Nehemiah 12:44

at that time R.V. on that day. This is not an allusion to the day of rejoicing in the previous verse (-that day" Nehemiah 12:43), but a general definition of time which the Compiler uses again in Nehemiah 8:1. It is only a little less indefinite than -in those days," Nehemiah 13:15; Nehemiah 13:23.

some R.V. men.

the chambers The Hebrew word here used occurs elsewhere only in Nehemiah 3:30, and Nehemiah 13:7.

for the treasures As in Nehemiah 13:13, Nehemiah records his special appointment of -treasurers over the treasuries" whose business it was -to distribute unto their brethren." The appointments mentioned in this verse are probably of a somewhat different nature. The men -appointed over the chambers" were the regular receivers and custodians of the treasure, i.e. the firstfruits and tithes, &c.; the four appointed by Nehemiah were commissioners for the purpose of securing an honest distribution.

for the treasures Either a general term denoting -stores" and -provisions," of which -the heave-offerings" are items, or a specific term, standing at the head of the list, and denoting special dedications and wealthy gifts. The former is the more probable alternative.

the offerings R.V. the heave offerings.

the firstfruits The use of this word seems here to include -the firstfruits" and -firstlings" mentioned in Nehemiah 10:35-37.

the tithes See on Nehemiah 10:37-38.

It will be observed that there is no reference here to any tithe of cattle. The chambers are only intended for receiving the produce of the field (Nehemiah 13:12). As this passage is clearly based upon Nehemiah's own Memoirs, it has afforded support to the theory that the cattle tithe was introduced into the text of Leviticus 27:30; Leviticus 27:32, after the time of Nehemiah. See note at the end of chap. 10.

out of the fields of the cities R.V. according to the fields of the cities.

The point of this clause is rather obscure. It probably refers to the method of storing, rather than to the size of the fields or to the succession in which the offerings were received and the tithe exacted.

An account was taken of the contributions from the fields of each city.

the portions of the law R.V. the portions appointed toy the law. Marg. -Heb. of the law". A unique phrase in the O.T. denoting the special requirements of the Levitical law.

Judah rejoiced&c. The readiness of the people generally (-Judah") to support the priests and Levites according to -the law" was due to their appreciation of their religious services. In proportion to their zeal for the priests and Levites it was necessary to provide officers to receive and regulate the contribution.

that wailed R.V. Marg. -Heb. stood".

In Deuteronomy the phrase -to stand before the Lord" is the technical term for the ministrations of the priests. Here we find it used of the offices of -priests and Levites." In 1 Chronicles 6:32-33 -And they waited on their office according to their order. And these are they that waited," it is applied to the Levites.