Nehemiah 12
PATof Lod and Ono before in the first book of Chronicles. (See chap. viii. 12.) 711 v [Ci/ap. ±ni. and offered sacrifices, as it here follows. Where all the people walked it is not certain, but only that half of them went with Neliemiah upon the w"all; the rest, it is likely, walking below, because the wall could n6t contain them, Vfcr. 41. And the priests; Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Michaiah, Elibenai, Zethariah, and Hananiali, with trumpets. Vet. 42. And Maaseiah, and Shemaiah, and Eleazar, and Uzzi, and Jehohanan, and Malchijah,and Elam, afid Ezer: iind the singers sang loud, with Jezraldah their overseer.] It floth not appear that thfcy sounded the trumpets or sang while they were in the procession, but the song and the music began when they came to the house of God. )V0 for it is to be understood of marrying with them, as I iiave shewn in the explication of that law.
Nehemiah 12:1
\JN that day they read-in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever.] This was not done upon the day of the dedication of the wall of the city, but upon some day after JNehemiah was returned to Jerusalem from Persia, whither he went to wait upon the king, (ver. 6.) For it is’not likely that the people, who were so well affected to the ministers of God, as we read in the foregoing chapter^ should so soOn forget and neglect them; or that those who were appointed to look after their concerns, (chap. xii. 44.) should be turned out of their office immediately, or lay aside all care of them: for it is apparent, from ver. 10. of this chapter, their dues were not paid them when Nchcmiah was not there to look after them. But when he was returned, all this was amended, and other abuses corrected: he continuing the public reading of the law, at stated times, probably on the great festivals, when all the people met together, (such as those mentioned chap, viii.) upon some day of which that portion of Scripture was read, in Dcut. xxiii. 3. w T hich forbids the admission of the Ammonites and Moabitcs into the congregation of the Lord; the meaning whereof see in my annotations there. I will only add here, that they who by the congregation of God, in this place, Understand the public assemblies for Divine worship, arc very much mistaken: for no man, of aiiy nation, was forbidden to come and pray to God at the temple, but men of every nation, who would become proselytes, were admitted into their communion;’ and if they would be circumciscd> had like privileges with all other Israelites, even to eat the passover, (Exod. xii. 48, 49.) They therefore, that think the meaning is, they should be excluded from all public Offices, interpret it better: but that is not the truth neither;
Nehemiah 12:2
Because they met not the children of Israel with brzad and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he sltould curse them: howbeit our God turned tJie curse into a blessing. See upon Deut. xxiii. 4, 5.
Nehemiah 12:3
Shechaniah, Rehum, Meremoth. The first of these is called Shebahiah, ver. 14. and the other two, in ver. 15. are called Harim and Meraioth. Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.] Who were born of strangers, whom (he law would not allow to partake of the rites of marriage with Israelites.
Nehemiah 12:4
IddOy Ginnetho, Abijah. The second 6f these is called Ginnethon, ver. 16. which is a small difference. And Abijah was the head of the course of priests from whom Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, sprung, as Bertram thinks, de Rep. Jud. cap. 18. p. 311. And before this.] That is, before this separation wtts made. JSliashib the priest.] There were several of this name in those times, and some of them priests, (Ezra x. 6. 24. 26. 37.) But this seems to have been the high-priest, mentioned chap. iii. 1. for his family was much corrupted, as appears from ver. 28. of this chapter. Having the oversight of the chamber of tlie house of our God.] Here the singular number is used for the plural; for he had not the oversight of one chamber only, but of all the chambers, as the following verses, 5. 9. shew. But this may seem to indicate, that Eliashib was “not high-priest, it being below him to be set over the chamber (as the plirase is in the Hebrew), though the high-priest, no doubt, had an inspection over them all. Was allied unto Tobiah.] An Ammonite, as he is often called in this book; with whom he ought to have contracted no affinity, by suffering his grandson to marry with Sanballat’s daughter; who was the fast friend of Tobiah, and the great enemy of the Jews, We read also in Ezra that several of the priests had married strange wives; and among the rest, some of the sons of the high-priest are therementioncd.
Nehemiah 12:5
Miamin, Maadiah, Bilgah. The first of these is called Miniamin, and the next Moadiah, ver. 17. which are likewise very small variations. - > Ver.. 6. Shemaiah, and Joiarib, Jedaiah. And he Jutd prepared for him a great chamber.] By breaking down the partitions, it is likely, between several little chambers, where holy things were laid, he prepared one great room for his reception. Where aforetime they laid the meat-offerings, tlie frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil (which was commanded to be given to the JLevites, and the singers, and the porters), and the offerings of the priests.] All the ofFerings that belonged to the ministers of God (and the vessels wherewith they ministered), which there had been great care taken should be brought into these chambers, (the latter end of chap, x,) were now all profanely thrown out to make room for this man.
Nehemiah 12:6
But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem. They took this boldness in Nehemiah’s absence; and were the more audacious, because many of the nobles of Judah (itis likely) favoured this Tobiah, and were his friends, as Ihey had been heretofore, (chap. vi. 17, 18.) * jFor in the two-dnd-thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king.] He was governor twelve years in this province; but did not continue all that time in Judea: for he sometimes stepped to Babylon, to give an account of his management to the king, who, it is likely (as I before observed), would not dispense with so long an absence from. his attendance to his office. at court. (See upon chap. ii. 6. v. 41.) And after certain days.] In the Hebrew the words are at the end ofdaysi that is, at the end of the year. For so the word jamim [days] often signifies in Scripture, Exod. xiii. 10. Lev. xxv. 29. (Sec below, ver. 15.) Obtained I leave of the king.] To return to Jerusalem: from whence, it is probable, he heard of the forenamed digorders, and therefore once more begged leave to go ^hither, that he might redress them.
Nehemiah 12:7
Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. The first of these is called Sallai, ver. 20.. • Tliese were the chief of the priests.] Heads of the courses of the priests which David instituted; and were restored after their return from captivity, though as yet not so many as they had been before. (See Ezra vi. 18.) And of their brethren, in the days of Jeshua.] Who was the high-priest at the return from captivity. The meaning seems to be, that they were not only heads of all those who were under them, but the chief of the heads, who, were properly their brethren..* •.. And I came to Jerusalem, and understood of tlie evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah.] He was fully informed what evil had been committed, before he went about to reform it. In preparing him a chamber in the courts of the. house of God.] In the court of the Israelites, which was a sacred place, into which no stranger might enter*
Nehemiah 12:8
Moreover the Levites i Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, which was over the thanksgiving, he and his brethren. They were appointed to see the psalm of thanksgiving sang every morning and evening at the burnt-sacrifice. . \ ^” And it grieved me sore; therefore I cast forth all the household-stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber.] His indignation was raised, as well as his sorrow, to see such -a profanation: first, in bringing a stranger into the place where only Israelites were to come; and he an Ammonite, one of the worst of the strange nations, and a greater enemy of the Jews than many of the Ammonites; for whose sake he had removed the holy things, and put Tobiah in their place, who brought his household-stuff along with him; and all this done by the high-priest, who ought to Jiavc opposed such,an attempt, and, indeed, was the only man that could Jiave hindered it, till Nehemiah came, whose authority, as governor under the king of Persia, was superior to his;, by which he threw all his goods out of the chamber, and forced him also to depart. Here is no mention of his reprehending Eliashib, which is an argument, that he died after Nehemiah went from Jerusalem.
Nehemiah 12:9
Also Bakbukiah and Unni, their brethren, were over against them in the watches. That is, these ministered in their courses as the others did, and kept their stations over against them in their turns of attendance, which are called their watches, or wards. (See ver. 24.) Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers; and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat-offering and the frankincense.] He gave order, that the chambers, which had been thus profaned, should be restored to their former. sanctity by the water of purification, mentioned in the nineteenth of NumbersI; whereby things, as well as persons, were cleansed from their impurities. And when the chambers were thus prepared, he brought in again all the vessels, and other things, (mentioned ver. 5.) which had been thrown out to make room for Tobiah.
Nehemiah 12:10
And Jeshua begat Joiakim, Joiakim also begat Eliashib, and Eliashib begat Joiada. And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them. For either the people did not pay them well, when they saw they were not laid up for their proper use in the place appointed, or Eliashib employed them for the entertainment of Tobiah; which he might as well do, as bring him into the sacred place: into which when they were not brought, the people, not knowing what became of them, might keep them to themselves.. (See Bishop Montague, of Tithes, p. 347.) For the Levites and the singers that did the work were fled every one to his field.] This made those that attended the service at Jerusalem forsake the city, and betake themselves to their country concerns, where they might make provision for the sustenance of their families. And, indeed, it is a great artifice of the devil, as Wolfius here observes, by his instruments to defraud the ministers of religion of their necessary maintenance, that he may thereby abolish religion itself.
Nehemiah 12:11
And Joiada begat Jonathan, and Jonathan begat Jaddua. In these two verses is an account of the succession of the high-priests, from the return of the captivity till the time that. they began to bear the greatest sway in the Jewish nation.’ For this Jaddua is commonly thought to be that Jaddus the high-priest who went to nleet Alexander th6 Great, in his.pontifical habit, as he came from the conquest of Tyre and Gaza,- and procured great privileges for the Jewish nation. Now this being grantedi the Scripture history ends, as Grotius observes, where the very light of times (as he speaks), that is, the affairs of Alexander, begins: from which time all things in history are’ clear, the affairs of the Jews being recorded by.many Greek writers (several of whom are now perished), as appears by St. Jerome upon. Daniel. * Then contended I with the rulers, and said.] He earnestly expostulated with them, and reproved them.. Wliy is the house of God forsaken?] There was no account to be given of it, but the negligence of the magistrates; whom he awakens to their duty, by representing to
Nehemiah 12:12
And in • the days of Joiakim were priests* the chief of the fathers: of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah. r -; r'.
Nehemiah 12:13
OfEzra,Meshidlam,&c. As he had mentioned those who were chief of the priests’in the days of Jeshua, so now ho thinks fit to mention the sons of every one of them who officiated in the days of Joiakim the son of Jeshua, either as assistants to their fathers, or succeeding them w^hen they were dead. He begins with those three named ver. ]. and so proceeds, in order to give an account of the rest, which Teaches to ver. 22. and need not be transcribed. T
Nehemiah 12:20
Also from the house of Gilgal, and out of the fields of Geba and Azmaveth. These were the places where they had settled their habitations; from whence, upon Nehemiah’s summons, they came to be present and assist at this solemnity. For the singers had builded them villages round about Jerusalem.] That they might be the more ready to attend the service of God, when there should be occasion. Vcr. 30. And the priests and the Levites purified themselves.] With certain ablutions and expiations, that especially which is mentioned in Numb. xix. where a water of separation is prescribed to purify all uncleanness, ver. 9, &c. which is called the water of purifying, Numb, viii. 7. And purified the people, and the gates, and the wall.] By sprinkling, I suppose, the same water upon them, and by prayers, and sacrifices. ^
Nehemiah 12:22
TJie Levites, in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, and JoJtanan, (called Jonathan, ver. 11.) and Jaddna, were recorded chief of the fathers; also the priests, to the reign of Darius the Persian.] This is thought by many to be that Darius whom Alexander conquered,, till whose time there were records kept of the principal families of the Levites, in the days of those four high-priests, as well as of the priests already mentioned.
Nehemiah 12:23
The son’s of Levi, the chief of the fathers, were written in the book of the Chronicles, even until the days of Johanan the son of Eliashib. As there had been a register of them in the public records before that time from Jeshua to Johanan. Some think this refers to 1 Chron. ix. 14, &c. Ver. 24: And the chief of the Levites: Ilashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brethren over against them, to praise and to give thanks, according to the commandment of David the man of God.] These were particularly appointed for this, office, which was of great importance.,? Ward over against ward.] In their turns, one coming on when another w r ent out,, to attend in their courses, which are called wards.
Nehemiah 12:25
Mattaniah, and Bakbukiah, Ohadiah, Meshitllam, Talmon, Akkub, were porters, keeping the ward at the thresholds of the gates. Of the house of God, where they attended and performed their office; or, as some will have it, at the treasuries, as in the margin of our Bibles.'
Nehemiah 12:26
Tliese tvere in the days ofJoiakim the son of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor y and of Ezra the priest, the scribe. It is impossible to give a certain account why these are so. particularly registered in this book; but we may be sure there was some great reason for it in those days: perhaps, that it might demonstrate their car&to employ the best men in all offices for whichthey were fit; and that they took special care to preserve a faithful, record of those who were to serve God as his ministers, as, long. as they were a nation; which they have not a long time been, and so all distinctions among them are confounded. Ver.;27. And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep tlte dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps.] As Solomon and all the children of Israel dedicated the house of the Lord when it. was built, (of which see 1 Kings yiii. 2 Chron. vii.) so now. Nehemiah, having set things in good order, thought it meet to dedicate the city, whose wall was built, and gates set up, (ver. 30.) as a place in which God had chosen to dwell, by settling his house here. And therefore they assembled to beseech his blessing and protection upon this city; which being made strong, and well defended, they hoped, to serve. God in his house there with greater quietness and security. The Jewish doctors are of opinion, that the oracle being wanting in the temple, this dedication gave no new sanctity, but only restored it to the old;.for it was still the holy city, as it is called twice in the foregoing chapter of this book,, chap. xi. 1. 18. See Selden, lib. iii. de Synedriis, cap. 13. sect. 6. where he observes, that it being said’here it was dedicated with a song (for so it is in the Hebrew), there was some particular song of dedication, which had been formerly used, which was now sung upon this occasion. And some think, that ever after this time they made a yearly commemoration of this dedication, as they conceive there was of Solomon’s dedication of the temple. For the heathen, who imitated the Jews (whose temple Solomon built two hundred and sixty-three years before Rome was built), were wont so to do. But Selden thinks Hospinianus rightly judges, that the Maccabees kept the first anniversary dedication, chap.,14. sect. 7. and upon another account. Vcr. 28. And the sons of the singers gathered themselves together, both out of the plain country round about Jerusaletn, and from the villages of Netophathi.
Nehemiah 12:31
TJien I broughfvp the princes ofJudah tipon the wall, and appointed two great companies of them tJiat gave thanks. So’the LXX. translate the^Hcbrew words shethe tothoth gedoloth, $io 7repl alvlcriuyQ fizya\ovg,.two great for praise; that is, two great choirs, as the Vulgar translates it,’ t which most versions follow. But our great Selden thinks the words should be translated; two eucharistical sacrifices, prepared for the altars, which were proper to the present business. The Spanish Jews translate the words, two grand processions, (lib; iii. de Syned. cap. 13. sect. 6. p. 210. and see Dr. Hammond upon Psal. xxiv. annot. p. 139.), Wliereofone went on the right hand upon the wall toivards the duiig-gate.]. We add those words, wliereofone, because of the other mentioned ver. 38. but in the Hebrew the words are, going oh the right, &c*
Nehemiah 12:32
And after them went Hoshaiah, and half of the princes of Judah.'
Nehemiah 12:33
, And Azariah, Ezra, and Meshullam. Not Ezra the scribe, who was in a more honourable place, (ver; 36.)
Nehemiah 12:34
Judah, and Benjamin, and Shemaiah,and Jeremiah, i
Nehemiah 12:35
And certain of the priests’ sons with trumpets; namely, Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, thesonofMattaniah; the son ofMichaiah, the son of Zac-> cur, the son of Asaph.:. Ver; 36. Arid his brethren, Shemaiah, and Azarael, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethaneel, and Judah, Hanani, with the musical instruments of, David the man of God, and Ezra the scribe before them.] They, in this verse and the former, were priests; and therefore Ezra, who was an eminent, priest, led them up at the head of them.. **
Nehemiah 12:36
And of the Levites were divisions in Judah, and in Benjamin. The rest of the Levitcs who were not settled at Jerusalem were distributed among the people of Judah and Benjamin, who dwelt in the forenamed towns, whom they taught.and instructed in religion and good manners. We read also 1 Chron. ix. 3. that some of the children of Ephraim and Manasseh dwelt at Jerusalem; but, I suppose, they were so few, that they are not here remembered; or, perhaps, they removed to some other place when Jerusalem continued without walls; j!»’.’ CHAP. XII. lir;.- “’ * r’ -Ver. 1. 1M OW these are the priests and the Levites that ivent rip with ZerubbabU the son ofShealtiel,and Jeshua.] The chief of the priests, as they are called vet. 7. whom he thought fit to mention here, because he intended to de* scribe the dedication and consecration of the city, where the ministry of the priests, and Levites was to be employed, ui •’..ur/ wj v \ i., * Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra.’] If this was the same Ezra that wrote the foregoing book, or part of it, then he went back to’ Babylon after his coming up to Jerusalem with’Zerubbabel, and came again instructed with a large power in the seventh year of Artaxeirxes: btit there are, many reasons to prove he was’not the same. Ver.-2. Amariah, Malluth, Hattash.] He that is.‘here called Malluch is called Melicii, ver. 14. and such differences are in some of the following names, which are repeated ver. 15, 16, &c. It being common aniong the Jews (as I have noted upon the book of Chronicles) to vary in the pronunciation of names, and sometimes to give two names..
Nehemiah 12:37
And at the fountain-gate,’ which was over against them, they went up by the stairs of the city of David. See chap. iii. 15/ *.. •: •> At the going up of the wall, above the house of David, even unto the water-gate eastward.
Nehemiah 12:38
And the other company of them that gave thanks* went over against them, and I after them, and the half of the people upon the wall, from beyond the tower of the furnaces, even unto the broad wall;
Nehemiah 12:39
And from above the gate of Ephraim, andabove> the old gate, and above the fish-gate, and the tower ofHananeel, and the tower of Meah, even unto the sheep-gate:, and they stood still iri the prison-gate. Vcr. 40. So stood the tivo companies of them that gave, thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the Rulers, with me.] The great man beforementioned. translates tho first words, So stood the’ two eucharistical sacrifices in the house of God. The order wherein they thus marched, in a pompous manner, round about. the. city, now seems a little obscure: but the sense of the whole description is this; That they being met together in the same place, half of the rulers wentuppn the wall on the right hand, accompanied with several priests and Levites, and Ezra the scribe at the head qf them, (ver- 36.) and the other half took the left hand, and walked upon the wall in the sfunc order, accompanied with Nehemiah, who brought up the rear of them, (ver. 38.) and at length both parts of this chorus met in the temple; and’there they stood still, and completed their praises and thanksgivings, 4 Y2
Nehemiah 12:43
Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced. Feasting, I suppose, upon the eucharistical sacrifices which were then offered. -For God had made them rejoice with great joy. 2 By re^ storing thfc holy city to sufcha secure condition, that they praised the Lord there without fear of disturbance. Tlie wives also dnd the children rejoiced.’] It was an universal joJ\ So that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off.] The singers sang with such loud voices, and had so many loud instruments, the women and children also shouting, that they might be heard at a great distance: or, the meaning may be, that (he report of it was spread into fir^distant countries. • -
Nehemiah 12:44
And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them, out of the fields of the cities, the portions of the law for the priests and Levites.] By the treasures, he means those places where the oblations, first-fruits, tithes, (which they had promised to j*ay duly, chap. x. 31, &c.) were laid up, and preserved for tho-usc of the priests and Levites. Of which, that they might not be defrauded, a certain officer was at this time appblntefl, to see they were brought in according to the l&w, and to take care that every one had his portion. JForJudah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that xbaited.] They Were so glad to see such agteat concourse of them, (ver. 27, &c.) and that they performed their duty upon this occasion to the general satisfaction of all that were present, that their hearts were enlarged in love to them, which moved them to take care they should never want the provision appointed by God for them.
Nehemiah 12:45
And both -the singers and the porters kept the Ward of their God, and the ward of the purification.*. These and other niinistcrs (who dlso were Levites) did their duty sd carefully, that they were much in the people’s favour. Fbr the singers kept the tvard of their God, that is, sang orderly in their courses, and praised God; and the porters kept the ward of purification, that is, duly observed the drdcrs about purification, in not suffering any unclean pcr- Soh or unclean thing to come into the house of God. According to the commandment of David, and of Solomon his son.’] Who had regulated all things belonging to the duty of these peffeoris. (See 1 Chron.Xxv. xxvi.)
Nehemiah 12:46
For in the days of David and Asaph of old (here were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanks giving unto God.* There were other famous men joined with Agaph, viz. Hcman and Jcduthun; but he was the principal person whohi David empl6ycd in this regulation. And this verse gives the reason Ivhy the Levites and the singers performed their ddty so accurately; because, from the tim6 of David, who Constituted their ordcts and offices, there were sofne great men who presided over them, and were careful both to instruct then* in their duty, and keep thetn to it.
Nehemiah 12:47
And all Israel, in the days Of Zerubbabel, and in the days ofNehemiah, gdve the portions of the singers and the porters every day hispdrtion. Those men that wen* appointed to look after the treasures, mentioned ver. 44. did their duty so well, that these inferibt officers, much less the rest of the Levites and priests, iievef wanted what was due unto them, but had it evety day while Zerubbabel and Nehemiah governed. And they sanctified hdly things ufitd the Levites, and the Levites sanctified them iiritd the children 6f Aaron.] The people separated and feet hpvi.it the tenth part of their crop for the use of the Levites; and the Levites separated from their tithes the tenth part of them for their priests. For the people had no right to the tenth part, but it was holy, thrit is, to be separated from the test for God’s ministers, the Levites; and thfe LeVites had no right to the tenth paTt of their tithes which they had tcCeiVcd from the people, but it was to be get apart (which is called sanctified) for the children of Aaron, that is, ihe priests. CHAP. XHL