n 33 For the show-bread, and for the continual meat-offering, and for the continual burnt-offering, of the sabbaths, of the newmoons, for the set feasts, and for the holy things, and for the sin-offerings to make an atonement for Israel, and for all the work of the house of our God. 34 And we cast the lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people, for the woodoffering, to bring it into the house of our God, after the houses of our fathers, at times appointed year by year, to burn upon the altar 1 Exod. xxiii. 10; Lev. xxv. 4. ni Deut. xv. 1; Chap. v. 12. Hebrew, every band.- Lev. xxiv. 5, &c. ; 2 Chronicles ii. 4. -P Chap. xiii. 31; Isa. xl. 16.-9 Lev. • Num. xxviii.; xxix. vi. 12. day to sell, we would not buy it―They not only would not sell goods themselves for gain on that day, but they would not encourage the heathen to sell by buying of them, no, not victuals, under pretence of necessity, but would buy in their provisions for their families the day before. They that covenant to keep all the commandments of God, must particularly covenant to keep the sabbath holy. For the profanation of this is a sure inlet to all manner of profaneness. Or on the holy day-That is, on days of rest from labour, such as the passover, the first and seventh day of unleavened bread, Exod. xii. 16, the feast of trumpets, Lev. xxiii. 25, and others. And that we would leave the seventh year -Let the land rest from ploughing or tilling in that year, and leave the fruit of it, which grew of itself, for the poor, as the law required. See the margin. And the exaction of every debt-Would remit, in that year, the debts owed by the poor. The Hebrew masse cal jad, is literally, the burden of every hand. Debts may be so called, because they are commonly contracted or confirmed by a bill, declaration, or promise, given under the debtor's hand. Or the meaning is, as in Isa. lviii. 6, that they engage to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and to break off every yoke. Verse 32. To charge ourselves-Every particular person among us; yearly with a third part of a shekel-About ten-pence of our money; for the service of the house of our God-To provide the show-bread for the table, two lambs for the daily of ferings, four for the sabbaths, and more costly sacrifices for other festivals, occasional sin-offerings, and meat offerings, and drink-offerings for them all, the charge of which was great and constant. Formerly these things had been provided from the adhere to the temple-service. of the LORD our God, as it is writ- A. M. 3559. ten in the law: B. C. 445. 35 And to bring the first-fruits of our ground, and the first-fruits of all fruit of all trees, year by year, unto the house of the LORD: 36 Also the firstborn of our sons, and of our cattle, as it is written in the law, and the firstlings of our herds and of our flocks, to bring to the house of our God, unto the priests that minister in the house of our God. t 37 And that we should bring the first-fruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and "the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage. 38 And the priest the son of Aaron shall be Exodus xxiii. 19; xxxiv. 26; Lev. xix. 23; Num. xviii. 12; Deut. xxvi. 2.- Exod. xiii. 2, 12; Lev. xxvii. 26; Num. xviii. 15. Lev. xxiii. 17; Num. xv. 19; xviii. 12, &c,; Deut. xviii. 4; xxvi. 2.- - Lev. xxvii. 30; Num. xviii. 21, &c. treasures of the temple, (1 Chron. xxvi. 20,) and when these failed, from the king's treasures: but now, both these failing, provision is here properly made for them another way. Verse 34. And we cast lots among the priests, &c. They now determined, by casting lots, how much wood every one should bring in, for his share, to maintain the fire continually upon the altar to burn the sacrifices; and in what order it should be brought; and at what times of the year. Verse 35. And to bring in the first-fruitsThat is, they took an oath to do it; for this is to be understood, and not that they cast lots about it, as they did about the wood-offering mentioned in the foregoing verse. All the particulars of the firstfruits are exactly and distinctly mentioned, that none might pretend ignorance when they withheld any part of the priests' dues, which, at that time especially, the people were very prone to do, through poverty, or covetousness, or profaneness, and that the priests' rights might be firmly assured to them. Thus encouragement was given to the priests to mind their duty, and care was taken that they should be under no temptation to neglect it, in order to make the necessary provision for their families. Then the work of the house of God is likely to go on, when those who serve at the altar live comfortably upon the altar. Verses 37, 38. That the Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage-That is, the tithes of all the fruits of the ground belonging to our several cities. And the priest, the son of Aaron, shall be with the Levites-As the people gave the tithe of their land to the Levites, so the Levites gave a tithe of their tithes to the priests. And it is here ordered, that when the people brought them to the Levites, one of the priests should be present to Every tenth man is chosen by B. C. 445. B. C. 445. A. M. 3559. with the Levites when the Levites || of Levi shall bring the offering of the AM. 3559. take tithes and the Levites shall corn, of the new wine, and the oil, bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the our God, to the chambers, into the treasure-sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and house. the porters, and the singers: and we will not 39 For the children of Israel and the children forsake the house of our God. Numbers xviii. 26.1 Chronicles ix. 26; 2 Chronicles Deut. xii. 6. 11; 2 Chron. xxxi. 12; Chap. xiii. 12.—a Chap. xxxi. 11. xiii. 10, 11. inspect them, and to see that they tithed the tithes, that is, set apart the tenth of the tithes they had received for the priests, which were brought to the chambers of the house of God, wherein they were deposited for their use. Verse 39. The offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil-See the margin. Unto the chambers where are the vessels, &c.—Where holy things were kept, and where God's ministers at tended, for whose use they were designed, and they were brought thither at the charge of those who offered them. And we will not forsake the house of our God-We do here solemnly declare and engage ourselves, that we will take care, from time to time, that the house and service of God be not neglected or forsaken, for want of necessary provisions to support it. Though they paid great taxes to the kings of Persia, and had much hardship put upon them, they would not make that an excuse for not paying their tithes; but would render to God the things that were his, as well as to Cesar the things that were his. We must do what we can in works of piety and charity, notwithstanding the taxes we pay to the government; and cheerfully perform our duty to God amidst our burdens, which will be the surest way to ease and liberty in God's due time. CHAPTER XI. The rulers and men drawn by lot dwell at Jerusalem, 1, 2. Their names, numbers, and families, 3-19. A. M. 3559. B. C. 445. AND villages that were peopled by the rest, 20-36. The cities and B. C. 445. ND the rulers of the people dwelt || Jerusalem the holy city, and nine A. M. 3559. at Jerusalem: the rest of the peo-parts to dwell in other cities. ple also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in 2 And the people blessed all the men that a Verse 18; Matt. iv. 5; xxvii. 53. NOTES ON CHAPTER XI. Verse 1. The rulers of the people dwelt at Jerualem-Where their very office, in some sort, obliged them to dwell; and where, it seems, Nehemiah had desired the principal men of the nation, by way of example, to fix their habitations. The rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem That the building of the city might be completed, and the honour and safety of it better provided for. The bulk of the Jews, it appears, rather chose to live in the country than at Jerusalem. One reason of which might be, that they were generally shepherds, and lovers of agriculture, and therefore the country was more suited to their genius and manner of life than the city. Add to this, that their enemies were now so enraged to see the walls built again, and so restless in their designs to keep Jerusalem from rising to its former splendour, that many were terrified from coming to dwell there, thinking themselves more safe in the country, where their enemies had no pretence to disturb them. In order, therefore, to compel a certain proportion of them to remove to city, the expedient of casting lots is resorted to. Though the casting of lots be certainly forbidden, where the thing is done out of a spirit of superstition, the or with a design to tempt God; yet on some occasions it is enjoined by God himself, and the most holy persons, both in the Old and New Testaments, have practised it in particular cases. The wise man acknowledges the usefulness of this custom when he tells us that the lot causeth contention to cease, and parteth between the mighty, Prov. xviii. 18; and therefore it was no bad policy, as things now stood, to take this method of division; since the lot, which all allowed was under the divine direction, falling upon such a person rather than another, would be a great means, no doubt, to make him remove more contentedly into the city. Verse 2. The people blessed all the men that willingly offered themselves-Besides those who were chosen by lot, it seems there were some that voluntarily chose to go and live there, whom the people highly commended, beseeching God to bless and prosper them: for indeed they were worthy to be honoured, because they denied themselves, and their own safety and profit, for the public good, and the glory of God; seeking the restoration of their nation, the defence of their city, and the welfare of their country, and having zeal for the divine service performed there; for, no doubt, more profit accrued The officers appointed for the A. M. 3559. 3 b willingly offered themselves to dwell || raioth, the son of Ahitub, was the ruler A. M. 3559. Now these are the chief 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 Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants. 4 And fat 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 Mahalaleel, of the children of Perez; 5 And Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Col-hozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of Shiloni. 6 All the sons of Perez that dwelt at Jerusalem were four hundred threescore and eight valiant men. 7 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 Jesaiah. 8 And after him Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred twenty and eight. B. C. 445. 12 And their brethren that did the work of the house were eight hundred twenty and two: and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaiah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchiah, 13 And his brethren, chief of the fathers, two hundred forty and two: and Amashai the son of Azareel, the son of Ahasai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer, 1 14 And their brethren, mighty men of valour, a hundred twenty and eight: and their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of one of the great men. 15 Also of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hashub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni ; 16 And Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chief of the Levites, 2 had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God. 17 And Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, was the principal 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. 18 All the Levites in the holy city were two hundred fourscore and four. 3 19 Moreover the porters, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren that kept the gates, were a hundred seventy and two. 9 And Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer: and Judah the son of Senuah was second over the city. 10h Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, 20 T And the residue of Israel, of the priests, Jachin. and the Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, every one in his inheritance. 11 Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Me Ezra b Judg. v. 9.-- 1 Chron. ix. 2, 3.- d Ezra ii. 43. ii. 55.- f 1 Chron. ix. 3, &c.- - Gen. xxxviii. 29, Pharez. h1 Chron. ix. 10, &c. to those who settled in the country where they chose, and had as much ground to cultivate as they wished, than to those who were confined to the city, and the small portion of land which lay about it. Verse 3. These are the chief of the 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. Verse 6. Four hundred threescore and eight valiant men—Such were most proper for this place and time, because of its many enemies round about. Verses 8, 9. Nine hundred twenty and eight-So there were more of Benjamin than of Judah, because the city did chiefly, and most properly, belong to 1 4 21 But the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel: and 1 Or, the son of Haggedolim. Heb, were over. 1Chron. xxvi. 29.- k Verse 1. -3 Heb. at the gates. Chap. iii. 26. 4 Or, the tower. that tribe, as hath been observed before. Joel was their overseer-The captain of their thousand. Verse 11. The ruler of the house of God-One of the chief priests, who ruled with and under the high-priest. Verse 16. The outward business of the house of God-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 provisions, out of the several parts of the land. Verse 17. To begin the thanksgiving in prayer—– In the public 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. Verse 21. The Nethinims dwelt in Ophel-Which 22 The overseer also of the Levites at Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micha. Of the sons of Asaph, the singers were over the business of the house of God. 23 For it was the king's commandment concerning them, that a certain portion should be for the singers, due for every day. 24 And Pethahiah the son of Meshezabeel, of the children of "Zerah the son of Judah, was at the king's hand in all matters concerning the people. 25 And for the villages, with their fields, some of the children of Judah dwelt at P Kirjath-arba, and in the villages thereof, and at Dibon, and in the villages thereof, and at Jekabzeel, and in he villages thereof, 26 And at Jeshua, and at Moladah, and at Beth-phelet, 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. Verse 22. The sons of Asaph were over the business of the house of God-Were to take care at Jerusalem for the supply of such things as were necessary for the temple and the service of God, from time to time, while others minded the outward business, verse 16. And this office was very proper for them, both as they were Levites, to whose care those things belonged; and as they were singers, who were not to come up to Jerusalem by turns, as other Levites, and as the priests did, but were constantly to reside there, and therefore were more capable of minding this business. Besides, their employment was not so frequent nor so great as some others were, and therefore they had more leisure for it. were peopled by the residue. 27 And at Hazar-shual, and at Beer- A. M. 3559. sheba, and in the villages thereof, B. C. 445. 28 And at Ziklag, and at Mekonah, and in the villages thereof, 29 And at En-rimmon, and at Zareah, and at Jarmuth, 30 Zanoah, Adullam, and in their villages, at Lachish, and the fields thereof, at Azekah, and in the villages thereof. And they dwelt from Beer-sheba unto the valley of Hinnom. 31 The children also of Benjamin 6 from Geba 32 And at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah, 34 Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat, 35 Lod, and Ono, the valley of crafts men. 36 And of the Levites were divisions in Ju- • 1 Chron. xviii. 17; xxiii. 28.-P Joshua xiv. 15.- ment of the king of Persia, who, out of his great Verse 24. Pethahiah was at the king's hand-Or Verse 36. Of the Levites were 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, though 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, Verse 23. It was the king's commandment, &c.- and in whom prophecy ceased for some ages, till it That is, as it is generally thought, the command-revived in the great prophet. CHAPTER XII. The chief of the priests and Levites that came up with Zerubbabel, 1–9. The succession of the chief priests, 10-21. The eminent Levites, 22-26. 2 An account of the priests and B. C. 536. NEHEMIAH. A. M 3468. NOW these are the priests and the Levites that went up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua: b Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, 6 7 5 Miamin, Maadiah, Bilgah, 6 Shemaiah, and Joiarib, Jedaiah, 78 Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. These were the chief of the priests and of their brethren in the days of d Jeshua. 8 Moreover the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, which was over the thanksgiving, he and his brethren. 9 Also Bakbukiah and Unni, their brethren, were over against them in the watches. 10 ¶ And Jeshua begat Joiakim, Joiakim also begat Eliashib, and Eliashib begat Joiada, 11 And Joiada begat Jonathan, and Jonathan begat Jaddua. 1 a Ezra ii. 1.- b Chap. x. 2-8. Or, Melicu, Verse 14. 2 Or, Shebaniah, Verse 14.- -3Or, Harim, Verse 15.- - Or, Meraioth, Verse 15.-Or, Ginnethon, Verse 16. Luke i. 5. NOTES ON CHAPTER XII. Verse 1. Now these are the priests-The chief of the priests; the heads of those twenty-four courses which David appointed by divine direction, 1 Chron. xxiv. And whereas there were twenty-four, and here but twenty-two, and verse 12, &c., only twenty, the reason of this difference may be because two of the twenty-four courses were extinct in Babylon, and two of the persons here named, (verse, 2-5,) Hattush and Maadiah, may be omitted in the account of the posterity of these, (verse 12, &c.,) because they had no posterity. Ezra-Either this was another Ezra, or, if it were the same mentioned Ezra vii., he lived to a great age; which may well be supposed, considering his great sobriety, and his great piety, to which God promised long life, and withal the special providence of God continuing him so long in such a season, wherein the church of God did greatly need his help and counsel. Verse 2. Malluch-In the repetition of this and some other names hereafter, verse 14, &c., there are some small variations, which are very frequent in the Hebrew language. Verse 7. These were the chief of the priests-The heads of the courses of the priests instituted by David, which were restored after their return from captivity, though as yet they were not so many as they had been before: see Ezra vi. 18. And of their brethren-That is, of the priests, who were their brethren; in the days of Jeshua-Who was the high-priest at the return from captivity. Verses 8, 9. Moreover the Levites, which were over the thanksgiving-Appointed to see that the Levites that returned to Jerusalem. B. C. 536. 12 And in the days of Joiakim were A. M. 3468. priests, the chief of the fathers: of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah; 13 Of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan; 14 Of Melicu, Jonathan; of Shebaniah, Joseph; 15 Of Harim, Adna; of Meraioth, Helkai; 16 Of Iddo, Zechariah; of Ginnethon, Meshullam; 17 Of Abijah, Zichri; of Miniamin, of Moadiah, Piltai; 18 Of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan ; 19 And of Joiarib, Mattenai; of Jedaiah, Uzzi; 20 Of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber; 21 Of Hilkiah, Hashabiah; of Jedaiah, Nethaneel. 22 The Levites in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, and Johanan, and Jaddua, were recorded chief of the fathers: also the priests, to the reign of Darius the Persian. e 8 Or, Miniamin, Verse 17.- -'Or, Moadiah, Verse 17.- Or, Sallai, Verse 20.- d Ezra iii. 2; Haggai i. 1; Zech. iii. 1. Chap. xi. 17. That is, the psalms of thanksgiving. psalms of thanksgiving were continually sung in the temple, in due time and manner. Also, their brethren were over against them in the watches-That is, in the places where they were appointed to stand, and wait, and perform their office, which was to keep the guard of the gates, while the others sung. Verses 10, 11. And Jeshua begat Joiakim-In these two verses is an account of the succession of the high-priests, from the return of the captivity till the time when they began to bear the greatest sway in the Jewish nation. For the Jaddua mentioned at the end of verse 11, is commonly thought to be that Jaddus, the high-priest, who went to meet Alexander the Great in his pontifical habit, as he came from the conquest of Tyre and Gaza, and procured great privileges for the Jewish nation. This catalogue of their high-priests was the more necessary, because their times were now to be measured, not by the years of their kings, as formerly, but by their highpriests. Verse 12. In the days of Joiakim were priests— As the writer had mentioned those who were the chief of the priests in the days of Jeshua, so now he mentions the sons of every one of them who officiated in the days of Joiakim the son of Jeshua, either as assistants to their fathers, or succeeding them when they were dead. He begins with the three named in this verse, and so proceeds in order to give an account of the rest, which reaches to verse 22. Verse 22. Also the priests, to the reign of Darius the Persian-"This verse," observes Dr. Dodd, after Le Clerc, "wherein mention is made of Darius Codomanus, and the high-priest Jaddua, affords us a |