Charles Ellicott Commentary Nehemiah 11
Charles Ellicott Commentary
Nehemiah 11
Charles Ellicott Commentary
Nehemiah 11
"And the princes of the people dwelt in Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts in the [other] cities. And the people blessed all the men that willingly offered themselves to dwell in Jerusalem." — Nehemiah 11:1-2 (ASV)
The history reverts to Nehemiah 7:5; lots are cast for the transfer of one-tenth of the people to the capital.
And the rulers. —The narrative connects to Nehemiah 7:4. The festival month had prevented the immediate carrying out of the governor’s purpose.
The rest of the people. —The rulers being already in the capital, Nehemiah ordered that one man in ten should be chosen by lot to transfer his family.
Jerusalem the holy city. —Remembering the “separation” that had taken place (Nehemiah 9:0), and the recent covenant (Nehemiah 10:0), we see the solemnity of this epithet, now first used, and repeated in Nehemiah 11:18. “Then shall Jerusalem be holy, and no strangers shall pass through her any more” (Joel 3:17). But the New Testament brings another comment on the phrase.
The people blessed all the men that willingly offered themselves. —We are not told that any compensation was made to them; and these words seem to indicate that the chosen ones freely submitted, their patriotism being applauded by all. Jerusalem was the post of danger, and in any case it was a hardship to leave their country possessions (Nehemiah 11:3).
"Now these are the chiefs of the province that dwelt in Jerusalem: but in the cities of Judah dwelt every one in his possession in their cities, [to wit], Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinim, and the children of Solomon`s servants." — Nehemiah 11:3 (ASV)
Of the province. —This reveals the hand of Nehemiah, who was still a Persian official as well as a governor of Judah; and it shows that here we have a general heading for the rest of the chapter. Both city and country are included in the rest of the verse.
Israel. —The two Israelite tribes were represented, but, like Judah before, this has become a generic name.
"And in Jerusalem dwelt certain of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin. Of the children of Judah: Athaiah the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalalel, of the children of Perez;" — Nehemiah 11:4 (ASV)
Perez. —In 1 Chronicles 9:0 the descendants of Perez (or Phares) are not given; but the descendants of Zerah, present there, are absent here. This may be a question of the right reading of the text.
"And in Jerusalem dwelt certain of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin. Of the children of Judah: Athaiah the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalalel, of the children of Perez; and Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Colhozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of the Shilonite. All the sons of Perez that dwelt in Jerusalem were four hundred threescore and eight valiant men. And these are the sons of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the son of Jeshaiah. And after him Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred twenty and eight. And Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer; and Judah the son of Hassenuah was second over the city. Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin, Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of the house of God, and their brethren that did the work of the house, eight hundred twenty and two; and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah, and his brethren, chiefs of fathers` [houses], two hundred forty and two; and Amashsai the son of Azarel, the son of Ahzai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer, and their brethren, mighty men of valor, a hundred twenty and eight; and their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of Haggedolim. And of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni; and Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chiefs of the Levites, who had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God; and Mattaniah the son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, who was the chief to begin the thanksgiving in prayer, and Bakbukiah, the second among his brethren; and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun. All the Levites in the holy city were two hundred fourscore and four. Moreover the porters, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren, that kept watch at the gates, were a hundred seventy and two." — Nehemiah 11:4-19 (ASV)
The heads in Jerusalem: the list, as compared with 1 Chronicles 9:0, is by no means complete. Judah and Benjamin are represented, with priests and Levites and porters.
"and Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Colhozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of the Shilonite." — Nehemiah 11:5 (ASV)
The son of Shiloni. —Better, the Shilonite, or descendants of Shelah, youngest son of Judah.
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