View Nehemiah 11 in the note window.
The rulers and men drawn by lot dwell at Jerusalem, ver. 1, 2.
Their names, numbers and families, ver. 3 - 19.
The cities and villages that were peopled by the rest, ver. 20 - 36.
1: To dwell - That the buildings of the city might be compleated, and
the safety of it better provided for.
2: Blessed - Because they denied themselves, and their own safety and
profit for the publick good; for this city was the butt of all the malicious
plots of their enemies; and for the present it was rather chargeable than
beneficial to its inhabitants.
3: Province - Of Judea, which was now made a province.
Israel - The generality of the people of Israel, whether of Judah,
or Benjamin, or any other tribe. These he calls Israel rather than
Judah, because there were many of the other tribes now incorporated
with them; and because none of the tribes of Israel, except Judah
and Benjamin, dwelt in Jerusalem.
9: Overseer - The captain of their thousand.
16: Outward - For those things belonging to the temple and its
service, which were to be done without it, or abroad in the country,
as the gathering in of the voluntary contributions, or other necessary
provision out of the several parts of the land.
17: To begin - In the publick and solemn prayers and praises, which
were constantly joined with the morning and evening sacrifice, at which
the singers were present, and praised God with a psalm or hymn which,
this man began.
21: The Nethinims dwelt in Ophel - Which was upon the wall of
Jerusalem, because they were to do the servile work of the temple:
therefore they were to be posted near it, that they might be ready
to attend.
24: Was, &c. - Or, on the king's part, to determine civil causes
and controversies between man and man, by the laws of that kingdom;
between the king and people; as in matters of tribute, or grievances.
36: Divisions - Or, for the Levites (those who were not settled
in Jerusalem) there were divisions, places appointed for them, and
distributed among them. Thus were they settled free and easy, tho'
few and poor. And they might have been happy, but for that general
lukewarmness, with which they are charged by the prophet Malachi, who
prophesied about this time and in whom prophecy ceased for some ages,
'till it revived in the great prophet.
