Nehemiah 7:1-73 - L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

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APPOINTMENTS MADE IN THE CITY

(vv. 1-3)

The wall of separation having been built and the doors hung in the gates, then appointments consistent with this separation were made (v. 1). Gatekeepers are first mentioned, a seriously responsible occupation, for they must receive in all who should be in and keep out all who should be out. They should therefore be able to discern between those who made deceitful claims and those who were true. ln the Church of God today we surely need such gatekeepers, but the Church has no authority to appoint them. Rather, since the Spirit of God dwells in the Church, He will exercise godly men to willingly do their necessary work without the need of appointment. They have the Word of God to guide them in this, for the Spirit of God always works by means of that Word.

Singers were also appointed in Jerusalem, those who by singing expressed praise to the God of Israel. Surely in the Church of God praise should be prominent, and even more overflowing than in Judaism, for we praise the Lord as the One who has accomplished a full redemption for us by means of the sufferings of the cross, and has been raised in glory to the right hand of God. Do we need appointments in order to offer such praise? Certainly not. The Spirit of God draws forth the praise and thanksgiving of our hearts in voluntary worship.

As well as gatekeepers and singers being appointed, Levites were appointed to their particular work. They were of the tribe of Levi, servants to occupy themselves with the service of the temple. They are typical of of those today who are given service to do by the Lord. Thus special gifts are given by the Spirit of God. These too are not put in their place by appointment in the Church of God, but rather are given gifts which will be recognized without any appointment where the work of the Spirit of God is submitted to. Though not appointed, some labor much, others not so much. But though Nehemiah was governor of Judah, he appointed Hanani, his brother, and with him Hananiah to have charge of the city of Jerusalem (v. 2). The wording here seems rather unclear as to which is referred to as "a faithful man" who "feared God more than many." Perhaps Hananiah is meant, since we read of him also in chapter 1:2, but Nehemiah addressed both of them in verse 3. He gives the instructions that the gates were not to be opened until the sun was well up, and then even while guards were present the doors were to remain shut and barred, except, no doubt, when they must be opened for those who were allowed to go in and out. Thus, instructions came from the governor (a type of Christ) and were to be carried out by Hanani and Hananiah, typical of a two-fold work of the Spirit of God in regard to admission or refusal, for the grace of God is shown in admission, but firm government of God in refusal. The Spirit of God ministers both of these.

THE RECORD OF THE FIRST RETURNED CAPTIVES

(vv. 4-73)

Verse 4 tells us that "the city was large and spacious, but the people in it were few, and the houses were not rebuilt." Before this the Lord had reproved the people for saying, "The time has not come, the time that the Lord's house should be built" (Haggai 1:2), and he asked them, "Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins? (v. 4). At that time the people neglected the house of God and concentrated on their own houses, Now the reverse was true. How sadly unbalanced we so easily become! Surely we should have true concern for the truth of the house of God, but in doing so, should we neglect our own house? Well does Paul remind Timothy that "if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever" (1 Timothy 5:8). How tragic was the condition of things in Judah at the time Isaiah wrote, "You number the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses you broke down to fortify the wall" (Isaiah 22:10). Do we do anything similar? Because we want to fortify the wall of separation from the world, do we sacrifice the proper welfare of our own families for this cause? Can we be surprised that the enemy reproaches us for such inconsistency?

At this time God put into Nehemiah's heart the desire to gather the nobles, rulers and the people with the object of registering the people by genealogy (v. 5). This was consistent with the desire that the houses should be built, for it emphasizes the fact that every individual believer is precious to God, therefore all should have houses, a sphere of family responsibility that emphasizes unity in diversity.

Nehemiah then found a register of those who had come to Judah in the first group, before either Ezra or he had returned. This list is given in verses 6 to 63. There were some, however, who claimed to be priests whose names were not found in the register (v. 64). Since these claims were questionable, they were excluded from the priesthood as being defiled. Could this possibly be reversed? There was only one possibility that the governor suggested, that is, if a priest who had the urim and thummim were to be present (v. 65). This was unlikely, because the urim and thummim are never recorded as having been used after Abiathar the priest used the ephod to enquire of God for David (1 Samuel 23:9-12). The urim and thummim (meaning "lights and perfections") were the 12 precious stones placed in the ephod. They indicate the unity of the 12 tribes of Israel and were used to inquire of God, for God answers all questions concerning Israel from the viewpoint of recognizing all Israel.

But there have been tragic divisions and separations in Israel, and the urim and thummim will never be regained until Christ, God's anointed priest stands up to reunite all the tribes of Israel at the end of the Great Tribulation. Similarly, in the Church today, priestly discernment in many cases is lacking, and we are shut up to waiting upon God to show His own will in His own time. If a person's title is clear there is no question. In questionable cases, we can only bow to the Word of God which says, "The Lord knows those who are His" (2 Timothy 2:19). If we have no proof that one is a believer, we cannot accept him as such. If he claims to be a believer, yet associates with those who hold evil doctrine, then his case is certainly questionable, for the rest of the above verse says, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity."

The total number of those who had returned from the captivity was 42,360 (v. 66), besides their male and female servants who numbered 7,337. Their singers are mentioned too, and also animals, horses, mules, camels and donkeys (vv. 67-69). This number included all those in the various cities of Judah as well as Jerusalem (v. 73).

It is good to read that some of the heads of the fathers' houses contributed to the work of the Lord (v. 70). The governor (though Nehemiah does not say, "I") gave 1000 gold drachmas and 2,200 silver minas. This was no small amount! The rest of the people gave 20,000 gold drachmas, 2,200 silver minas and 67 priestly garments. Nehemiah, instead of "receiving" as he had a right to do, was a liberal giver. Of course, such is true of the Lord Jesus, whose giving is beyond our computation.

The work of rebuilding the temple and the wall being completed, then we are told that the people were settled in their respective cities. Since their special needs had been met, now it was time to live lives consistent with the blessing God had given. This settling was completed in the seventh month.

Related Commentaries of Nehemiah 7:1

Nehemiah 7:1-73

1 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,

2 That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many.

3 And I said unto them, Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun be hot; and while they stand by, let them shut the doors, and bar them: and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, every one in his watch, and every one to be over against his house.

4 Now the city was largea and great: but the people were few therein, and the houses were not builded.

5 And my God put into mine heart to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that they might be reckoned by genealogy. And I found a register of the genealogy of them which came up at the first, and found written therein,

6 These are the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity, of those that had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away, and came again to Jerusalem and to Judah, every one unto his city;

7 Who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah,b Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. The number, I say, of the men of the people of Israel was this;

8 The children of Parosh, two thousand an hundred seventy and two.

9 The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two.

10 The children of Arah, six hundred fifty and two.

11 The children of Pahathmoab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand and eight hundred and eighteen.

12 The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.

13 The children of Zattu, eight hundred forty and five.

14 The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore.

15 The children of Binnui,c six hundred forty and eight.

16 The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and eight.

17 The children of Azgad, two thousand three hundred twenty and two.

18 The children of Adonikam, six hundred threescore and seven.

19 The children of Bigvai, two thousand threescore and seven.

20 The children of Adin, six hundred fifty and five.

21 The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight.

22 The children of Hashum, three hundred twenty and eight.

23 The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and four.

24 The children of Hariph,d an hundred and twelve.

25 The children of Gibeon,e ninety and five.

26 The men of Bethlehem and Netophah, an hundred fourscore and eight.

27 The men of Anathoth, an hundred twenty and eight.

28 The men of Bethazmaveth,f forty and two.

29 The men of Kirjathjearim,g Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred forty and three.

30 The men of Ramah and Geba, six hundred twenty and one.

31 The men of Michmas, an hundred and twenty and two.

32 The men of Bethel and Ai, an hundred twenty and three.

33 The men of the other Nebo, fifty and two.

34 The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.

35 The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty.

36 The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five.

37 The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty and one.

38 The children of Senaah, three thousand nine hundred and thirty.

39 The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three.

40 The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two.

41 The children of Pashur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven.

42 The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen.

43 The Levites: the children of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, and of the children of Hodevah,h seventy and four.

44 The singers: the children of Asaph, an hundred forty and eight.

45 The porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, an hundred thirty and eight.

46 The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Hashupha, the children of Tabbaoth,

47 The children of Keros, the children of Sia, the children of Padon,

48 The children of Lebana, the children of Hagaba, the children of Shalmai,

49 The children of Hanan, the children of Giddel, the children of Gahar,

50 The children of Reaiah, the children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda,

51 The children of Gazzam, the children of Uzza, the children of Phaseah,

52 The children of Besai, the children of Meunim, the children of Nephishesim,

53 The children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,

54 The children of Bazlith, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,

55 The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Tamah,

56 The children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.

57 The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Perida,

58 The children of Jaala, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,

59 The children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth of Zebaim, the children of Amon.i

60 All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants, were three hundred ninety and two.

61 And these were they which went up also from Telmelah, Telharesha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer: but they could not shew their father's house, nor their seed,j whether they were of Israel.

62 The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred forty and two.

63 And of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai, which took one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite to wife, and was called after their name.

64 These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.

65 And the Tirshathak said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and Thummim.

66 The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,

67 Beside their manservants and their maidservants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and they had two hundred forty and five singing men and singing women.

68 Their horses, seven hundred thirty and six: their mules, two hundred forty and five:

69 Their camels, four hundred thirty and five: six thousand seven hundred and twenty asses.

70 And some of the chief of the fathers gave unto the work. The Tirshatha gave to the treasure a thousand drams of gold, fifty basons, five hundred and thirty priests' garments.

71 And some of the chief of the fathers gave to the treasure of the work twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand and two hundred pound of silver.

72 And that which the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand pound of silver, and threescore and seven priests' garments.

73 So the priests, and the Levites, and the porters, and the singers, and some of the people, and the Nethinims, and all Israel, dwelt in their cities; and when the seventh month came, the children of Israel were in their cities.