Bible Commentaries

these. Nehemiah had given the heads of families (Nehemiah 7:6-73) and the numbers of the four classes of priests (Nehemiah 7:39-42). Compare Ezra 2:36-39. Here he inserts twenty-two names, the heads of priests" classes, or courses formed out of these four, "in the days of Jeshua" (Nehemiah 12:7). See Ezra 6:18.

Ezra. Not the Ezra of the book of Ezra.

chief = heads.

the Levites. Compare Ezra 2:40 with Ezra 7:43, above.

over against = corresponding to those in Nehemiah 12:8.

in the watches: i.e. the courses, or waitings.

Shebamah. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Septuagint, and Syriac, read "Shechaniah".

Helkai. Some codices, with six early printed editions, read "Hilkai".

Darius = Darius Hystaspis. See App-57and App-58.

the book of the chronicles: i.e. the public records or registers.

the man of God. See App-49.

God. Hebrew. Elohim.(with Art.) = the [true]God. App-4.

ward = charge.

thresholds = gatherings or storehouses.

governor = Pasha. Chaldee. pechah.

with thanksgivings. Psa 147would have been a suitable psalm for the occasion, and Psa 122.

the singers. Mentioned in Nehemiah 12:24.

plain country = surrounding country.

the house of Gilgal. Hebrew Beth-Gilgal

companies of them that gave thanks. Heb, celebrations; "celebrations", or thanksgivings, put for the choirs who rendered them, by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), App-6.

Hoshaiah. Compare Jeremiah 42:1; Jeremiah 43:2.

Ezra. Not Ezra the scribe,

Of David: i.e. dating from, or invented by him.

the stairs. See Nehemiah 3:15.

in = at.

offered. Hebrew. zabach. App-43.

children = offspring.

some = men. Hebrew. "enosh. App-14.

offerings = heave offerings.

into them = by them: i.e. these officers; not into the chambers, for "chambers" is fem, and "them" is masculine

of the law. So in Cod. Hillel; but some codices, with one early printed edition, read "portions for thanksgiving".

ward = charge.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

all Israel. Used of Judah, Benjamin, and those who returned with them. See note on 1 Kings 12:17.

children = sons.