MEASURES TO SUPPLEMENT THE POPULATION OF JERUSALEM 1. This v. resumes the subject of the paucity of population in Jerusalem: see Nehemiah 7:4. The rulers were already residing in the capital, and means were now taken to transport thither a proportion of the commons that had made their homes in the... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PROVINCE] i.e. Judæa: Ezra 5:8.... [ Continue Reading ]
AT JERUSALEM, etc.] The list that follows apparently enumerates the provincial families that removed to Jerusalem. It likewise occurs, with some variations in the names and figures, in 1 Chronicles 9:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
SECOND OVER THE CITY] presumably second to Joel: cp. Nehemiah 11:17. But some render, 'over the second quarter of the city': cp. 2 Kings 22:14; Zephaniah 1:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SON OF _one of_ THE GREAT MEN] RV 'the son of Haggedolim.'... [ Continue Reading ]
THE OUTWARD BUSINESS OF] Perhaps the judicial administration described in 2 Chronicles 19:8; 1 Chronicles 26:29.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Was_ THE PRINCIPAL, etc] i.e. led the praises of the Temple singers after prayer had been made. THE SECOND] i.e. to MATTANIAH: cp. Nehemiah 11:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
This v. interrupts the account of the residents at Jerusalem: it should precede Nehemiah 11:25.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE OVERSEER, etc.] RV 'The overseer.. the son of Micha, of the sons of Asaph, the singers, over the business,' etc. The words OVER THE BUSINESS are connected with OVERSEER. THE BUSINESS meant is the conduct of the Temple services.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR _it was,_ etc.] RM 'for there was a commandment.. and a sure ordinance concerning the singers': THE KING] Artaxerxes: cp. Ezra 7:24.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Was_ AT THE KING'S HAND] Possibly PETHAHIAH was a royal officer, subordinate to Nehemiah, having charge of civil, as distinct from ecclesiastical, matters.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE VILLAGES, WITH THEIR FIELDS] better, 'the villages in their fields,' i.e. the unwalled towns (Leviticus 25:31). Most of the names that follow occur in Joshua 15:13.... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM GEBA _dwelt_] RV '_dwelt_ from Geba _onward_.'... [ Continue Reading ]
THE VALLEY OF CRAFTSMEN] RM 'Gehaharashim,' another locality.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND OF THE LEVITES, etc] RV and of the Levites, certain courses in Judah' (i.e. formerly reckoned to Judah) '_were joined_ to Benjamin.'... [ Continue Reading ]