THE ESTABLISHMENT OF JERUSALEM AS THE HOLY CITY, POPULATED BY TRUE ISRAELITES; ITS WORSHIP CONDUCTED BY THOSE SPECIFICALLY AND PROVABLY APPOINTED BY GOD; ACCEPTED FROM GOD WITH DUE GLADNESS AND PRAISE; AND PURIFIED BY THE REMOVAL OF ALL THAT COULD BE DISPLEASING TO GOD (NEHEMIAH 11:1 TO NEHEMIAH 13:... [ Continue Reading ]
FOLLOWING THE MAKING OF THE RENEWED COVENANT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEW JERUSALEM AND OF THE RENEWED ISRAEL IS DESCRIBED (NEHEMIAH 11:1). Having renewed the covenant it was now necessary for the new Israel to be soundly established, and the words ‘we will not forsake the house of our God' (Nehemia... [ Continue Reading ]
THE REPOPULATING OF JERUSALEM AND ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HOLY CITY (NEHEMIAH 11:1). The establishing of Jerusalem as ‘the holy city', a city cleansed of all defilement, was now seen as the first priority in order to fulfil the promises of the prophets (Isaiah 52:1; Daniel 9:24). It was to be a purifie... [ Continue Reading ]
THE NAMES OF THE CHIEF MEN WHO TOOK UP DWELLING IN JERUSALEM (NEHEMIAH 11:3). A parallel list of those who ‘dwelt in Jerusalem' is found in 1 Chronicles 9, but it is widely different from this list, although having some parallels. We should note, however, that 1 Chronicles 9 does not say when the pe... [ Continue Reading ]
OF THE CHILDREN OF JUDAH (NEHEMIAH 11:4). Comparison with the list in 1 Chronicles 9 indicates that there is not a single duplication. The names in each are totally distinctive. This demonstrates that they are referring to different times. The ones named in 1 Chronicles 9 may be those who had settl... [ Continue Reading ]
OF THE CHILDREN OF BENJAMIN (NEHEMIAH 11:7). Again when comparing with 1 Chronicles 9 there is not a single duplication. A Sallu, the son of Meshullam, is mentioned in both, but these were clearly popular Benjamite names and their antecedents reveal that the name refers to different men. Otherwise... [ Continue Reading ]
OF THE PRIESTS (NEHEMIAH 11:10). From this point on there are closer parallels with 1 Chronicles 9. But this may simply be because the contributor of this information in Nehemiah included some as moving into Jerusalem on a full-time basis who were already ‘living in Jerusalem' on a part time basis ... [ Continue Reading ]
OF THE LEVITES (NEHEMIAH 11:15). A number of Levites also took up permanent residence in Jerusalem in order to aid its new beginning. They would do so with high hopes. Nehemiah 11:15 ‘And of the Levites:' Nehemiah 11:15 ‘Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GATE-KEEPERS (NEHEMIAH 11:19). The mention of the gate-keepers separately from the Levites does not necessarily mean that the gate-keepers were not seen as Levites. Only that they had a special role. Indeed Nehemiah 11:20 suggests that they were seen as Levites (they are not there mentioned sep... [ Continue Reading ]
THE NETHINIM (NEHEMIAH 11:21). We already know from Nehemiah 3:26; Nehemiah 3:31 that the Nethinim (given ones) dwelt in the Ophel. They were lower level Temple servants previously given by the kings for Temple service. They had probably largely been taken as prisoners of war, but were now fully in... [ Continue Reading ]
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE RESIDENCE OF THE RETURNEES (NEHEMIAH 11:21). We now have added to the previous information, which has indicated those who took up residence in Jerusalem, various details concerning residence in Jerusalem and wider Judah.... [ Continue Reading ]
EXTRA DETAILS CONCERNING THE SINGERS/MUSICIANS (NEHEMIAH 11:22). The singers/musicians have already been mentioned in Nehemiah 11:17. Now further details are given concerning them. Nehemiah 11:22 ‘The overseer also of the Levites at Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the so... [ Continue Reading ]
TOWNS IN THE FORMER JUDEAN UPLANDS (NEHEMIAH 11:25). These towns in the former Judean uplands were on the whole outside the Persian Province of Judah, but had seemingly been resettled by the returnees. This is in no way an attempt to list all the towns in Judah. Rather the aim was to indicate how w... [ Continue Reading ]
THE DWELLINGPLACES OF THE CHILDREN OF JUDAH OUTSIDE JERUSALEM (NEHEMIAH 11:25). Meanwhile, as Nehemiah 11:20 tells us, ‘the residue of Israel, of the priests and the Levites, were all in the cities of Judah, every one in his inheritance.' We are now therefore given details of some of these, demonstr... [ Continue Reading ]
TOWNS IN THE NEGEB AND THE RELATED AREA. THE EXTREME SOUTH OF FORMER JUDAH (NEHEMIAH 11:26 A). The Negeb (‘the Dry') was the southernmost part of ancient Judah, its expansive area forming its southern border. It was on the whole pasture land, being semi-desert, with its towns built at ancient sprin... [ Continue Reading ]
TOWNS IN THE SHEPHELAH (THE WESTERN LOWLANDS) (NEHEMIAH 11:29). The Shephelah was the name given to the low hills and valleys which separated the Coastal Plain from the Central Highlands. It was well populated. Nehemiah 11:29 ‘And in Zorah, and in Jarmuth,' Moving northward to the northern Shephe... [ Continue Reading ]
THE DWELLINGPLACES OF THE CHILDREN OF BENJAMIN (NEHEMIAH 11:31). In contrast with the description of Judah, the cities and towns of Benjamin are detailed, although this may partly indicate how thoroughly Judah had been devastated during and after the capture of Jerusalem. The Benjamites had settled... [ Continue Reading ]