Nehemiah 7

Chap. VIL. Ver. 1—73. The work completed by Nehemiah.— The active servants of God, and of his church, will never want employment; for the completion of one design will make way for the commencement of another.—The fear of God ould possessing the heart, produces proportionable fideity and conscientiousness in a man’s whole character and conduct: and it is — for the community when men of this character have the charge of public affairs.—‘ Except the Lonrp keep the city,” the walls are built, and “the watchmen wake in vain:” yet in this and all other concerns, God is to be trusted in the use of prudent and proper means, and not to be tempted by the neglect of them.—Magistrates and ministers have more extensive charges than others: but every man ought to watch over his own heart, and his own house, that sin, the worst enemy, may be kept at a distance as much as possible.—Provision 1s made in the gospel, and in the city of our God, for immensely greater numbers than have yet been enrolled citizens: we should therefore be devising means for replenishing it with inhabitants, as well as for Fain its walls.—“ All holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works are from God:”

to him belongs the praise: when good thoughts are suggested; we should be careful not to ‘quench the Spint,” by reiecting them; and we ought condiinally to pray that our God would put more and more of them intv our hearts, and enable us to bring them to good effect; and that he would do the same for increasing numbers. Then we might hope that many would concur in designs, as yet scarcely thought of, for propagating the gospel and promoting the salvation of souls.—The Lord lelighta to honour those who willingly face danger, and endure hardship for his sake’ and he knows the names of all his people, and will produce the register at last. But wo be to those who turn brek from him, loving this present world: and happy they who willingly com2 to dedicate themselves, and consecrate their substance to hs service and glory !—Scott.

Ezra and his brethren read und

Notes on the verses

Chap. VIL. Ver. 3. Until the sun be hot.—[That is, the gates were not to be opened till sun-rise, and to be shut at sun-set; whichis still the custom many cities of the East. If a traveller arrives after sun-set, he finds the gates shut, and on no consideration will they open them till morning.]—Bagster. Ver. 33. Men of the other Nebo.—‘The word “other” is wanted in many 88 Compare (Ezra 2:29) Ver. 51. Phaseah.—[This variation only exists in the translation; the oyiginal being uniformly Paseah.)—Bagster,: Ver. 66. The whole congregation.—** In this genealogy it is remarkable, i the 1765 reckoned in Nehemiah, and to the if we add to the 29,818 in Ezra, 31,039 enumerated in Nehemiah, 494, the overplus in Ezra not noticed by Nehemiah the accounts will correspond: as thus, Number in Ezra..

29,818 | Number in Nehemiah. 31,089 Add trom Nehemiah 1,765 | Surplus in Ezra - 494 31,583 31,583 Then 10,777 supposed to be of the other tribes, will make the full number of 22.360."—Dr. Gray. Ver. 67. Singing men and women.—Here are forty-five more than in the other list, Ezra ti. 65; for which we cannot account. Ver. 69. [Here Jerome. adds, in the Vulgate, tend which were written in the register; wh of Nehemiah.” This addition is not found in the it is also wanting in the Paris and Complutensian Polyglotts; but is sion: 4 Y What follows, however, seems to found in the Editio Prima of the Vulgate. relate to a distinct oblation from that recorded in Ezra; and was probably mode after the people were recistered by Nehemiah, who was the Tirshatha, or governor, at this time, as Zerubbabel had been i"

at the first return of the Jews from captivity. ]—Bugster. Ver, 70. A thousand drams.—Persian Darics, (worth $5 59 each.) This was governor who received no salary, ch. v. 14, 15. a very generous donation for a h this is not specified by Ezra, his total is much larger, and probably insums given before the arrival of Nehemiah. for the purpose of ascertaining the Ver. 73.. Dwelt in their cities.—(It was consequently the different cities, villages, &c. which bedifferent families, and them, according to the ancient division of the lund, that the public longed to registers were examined. |—Bagster. The water-gate.—This was on the east side of the city.