XI. (1, 2) The history reverts to Nehemiah 7:5; lots are cast for the transfer of one-tenth of the people to the capital. (1) AND THE RULERS. — The narrative joins on to Nehemiah 7:4. The festival month had prevented the immediate carrying out of the governor’s purpose. THE REST OF THE PEOPLE. —... [ Continue Reading ]
OF THE PROVINCE. — This betrays the hand of Nehemiah, who was still a Persian official as well as a governor of Judah; and it shows that here we have a general heading for the rest of the chapter. Both city and country are included in the rest of the verse. ISRAEL. — The two Israelitish tribes were... [ Continue Reading ]
PEREZ. — In 1 Chronicles 9 the descendants of Perez (or Phares) are not given; but the descendants of Zerah, present there, are absent here. This may be a question of the right reading of the text.... [ Continue Reading ]
(4-19) The heads in Jerusalem: as compared with 1 Chronicles 9, by no means complete. Judah and Benjamin are represented, with priests and Levites and porters.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SON OF SHILONI. — Better, _the Shilonite,_ or _descendants of Shelah,_ youngest son of Judah.... [ Continue Reading ]
The Benjamites were represented by two families, and gave the city two prefects (Nehemiah 11:9).... [ Continue Reading ]
This should be read _Jedaiah, Joiarib, Jachin,_ three priestly families (1 Chronicles 9:10).... [ Continue Reading ]
SERAIAH. — The high-priestly family name. Eliashib was the present occupant.... [ Continue Reading ]
OF VALOUR. — Able for the service of God’s house: _men of ability,_ therefore. THE SON OF ONE OF THE GREAT MEN. — Rather, _son of Haggedolim. _... [ Continue Reading ]
OUTWARD BUSINESS. — This is a remarkable specification of the functions of the Lévites, parallel with the “valour” of the priests just before. The preceding chapter explains the “outward business.”... [ Continue Reading ]
AN HUNDRED SEVENTY AND TWO. — In 1 Chronicles 9 the number is 212. The difference between the two accounts may partly be explained by the fact that in the Chronicles the list is confined to those who came with Zerubbabel, while here addition is made of those who came with Ezra. But see the commentar... [ Continue Reading ]
(20-36) The heads in the country.... [ Continue Reading ]
OPHEL. — The Nethinims on the promontory of Ophel were either within or without the city, according as the one wall or the other was taken. Here they are regarded as outside.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE OVERSEER. — _Pakid,_ or _visitor._ OF THE SONS OF ASAPH. — It requires no disturbance of the original to read the whole of Uzzi’s pedigree: “the son of Micha, of the sons of Asaph, the singers in the service of the house of God.” Thus with the prayer of Nehemiah 11:17 there is a parallel.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE KING’S COMMANDMENT. — It seems that Artaxerxes had gone beyond the exemption of Ezra 7:24, and given them a daily allowance, which it was the business of Uzzi to see to.... [ Continue Reading ]
OF THE CHILDREN OF ZERAH. — This makes the absence of Zerah in the beginning of the chapter very remarkable, and suggests some accidental omission. AT THE KING’S HAND. — Pethahiah was the king’s agent in all the country matters of the “province.”... [ Continue Reading ]
The children of Judah are now described very generally with respect to their distribution. KIRJATH-ARBA. — Hebron no longer, the ancient name being now recovered. IN THE VILLAGES THEREOF. — Literally, _the daughters thereof;_ being a different word from the “villages” at the beginning.... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM BEER-SHEBA UNTO THE VALLEY OF HINNOM. — The men of Judah spread from the extreme south to the extreme north of Judah, an extent of some fifty miles.... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM GEBA. — This verse should read: _the children also of Benjamin dwelt from Geba to Michmash. _... [ Continue Reading ]
AND OF THE LEVITES. — The fewness of the Levites in the country warranted their summary notice in this way.... [ Continue Reading ]