Nehemiah 12 - Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Priests — The chief of the priests, the heads of those twenty four courses which David appointed by divine direction, 1 Chronicles 24:1-19. And whereas there were twenty four, and here but twenty — two, and Nehemiah 12:12, &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, Nehemiah 12:2, Nehemiah 12:5, Hattush, and Maadiah, may be omitted in the account of the posterity of these, Nehemiah 12:12, &c. because they had no posterity. Ezra — Either this was another Ezra, or if it were the same mentioned Ezra 7:1, 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.

Moreover, &c. — He was to see, that the psalms of thanksgiving were continually sung in the temple, in due time and manner.

Jeshua — Here follows a catalogue of the Jewish high — priests; which was the more necessary, because their times were now to be measured, not by the years of their kings as formerly, but by their high — priests.

Priests — As their fathers were priests in the days of Joshua, so in the days of Joiakim the son of Joshua, the sons of those persons executed the priesthood in their father's steads, some of their fathers probably being yet living, and many of them dead.

Darius — Darius Noehus; and so this Jaddua might be father to him who was in the days of Darius Codomanus, and of Alexander the Great.

The wall — Of the city itself, which is here dedicated to God, and to his honour and service, not only upon a general account, by which we ought to devote ourselves, and all that is ours, to God; but upon a more special ground, because this was a place which God himself had chosen, and sanctified by his temple and gracious presence, and therefore did of right belong to him; whence it is often called the holy city. And they restored it to God by this dedication, withal imploring the presence, and favour, and blessing of to this city by solemn prayers, and praises, and sacrifices, wherewith this dedication was accompanied. Places — To which they were now retired after that great and general assembly, chap. Nehemiah 8:1, Nehemiah 9:1, & 10. Nehemiah 8:1 &c.

Purified themselves — They that would be instrumental to sanctify others, must sanctify themselves, and set themselves apart for God, with purity of mind and sincerity of intention.

Princes — And half of the people with them. The wall — For the wall was broad and strong, and so ordered that men might conveniently walk upon it. Right hand — Towards the south and east.

Stood still — Waiting, as also their brethren did, that they might go together in due order into God's house, there to perfect the solemnity.

The children rejoiced — And their hosanna's were not despised, but are recorded to their praise. All that share in public mercies, ought to join in public thanksgivings.

Rejoiced — For the eminent gifts and graces which they observed in many of them: for the great benefit which they had now received by their ministry: and for the competent provision which hereby was made for them, that so they might wholly wait upon their office. The sure way for ministers to gain an interest, in the affections of their people, is to wait on their ministry, to spend their whole time, and thought, and strength therein.

The ward — That ward, or charge, which God had prescribed to them. And in particular the charge of purification, of taking care that no unclean person or thing should enter into the house or courts of the Lord.

Sanctified — They set apart the first — fruits and tithes from their own share, and devoted them to the use of the Levites. And so did the Levites by the tithe of the tithes. Thus they all conscientiously paid their dues, and did not profane those things which God had sanctified, nor take them into their own common use. When what is contributed for the support of religion, is given with an eye to God, it is sanctified, and will cause the blessing to rest upon the house, and all that is therein.