Nehemiah 2:16

The Nation's Resolve

16. the rulers R.V. marg. Or deputies. -S'ganim" is the title used in Ezra 9:2, and in this book (Nehemiah 4:8; Nehemiah 4:13; Nehemiah 5:7; Nehemiah 7:5; Nehemiah 12:40) for the chief magistrates and officials of the city.

whither I went, or what I did More literally -whither I hadgone and what I wasdoing."

neither had I as yet toldit] i.e. the prospect of rebuilding the walls.

the Jews … the work A remarkable division of the inhabitants of Jerusalem: -the Jews" here are the great mass of the lay population, as distinguished from (a) the priests, (b) -the nobles" - Khôrim", the aristocracy, heads of houses, &c. (cf. Nehemiah 4:13-14; Nehemiah 5:7; Nehemiah 6:17; Nehemiah 7:5; Nehemiah 13:17), (c) -the rulers," the official element (segânim), (d) -the rest that did the work," referring by anticipation to the large body who were shortly afterwards employed on -the work" of building the walls.