joshua 8:17, Ezra 2:28. 223

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 11:31 - Aija

Verse 33

Nebo: Ezra 2:29

fifty and two: The Alexandrian manuscript of the Septuagint adds, יןי בדבגשע וךבפןם נוםפחךןםפבומ, "The children of Magbish an hundred fifty and six," as in Ezra 2:30.

Reciprocal: Ezra 2:28 - Ai Ezra 10:43 - Nebo

Verse 34

the other Elam: Nehemiah 7:12, Ezra 2:31

Reciprocal: Ezra 8:7 - Elam Ezra 10:2 - Elam Ezra 10:26 - Elam

Verse 35

Harim: Ezra 2:32, Ezra 10:31

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 24:8 - Harim

Verse 36

Jericho: Ezra 2:34

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 3:2 - the men

Verse 37

Lod: Nehemiah 6:2, Nehemiah 11:34, Nehemiah 11:35, 1 Chronicles 8:12, Ezra 2:33. 725

Verse 38

Senaah: Ezra 2:35. Ezra 2:3, 630

Verse 39

Jedaiah: 1 Chronicles 24:7-19, Ezra 2:36

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 24:11 - Jeshuah Nehemiah 11:10 - Jedaiah

Verse 40

Immer: 1 Chronicles 24:14, Ezra 2:37

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 9:12 - Immer Ezra 10:20 - Immer Nehemiah 3:29 - the son Jeremiah 20:1 - Immer

Verse 41

Pashur: 1 Chronicles 9:12, 1 Chronicles 24:9, Ezra 2:38, Ezra 10:22

Reciprocal: Jeremiah 20:1 - Immer

Verse 42

Harim: 1 Chronicles 24:8, Ezra 2:39, Ezra 10:31

Reciprocal: Ezra 10:21 - Harim

Verse 43

Hodevah: Ezra 2:40, Hodaviah, Nehemiah 3:9, Judah

Reciprocal: Ezra 3:9 - Judah Nehemiah 10:9 - Jeshua

Verse 44

The singers: 1 Chronicles 25:2, Ezra 2:41. 128

an hundred: One of Dr. Kennicott's manuscripts reads in the parallel place of Ezra, "an hundred and forty and eight," as here.

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 6:39 - Asaph

Verse 45

The porters: 1 Chronicles 26:1-32, Ezra 2:42. 130

Reciprocal: Ezra 7:7 - porters Nehemiah 11:19 - Akkub

Verse 46

Nethinims: Leviticus 27:2-8, Joshua 9:23-27, 1 Chronicles 9:2

Hashupha: Ezra 2:43, Hasupha

Reciprocal: Ezra 7:7 - Nethinims Nehemiah 3:26 - Nethinims Ezekiel 48:18 - that serve

Verse 47

Sia: Ezra 2:44, Siaha

Verse 48

Hagaba: Ezra 2:45, Ezra 2:46, Hagabah, or Hagab, The Alexandrian manuscript of the Septuagint inserts here, ץיןי ךןץה, ץיןי ץפב, ץיןי חפבס, ץיןי דבג "the children of Akoud, the children of Outa, the children of Ketar, the children of Agab," or Hagab. See the parallel passages.

Shalmai: In the parallel passage not only the Keri and Septuagint, but many of Dr. Kennicott's manuscripts read Shalmai, as here. A more extensive collation of manuscripts would doubtless tend still more to harmonize both the names and numbers. Ezra 2:46, Shamlai

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 12:8 - Jeshua

Verse 51

Phaseah: This variation only exists in the translation; the original being uniformly Paseah. Ezra 2:49, Paseah

Verse 52

Meunim: The first of these variations is attributable to the translation, the original being uniformly, מעונים [Strong's H4586], Meunim; and the latter arises from the mutation of, ו, wav, and, י, yood, and insertion of, ש, sheen, though in the parallel passage the Kethiv is נפיסים [Strong's H5304], Nephisim; and here the Keri and many manuscripts have נפישסים [Strong's H5300], Nephishesim. Ezra 2:50, Mehunim, Nephusim

Verse 54

Bazlith: Instead of Bazlith, many manuscripts and the LXX have Bazluth, as in the parallel place. Ezra 2:52, Bazluth

Verse 55

Tamah: Here there is no variation in the original; it being uniformly Tamah. Ezra 2:53, Thamah

Verse 57

Solomon's: Nehemiah 11:3

Perida: Three manuscripts have Peruda, instead of Perida, as in Ezra. Ezra 2:55, Peruda

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 5:15 - threescore 1 Kings 9:21 - bondservice Ecclesiastes 2:7 - servants

Verse 58

Jaala: The variation of יעלה [Strong's H3279], Jaalah, and יעלא [Strong's H3279], Jaala, merely arises from the mutation of ה, hay, into א, aleph, according to the Chaldee dialect. Ezra 2:56, Jaalah

Verse 59

Amon: Instead of Amon, two of De Rossi's manuscripts have Amin, and the LXX have ליל, Emim; which nearly approaches the Ami of Ezra. Ezra 2:57, Ami

Verse 60

the Nethinims: Ezra 2:58

Reciprocal: Joshua 9:27 - made them 1 Kings 5:15 - threescore 1 Chronicles 9:2 - the Nethinims

Verse 61

Telharesha: The first of these variations only exists in the translation; the original being uniformly תל חרשא [Strong's H8521], Tel̇harshà the latter simply arises from the insertion of a ו, wav; being written אדן [Strong's H135], Addan, in the parallel passage, and אדון [Strong's H114], Addon, here. Ezra 2:59, Tel-harsa, Addan

seed: or, pedigree

Reciprocal: Numbers 1:18 - their pedigrees Micah 2:5 - the congregation

Verse 62

six hundred: Ezra 2:60. 652

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 13:9 - neither shall they be

Verse 63

of the priests: Ezra 2:61-63

Barzillai: 2 Samuel 17:27, 2 Samuel 19:31-33, 1 Kings 2:7

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 3:21 - Koz

Verse 64

These sought: Matthew 22:11-13

those that were: Nehemiah 7:5, 1 Chronicles 9:1

but it was: Matthew 25:11, Matthew 25:12

as polluted: Nehemiah 13:29, Leviticus 4:3

Reciprocal: Ezra 2:61 - the children Nehemiah 13:22 - I commanded Ezekiel 13:9 - neither shall they be

Verse 65

the Tirshatha: or, the governor, Nehemiah 8:9, Nehemiah 10:1, Ezra 2:63

that they should: Leviticus 2:3, Leviticus 2:10, Leviticus 6:17, Leviticus 7:19, Leviticus 7:20, Leviticus 10:17, Leviticus 10:18, Leviticus 21:21-23

till there: Exodus 28:30, Numbers 27:21, Deuteronomy 33:8

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 13:22 - I commanded

Verse 66

Ezra 2:64

Verse 67

their manservants: Isaiah 45:1, Isaiah 45:2, Jeremiah 27:7

two hundred: Ezra 2:65. 200

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 19:35 - I hear

Verse 68

Ezra 2:66, Ezra 2:67

Verse 69

Here Jerome adds, in the Vulgate, Hucusque refertur quid in commentario scriptum fuerit; exin Nehemie historia texitur̀ "Thus far do the words extend which were written in the register; what follows belongs to the history of Nehemiah." This addition is not found in the Hebrew, or any ancient version: it is also wanting in the Paris and Complutensian Polyglotts; but is found in the Editio Prima of the Vulgate. What follows, however, seems to relate to a distinct oblation from that recorded in Ezra; and was probably made after the people were registered by Nehemiah, who was the Tirshatha, or governor, at this time, as Zerubbabel had been at the first return of the Jews from captivity. Blessed be God that our faith and hope are not built upon the niceties of names and numbers, genealogy and chronology, but on the great things of the law and gospel. Whatever is given to the work of God and his cause will surely be remembered by him - Hebrews 6:10.

Verse 70

some: Heb. part, Ezra 2:68-70

the chief: Numbers 7:2-86, 1 Chronicles 29:3-9

The Tirshatha: Nehemiah 8:9, Nehemiah 10:1

drams: Darkemonim, or darics; a Persian gold coin, worth about 1. 5s.

basins: Exodus 12:22, Exodus 24:6, 1 Kings 7:45, 1 Chronicles 28:17, 2 Chronicles 4:8, 2 Chronicles 4:11, Jeremiah 52:19

Reciprocal: Exodus 35:22 - every man Numbers 7:84 - the dedication Joshua 6:19 - the treasury 2 Chronicles 35:8 - his princes Ezra 8:1 - the chief Mark 12:44 - cast in of

Verse 71

chief: Job 34:19, Luke 21:1-4, 2 Corinthians 8:12

pound: Manim, manehs or minas, As a weight, the maneh was equal to 100 shekels; but as a coin, equal to 60 shekels, or about 9.

Reciprocal: Joshua 6:19 - the treasury Ezra 2:69 - the treasure Ezra 8:1 - the chief

Verse 72

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 22:14 - wardrobe Ezra 2:69 - the treasure Nehemiah 10:28 - the rest

Verse 73

all Israel: It was for the purpose of ascertaining the different families, and consequently the different cities, villages, etc., which belonged to them, according to the ancient division of the land, that the public registers were examined.

when the seventh: Ezra 2:70, Ezra 3:1

Reciprocal: Numbers 29:1 - the seventh 1 Chronicles 9:2 - the first 1 Chronicles 23:5 - porters Ezra 6:16 - the children Nehemiah 10:28 - the rest Nehemiah 11:3 - Israel