24 And the chief H7218 of the Levites: H3881 Hashabiah, H2811 Sherebiah, H8274 and Jeshua H3442 the son H1121 of Kadmiel, H6934 with their brethren H251 over against them, to praise H1984 and to give thanks, H3034 according to the commandment H4687 of David H1732 the man H376 of God, H430 ward H4929 over against H5980 ward. H4929
Moreover David H1732 and the captains H8269 of the host H6635 separated H914 to the service H5656 of the sons H1121 of Asaph, H623 and of Heman, H1968 and of Jeduthun, H3038 who should prophesy H5012 H5030 with harps, H3658 with psalteries, H5035 and with cymbals: H4700 and the number H4557 of the workmen H582 H4399 according to their service H5656 was: Of the sons H1121 of Asaph; H623 Zaccur, H2139 and Joseph, H3130 and Nethaniah, H5418 and Asarelah, H841 the sons H1121 of Asaph H623 under the hands H3027 of Asaph, H623 which prophesied H5012 according to the order H3027 of the king. H4428 Of Jeduthun: H3038 the sons H1121 of Jeduthun; H3038 Gedaliah, H1436 and Zeri, H6874 and Jeshaiah, H3470 Hashabiah, H2811 and Mattithiah, H4993 six, H8337 under the hands H3027 of their father H1 Jeduthun, H3038 who prophesied H5012 with a harp, H3658 to give thanks H3034 and to praise H1984 the LORD. H3068 Of Heman: H1968 the sons H1121 of Heman; H1968 Bukkiah, H1232 Mattaniah, H4983 Uzziel, H5816 Shebuel, H7619 and Jerimoth, H3406 Hananiah, H2608 Hanani, H2607 Eliathah, H448 Giddalti, H1437 and Romamtiezer, H7320 Joshbekashah, H3436 Mallothi, H4413 Hothir, H1956 and Mahazioth: H4238 All these were the sons H1121 of Heman H1968 the king's H4428 seer H2374 in the words H1697 of God, H430 to lift up H7311 the horn. H7161 And God H430 gave H5414 to Heman H1968 fourteen H702 H6240 sons H1121 and three H7969 daughters. H1323 All these were under the hands H3027 of their father H1 for song H7892 in the house H1004 of the LORD, H3068 with cymbals, H4700 psalteries, H5035 and harps, H3658 for the service H5656 of the house H1004 of God, H430 according to the king's H4428 order H3027 to Asaph, H623 Jeduthun, H3038 and Heman. H1968 So the number H4557 of them, with their brethren H251 that were instructed H3925 in the songs H7892 of the LORD, H3068 even all that were cunning, H995 was two hundred H3967 fourscore H8084 and eight. H8083 And they cast H5307 lots, H1486 ward H4931 against H5980 ward, as well the small H6996 as the great, H1419 the teacher H995 as the scholar. H8527 Now the first H7223 lot H1486 came forth H3318 for Asaph H623 to Joseph: H3130 the second H8145 to Gedaliah, H1436 who with his brethren H251 and sons H1121 were twelve: H8147 H6240 The third H7992 to Zaccur, H2139 he, his sons, H1121 and his brethren, H251 were twelve: H8147 H6240 The fourth H7243 to Izri, H3339 he, his sons, H1121 and his brethren, H251 were twelve: H8147 H6240 The fifth H2549 to Nethaniah, H5418 he, his sons, H1121 and his brethren, H251 were twelve: H8147 H6240 The sixth H8345 to Bukkiah, H1232 he, his sons, H1121 and his brethren, H251 were twelve: H8147 H6240 The seventh H7637 to Jesharelah, H3480 he, his sons, H1121 and his brethren, H251 were twelve: H8147 H6240 The eighth H8066 to Jeshaiah, H3470 he, his sons, H1121 and his brethren, H251 were twelve: H8147 H6240 The ninth H8671 to Mattaniah, H4983 he, his sons, H1121 and his brethren, H251 were twelve: H8147 H6240 The tenth H6224 to Shimei, H8096 he, his sons, H1121 and his brethren, H251 were twelve: H8147 H6240 The eleventh H6249 H6240 to Azareel, H5832 he, his sons, H1121 and his brethren, H251 were twelve: H8147 H6240 The twelfth H8147 H6240 to Hashabiah, H2811 he, his sons, H1121 and his brethren, H251 were twelve: H8147 H6240 The thirteenth H7969 H6240 to Shubael, H7619 he, his sons, H1121 and his brethren, H251 were twelve: H8147 H6240 The fourteenth H702 H6240 to Mattithiah, H4993 he, his sons, H1121 and his brethren, H251 were twelve: H8147 H6240 The fifteenth H2568 H6240 to Jeremoth, H3406 he, his sons, H1121 and his brethren, H251 were twelve: H8147 H6240 The sixteenth H8337 H6240 to Hananiah, H2608 he, his sons, H1121 and his brethren, H251 were twelve: H8147 H6240 The seventeenth H7651 H6240 to Joshbekashah, H3436 he, his sons, H1121 and his brethren, H251 were twelve: H8147 H6240 The eighteenth H8083 H6240 to Hanani, H2607 he, his sons, H1121 and his brethren, H251 were twelve: H8147 H6240 The nineteenth H8672 H6240 to Mallothi, H4413 he, his sons, H1121 and his brethren, H251 were twelve: H8147 H6240
And this is the blessing, H1293 wherewith Moses H4872 the man H376 of God H430 blessed H1288 the children H1121 of Israel H3478 before H6440 his death. H4194
Then the children H1121 of Judah H3063 came H5066 unto Joshua H3091 in Gilgal: H1537 and Caleb H3612 the son H1121 of Jephunneh H3312 the Kenezite H7074 said H559 unto him, Thou knowest H3045 the thing H1697 that the LORD H3068 said H1696 unto Moses H4872 the man H376 of God H430 concerning me H182 and thee H182 in Kadeshbarnea. H6947
And the woman H802 said H559 to Elijah, H452 Now by this H2088 I know H3045 that thou art a man H376 of God, H430 and that the word H1697 of the LORD H3068 in thy mouth H6310 is truth. H571
So when David H1732 was old H2204 and full H7646 of days, H3117 he made Solomon H8010 his son H1121 king H4427 over Israel. H3478 And he gathered together H622 all the princes H8269 of Israel, H3478 with the priests H3548 and the Levites. H3881 Now the Levites H3881 were numbered H5608 from the age H1121 of thirty H7970 years H8141 and upward: H4605 and their number H4557 by their polls, H1538 man by man, H1397 was thirty H7970 and eight H8083 thousand. H505 Of which, H428 twenty H6242 and four H702 thousand H505 were to set forward H5329 the work H4399 of the house H1004 of the LORD; H3068 and six H8337 thousand H505 were officers H7860 and judges: H8199 Moreover four H702 thousand H505 were porters; H7778 and four H702 thousand H505 praised H1984 the LORD H3068 with the instruments H3627 which I made, H6213 said David, to praise H1984 therewith. And David H1732 divided H2505 them into courses H4256 among the sons H1121 of Levi, H3878 namely, Gershon, H1648 Kohath, H6955 and Merari. H4847 Of the Gershonites H1649 were, Laadan, H3936 and Shimei. H8096 The sons H1121 of Laadan; H3936 the chief H7218 was Jehiel, H3171 and Zetham, H2241 and Joel, H3100 three. H7969 The sons H1121 of Shimei; H8096 Shelomith, H8019 H8013 and Haziel, H2381 and Haran, H2039 three. H7969 These were the chief H7218 of the fathers H1 of Laadan. H3936 And the sons H1121 of Shimei H8096 were, Jahath, H3189 Zina, H2126 and Jeush, H3266 and Beriah. H1283 These four H702 were the sons H1121 of Shimei. H8096 And Jahath H3189 was the chief, H7218 and Zizah H2125 the second: H8145 but Jeush H3266 and Beriah H1283 had not many H7235 sons; H1121 therefore they were in one H259 reckoning, H6486 according to their father's H1 house. H1004 The sons H1121 of Kohath; H6955 Amram, H6019 Izhar, H3324 Hebron, H2275 and Uzziel, H5816 four. H702 The sons H1121 of Amram; H6019 Aaron H175 and Moses: H4872 and Aaron H175 was separated, H914 that he should sanctify H6942 the most H6944 holy things, H6944 he and his sons H1121 for H5704 ever, H5769 to burn incense H6999 before H6440 the LORD, H3068 to minister H8334 unto him, and to bless H1288 in his name H8034 for H5704 ever. H5769 Now concerning Moses H4872 the man H376 of God, H430 his sons H1121 were named H7121 of the tribe H7626 of Levi. H3878 The sons H1121 of Moses H4872 were, Gershom, H1647 and Eliezer. H461 Of the sons H1121 of Gershom, H1647 Shebuel H7619 was the chief. H7218 And the sons H1121 of Eliezer H461 were, Rehabiah H7345 the chief. H7218 And Eliezer H461 had none other H312 sons; H1121 but the sons H1121 of Rehabiah H7345 were very H4605 many. H7235 Of the sons H1121 of Izhar; H3324 Shelomith H8019 the chief. H7218 Of the sons H1121 of Hebron; H2275 Jeriah H3404 the first, H7218 Amariah H568 the second, H8145 Jahaziel H3166 the third, H7992 and Jekameam H3360 the fourth. H7243 Of the sons H1121 of Uzziel; H5816 Michah H4318 the first, H7218 and Jesiah H3449 the second. H8145 The sons H1121 of Merari; H4847 Mahli, H4249 and Mushi. H4187 The sons H1121 of Mahli; H4249 Eleazar, H499 and Kish. H7027 And Eleazar H499 died, H4191 and had no sons, H1121 but daughters: H1323 and their brethren H251 the sons H1121 of Kish H7027 took H5375 them. The sons H1121 of Mushi; H4187 Mahli, H4249 and Eder, H5740 and Jeremoth, H3406 three. H7969 These were the sons H1121 of Levi H3878 after the house H1004 of their fathers; H1 even the chief H7218 of the fathers, H1 as they were counted H6485 by number H4557 of names H8034 by their polls, H1538 that did H6213 the work H4399 for the service H5656 of the house H1004 of the LORD, H3068 from the age H1121 of twenty H6242 years H8141 and upward. H4605 For David H1732 said, H559 The LORD H3068 God H430 of Israel H3478 hath given rest H5117 unto his people, H5971 that they may dwell H7931 in Jerusalem H3389 for ever: H5769 And also unto the Levites; H3881 they shall no more carry H5375 the tabernacle, H4908 nor any vessels H3627 of it for the service H5656 thereof. For by the last H314 words H1697 of David H1732 the Levites H3881 were numbered H4557 from twenty H6242 years H8141 old H1121 and above: H4605 Because their office H4612 was to wait H3027 on the sons H1121 of Aaron H175 for the service H5656 of the house H1004 of the LORD, H3068 in the courts, H2691 and in the chambers, H3957 and in the purifying H2893 of all holy things, H6944 and the work H4639 of the service H5656 of the house H1004 of God; H430 Both for the shewbread, H3899 H4635 and for the fine flour H5560 for meat offering, H4503 and for the unleavened H4682 cakes, H7550 and for that which is baked in the pan, H4227 and for that which is fried, H7246 and for all manner of measure H4884 and size; H4060 And to stand H5975 every morning H1242 to thank H3034 and praise H1984 the LORD, H3068 and likewise at even; H6153 And to offer H5927 all burnt sacrifices H5930 unto the LORD H3068 in the sabbaths, H7676 in the new moons, H2320 and on the set feasts, H4150 by number, H4557 according to the order H4941 commanded unto them, continually H8548 before H6440 the LORD: H3068 And that they should keep H8104 the charge H4931 of the tabernacle H168 of the congregation, H4150 and the charge H4931 of the holy H6944 place, and the charge H4931 of the sons H1121 of Aaron H175 their brethren, H251 in the service H5656 of the house H1004 of the LORD. H3068
And he appointed, H5975 according to the order H4941 of David H1732 his father, H1 the courses H4256 of the priests H3548 to their service, H5656 and the Levites H3881 to their charges, H4931 to praise H1984 and minister H8334 before the priests, H3548 as the duty H1697 of every day H3117 required: H3117 the porters H7778 also by their courses H4256 at every gate: H8179 for so had David H1732 the man H376 of God H430 commanded. H4687
The Levites: H3881 the children H1121 of Jeshua H3442 and Kadmiel, H6934 of the children H1121 of Hodaviah, H1938 seventy H7657 and four. H702
And when the builders H1129 laid the foundation H3245 of the temple H1964 of the LORD, H3068 they set H5975 the priests H3548 in their apparel H3847 with trumpets, H2689 and the Levites H3881 the sons H1121 of Asaph H623 with cymbals, H4700 to praise H1984 the LORD, H3068 after the ordinance H3027 of David H1732 king H4428 of Israel. H3478 And they sang together by course H6030 in praising H1984 and giving thanks H3034 unto the LORD; H3068 because he is good, H2896 for his mercy H2617 endureth for ever H5769 toward Israel. H3478 And all the people H5971 shouted H7321 with a great H1419 shout, H8643 when they praised H1984 the LORD, H3068 because the foundation H3245 of the house H1004 of the LORD H3068 was laid. H3245
Also Jeshua, H3442 and Bani, H1137 and Sherebiah, H8274 Jamin, H3226 Akkub, H6126 Shabbethai, H7678 Hodijah, H1941 Maaseiah, H4641 Kelita, H7042 Azariah, H5838 Jozabad, H3107 Hanan, H2605 Pelaiah, H6411 and the Levites, H3881 caused the people H5971 to understand H995 the law: H8451 and the people H5971 stood in their place. H5977
Then stood up H6965 upon the stairs, H4608 of the Levites, H3881 Jeshua, H3442 and Bani, H1137 Kadmiel, H6934 Shebaniah, H7645 Bunni, H1138 Sherebiah, H8274 Bani, H1137 and Chenani, H3662 and cried H2199 with a loud H1419 voice H6963 unto the LORD H3068 their God. H430
And the Levites: H3881 both Jeshua H3442 the son H1121 of Azaniah, H245 Binnui H1131 of the sons H1121 of Henadad, H2582 Kadmiel; H6934 And their brethren, H251 Shebaniah, H7645 Hodijah, H1941 Kelita, H7042 Pelaiah, H6411 Hanan, H2605 Micha, H4316 Rehob, H7340 Hashabiah, H2811 Zaccur, H2139 Sherebiah, H8274 Shebaniah, H7645 Hodijah, H1941 Bani, H1137 Beninu. H1148
And Mattaniah H4983 the son H1121 of Micha, H4316 the son H1121 of Zabdi, H2067 the son H1121 of Asaph, H623 was the principal H7218 to begin H8462 the thanksgiving H3034 in prayer: H8605 and Bakbukiah H1229 the second H4932 among his brethren, H251 and Abda H5653 the son H1121 of Shammua, H8051 the son H1121 of Galal, H1559 the son H1121 of Jeduthun. H3038
Moreover the Levites: H3881 Jeshua, H3442 Binnui, H1131 Kadmiel, H6934 Sherebiah, H8274 Judah, H3063 and Mattaniah, H4983 which was over the thanksgiving, H1960 he and his brethren. H251 Also Bakbukiah H1229 and Unni, H6042 their brethren, H251 were over against them in the watches. H4931
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Nehemiah 12
Commentary on Nehemiah 12 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 12
Ne 12:1-9. Priests and Levites Who Came Up with Zerubbabel.
1. these are the priests—according to Ne 12:7, "the chief of the priests," the heads of the twenty-four courses into which the priesthood was divided (1Ch 24:1-20). Only four of the courses returned from the captivity (Ne 7:39-42; Ezr 2:36-39). But these were divided by Zerubbabel, or Jeshua, into the original number of twenty-four. Twenty-two only are enumerated here, and no more than twenty in Ne 12:12-21. The discrepancy is due to the extremely probable circumstance that two of the twenty-four courses had become extinct in Babylon; for none belonging to them are reported as having returned (Ne 12:2-5). Hattush and Maadiah may be omitted in the account of those persons' families (Ne 12:12), for these had no sons.
Shealtiel—or Salathiel.
Ezra—This was most likely a different person from the pious and patriotic leader. If he were the same person, he would now have reached a very patriarchal age—and this longevity would doubtless be due to his eminent piety and temperance, which are greatly conducive to the prolongation of life, but, above all, to the special blessing of God, who had preserved and strengthened him for the accomplishment of the important work he was called upon to undertake in that critical period of the Church's history.
4. Abijah—one of the ancestors of John the Baptist (Lu 1:5).
9. their brethren, were over against them in the watches—that is, according to some, their stations—the places where they stood when officiating—"ward over against ward" (Ne 12:24); or, according to others, in alternate watches, in course of rotation.
Ne 12:10-47. Succession of the High Priests.
10. Jeshua begat Joiakim, &c.—This enumeration was of great importance, not only as establishing their individual purity of descent, but because the chronology of the Jews was henceforth to be reckoned, not as formerly by the reigns of their kings, but by the successions of their high priests.
11. Jaddua—It is an opinion entertained by many commentators that this person was the high priest whose dignified appearance, solemn manner, and splendid costume overawed and interested so strongly the proud mind of Alexander the Great; and if he were not this person (as some object that this Jaddua was not in office till a considerable period after the death of Nehemiah), it might probably be his father, called by the same name.
12. in the days of Joiakim were priests, the chief of the fathers—As there had been priests in the days of Jeshua, so in the time of Joiakim, the son and successor of Jeshua, the sons of those persons filled the priestly office in the place of their fathers, some of whom were still alive, though many were dead.
23. The sons of Levi … were written in the book of the chronicles—that is, the public registers in which the genealogies were kept with great regularity and exactness.
27-43. at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem—This ceremony of consecrating the wall and gates of the city was an act of piety on the part of Nehemiah, not merely to thank God in a general way for having been enabled to bring the building to a happy completion, but especially because that city was the place which He had chosen. It also contained the temple which was hallowed by the manifestation of His presence, and anew set apart to His service. It was on these accounts that Jerusalem was called "the holy city," and by this public and solemn act of religious observance, after a long period of neglect and desecration, it was, as it were, restored to its rightful proprietor. The dedication consisted in a solemn ceremonial, in which the leading authorities, accompanied by the Levitical singers, summoned from all parts of the country, and by a vast concourse of people, marched in imposing procession round the city walls, and, pausing at intervals to engage in united praises, prayer, and sacrifices, supplicated the continued presence, favor, and blessing on "the holy city." "The assembly convened near Jaffa Gate, where the procession commences. Then (Ne 12:31) I brought up the princes of Judah upon the wall (near the Valley Gate), and appointed two great companies of them that gave thanks, whereof one went on the right hand upon the wall towards the dung gate (through Bethzo). And after them went Hoshaiah, and half of the princes of Judah. And (Ne 12:37) at the fountain gate, which was over against them, they (descending by the Tower of Siloam on the interior, and then reascending) went up by the stairs of the city of David, at the going up of the wall, above the house of David, even unto the water gate eastward (by the staircase of the rampart, having descended to dedicate the fountain structures). And the other company of them that gave thanks went over against them (both parties having started from the junction of the first and second walls), 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 (beyond the corner gate). And from above the gate of Ephraim, and above the old gate (and the gate of Benjamin), and above the fish gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Meah, even unto the sheep gate; and they stood still in the prison gate (or high gate, at the east end of the bridge). So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God, and I, and half of the rulers with me (having thus performed the circuit of the investing walls), and arrived in the courts of the temple" [Barclay, City of the Great King].
43. the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off—The events of the day, viewed in connection with the now repaired and beautified state of the city, raised the popular feeling to the highest pitch of enthusiasm, and the fame of their rejoicings was spread far and near.
44. portions of the law—that is, "prescribed by the law."
for Judah rejoiced for the priests and … Levites that waited—The cause of this general satisfaction was either the full restoration of the temple service and the reorganized provision for the permanent support of the ministry, or it was the pious character and eminent gifts of the guardians of religion.
45. the singers and the porters kept … the ward of the purification—that is, took care that no unclean person was allowed to enter within the precincts of the sacred building. This was the official duty of the porters (2Ch 23:19), with whom, owing to the pressure of circumstances, it was deemed expedient that the singers should be associated as assistants.
47. all Israel … sanctified holy things unto the Levites,—&c. The people, selecting the tithes and first-fruits, devoted them to the use of the Levites, to whom they belonged by appointment of the law. The Levites acted in the same way with the tithes due from them to the priests. Thus all classes of the people displayed a conscientious fidelity in paying the dues to the temple and the servants of God who were appointed to minister in it.