CHAPTER XII _Account of the priests and Levites that come up with_ _Zerubbabel_, 1-7. _Of the Levites_, 8-21. _The Levites in the days of Eliashib_, 22-26. _Of the dedication of the wall, and its ceremonies_, 27-43. _Different officers appointed_, 44-47. NOTES ON CHAP. XII Verse Nehemiah 12... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Nehemiah 12:7. _THE CHIEF OF THE PRIESTS_] They were _twenty-four_ orders or courses in number, all subordinate to each other; as established by David, 1 Chronicles 24:18. And these orders or courses were continued till the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans. See _Calmet_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Nehemiah 12:8. _OVER THE THANKSGIVING_] The principal singers: Nehemiah 11:17, Nehemiah 11:17.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 22. _JADDUA_] This was probably the high priest who went in his pontifical robes, accompanied by his brethren, to meet Alexander the Great, when he was advancing towards Jerusalem, with the purpose to destroy it, after having conquered Tyre and Gaza. Alexander was so struck with the appearance... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 23. _THE BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES_] This is not the book of _Chronicles_ which we have now, no such list being found in it; but some other book or register, which is lost.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 25. _THE THRESHOLDS OF THE GATES._] Some understand this of a sort of _porticoes_ at the gates, and are puzzled about it, because they find no mention of porticoes elsewhere: but why may we not suppose these to resemble our _watch-boxes_ or some temporary moveable shelters for those who took c... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 27. _AT THE DEDICATION OF THE WALL_] They sent for the Levites from all quarters, that this dedication might be as solemn and majestic as possible; and it is likely that this was done as soon as convenient after the walls were finished. The dedication seems to have consisted in processions of... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 29. _FROM THE HOUSE OF GILGAL, AND OUT OF THE FIELDS OF_ _GEBA AND AZMAVETH_] Or, from Beth-Gilgal; a village erected in the place where the Israelites encamped after they had, under the direction of Joshua, passed over Jordan.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 30. _THE PRIESTS AND THE LEVITES PURIFIED THEMSELVES_] This consisted in washings, abstinence from wine, and other matters, which, on all other occasions, were lawful. And as to the purifying of the _gates_ and the _walls_, nothing was requisite but to remove all filth from the former, and all... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 31. _THEN I BROUGHT UP THE PRINCES_] Perhaps this verse should be read thus: "Then I caused the princes of Judah to go upon the wall, and appointed two great choirs, [to sing praises,] and _two_ processions, one on the right hand, c. The following seems to have been the order of the processio... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 38. _THE BROAD WALL_] What part this was, we know not: it might have been a place designed for a _public promenade_, or a _parade_ for assembling the troops or guard of the temple.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Nehemiah 12:47. _ALL ISRAEL - GAVE THE PORTIONS OF THE SINGERS_] The _singers_ and the _porters_ were supported by the _people at large_; and each of these had their portions served out to them _daily_. _AND THEY SANCTIFIED - UNTO THE LEVITES_] The things which were provided for _sacred uses_... [ Continue Reading ]