Albert Barnes Commentary Nehemiah 7
Albert Barnes Commentary
Nehemiah 7
Albert Barnes Commentary
Nehemiah 7
"Now it came to pass, when the wall was built, and I had set up the doors, and the porters and the singers and the Levites were appointed," — Nehemiah 7:1 (ASV)
Since the watch of the temple had until now been kept by porters, singers, and Levites (1 Chronicles 26:1–19), so now the watch of the entire city was committed to men of the same three classes, their experience pointing them out as the most suitable persons.
"that I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the governor of the castle, charge over Jerusalem; for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many." — Nehemiah 7:2 (ASV)
My brother Hanani - See Nehemiah 1:2.
The ruler of the palace - Or, “the governor of the fortress.” See the marginal reference note.
He - i.e., Hananiah.
"And I said unto them, Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun be hot; and while they stand [on guard], let them shut the doors, and bar ye them: and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, every one in his watch, and every one [to be] over against his house." — Nehemiah 7:3 (ASV)
Until the sun be hot - An unusual precaution. The ordinary practice in the East is to open town gates at sunrise.
"Now the city was wide and large; but the people were few therein, and the houses were not builded." — Nehemiah 7:4 (ASV)
The people were few - The number of those who returned with Zerubbabel was no more than 42,360 (Nehemiah 7:66). Less than 2,000 people had come with Ezra (Ezra 8:1–20).
"And my God put into my heart to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that they might be reckoned by genealogy. And I found the book of the genealogy of them that came up at the first, and I found written therein:" — Nehemiah 7:5 (ASV)
It is argued by some that the entire catalogue that follows (Nehemiah 7:7–73) is not the register of those “who came up ‘at the first,’” but of the Jewish people in Nehemiah’s time. (Nehemiah 7:7) and (Ezra 2:2), however, strongly support the usual view.
Furthermore, some arguments against this usual view are thought to be met by considering two points: first, that the Nehemiah mentioned in (Nehemiah 7:7) and (Ezra 2:2) is a person different from Nehemiah the governor; second, that “Tirshatha” was an official title likely to have belonged to others besides Nehemiah (see the Ezra 2:63 note).
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