the first inhabitants: i.e. after the reoccupation on the return from Babylon, under Zerubbabe], Joshua, Nehemiah, and Ezra 454-400 B.C. See App-50.
the Israelites. Hebrew "Israel": i.e. the "Israel of God". Compare Nehemiah 11:3. See note on "Israel" (Genesis 32:28; Genesis 43:6; Genesis 45:26; Genesis 45:28). Called "Israel", although only the return of Judah and Benjamin. See note on 1 Kings 12:17.
Levites. the Levites.
the Nethinims. Taken from the people in proportion of one in fifty to assist the Levites (Numbers 31:47; Ezra 8:20).