Nehemiah 12

Nehemiah 12:1

H. Tabulation of Jerusalem’s Priests and Levites (12:1-26)The priests . . . who returned with Zerubbabel are named in verses 1-7. The Levites who came back are listed in verses 8 and 9. Verses 10 and 11 name the high priests from Jeshua (in the days of Zerubbabel, v. 1), until Jaddua. In verses 12-21 we have the priests who served in the days of Joiakim, whose son Eliashib was the high priest in Nehemiah’s day (Neh_3:1). Most of them were probably still alive. The Levites were registered under succeeding high priests from Eliashib until Jaddua. The men mentioned by name in verses 24-26 served before and during Nehemiah’s administration as governor.

Nehemiah 12:27

I. Dedication of Jerusalem’s Wall (12:27-47)12:27-30 For the dedication of the wall, the Levites (particularly the singers) from the surrounding areas were brought to Jerusalem. The priests and Levites ceremonially purified themselves along with the people, the wall, and the gates. 12:31-42 Then Nehemiah assembled the princes of Judah . . . on the wall and divided them into two large thanksgiving choirs. They headed in different directions around the wall, with the singers in front and the people following behind their leaders until they met again at the temple. 12:43-46 Great sacrifices were offered amid loud rejoicing. At the same time some men were appointed to oversee the collection of the offerings, the firstfruits, and the tithes for the support of the priests and Levites, as required by the law. The people contributed joyfully because they were happy to have the divine services resumed. The priests and Levites performed their duties of worship and purification. The singers and . . . gatekeepers also carried on their assigned tasks, tasks that, as far as the singers were concerned, dated back to the time of David and Asaph. 12:47 In the days of Zerubbabel and . . . Nehemiah, the people provided all that was necessary for the support of the singers, gatekeepers, Levites, and priests.