Matthew Poole and continuators on Nehemiah 11

1 ANd the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem : the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem , the holy city, and nine parts to dwell in other cities.

Which their very Office in some sort obliged them to do.

That the buildings of the City might be compleated, and the Honour and Safety of it better provided for.

2 And the people blessed all the men that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem .

Because they denied themselves, and their own safety and profit for the publick good: for this City was the Bu[illegible: 1+ letters]t of all the malicious plots of their Enemies; and for the present it was rather chargeable than beneficial to its Inhabitants, whereas the Country did more easily and certainly afford them supplies.

3 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 Solomons servants.

i. e. Of Iudea, which was now made a province.

i. e. The generality of the People of Israel, whether of Iudah, or Benjamin, or any other Tribe; as appears by this general enumeration of all the Inhabitants of the Land, in which either the People of Iudah and Benjamin are included under the title of Israel, or they are not here mentioned▪ which is absurd to think, because they made up the greatest number of them. And these he calls Israel rather than Iudah, partly because there were many of the other Tribes now joined and incorporated with them: and partly because none of the Tribes of Israel, except Iudah and Benjamin, dwelt in Ierusalem, as appears from the sequel.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word]. 2. 43.; [illegible: 1 word]. 2. 55.

4 And at Jerusalem dwelt certain of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin : of the children of Judah; Athajah 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:

For to these two Tribes this City anciently and most properly belonged, although some also of other Tribes dwelt in it. Of which, and other things relating to this catalogue, see 1 Chron. [illegible: 1+ letters] ▪ 3▪ &c.

And his Family and relations with him, and under him as their head, as appears from v. 6.

Marginal references: one.

6 All the sons of Perez that dwelt at Jerusalem, were four hundred threescore and eight valiant men ▪

Such were most proper for this place and time, because of its many Enemies round about it.

8 And after him Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred twenty and eight ▪

So here were more of Benjamin, than of Iudah, because the City did chiefly and most properly belong to that Tribe, as hath been noted before.

9 And Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer : and Judah the son of Senuah, was second over the city.

The Captain of their Thousand.

11 Serajah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Merajoth, the son of Ahitub, was the ruler of the house of God .

One of the chief-Priests, who ruled with and under the High-Priest, See Numb. 3. 32. 1 Chr. 9. 11. 2 Chr. 19. 11. & 31. 13.

14 And their brethren mighty men of valour, an hundred twenty and eight: and their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of one of the great men .

i. e. Of a person then or lately eminent in Valour, or Worth, or Dignity. Or of Gedolim, or Haggedoli[illegible: 1+ letters], a man so called.

Marginal references: Or, the [illegible: 1 word] of Haggedoji[illegible: 1+ letters].

16 And Shabbethai, and Jozabad of the chief of the Levites, had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God .

i. e. For those things belonging to the Temple and its service, which were to be done without it, or abroad in the Country, as for the gathering in of the voluntary Contributions, or other necessary provisions out of the several parts of the Land. See 1 Chr. 26. 29.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1 word] over.

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 Jeduthun.

i. e. In the publick 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.

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 .

i. e. 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, whilest others minded the outward business, v. 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 to Ierusalem 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.

23 For it was the kings commandment concerning them, that a certain portion should be for the singers, due for every day.

Or, therefore. For the following words contain either a reason why they were set over that business; or a recompense for it; or a provision that they might diligently attend to it.

Either 1. Davids, who made this constitution▪ Or rather 2. The Kings of Persia, who is called simply the king in the next verse also: who took this care at the request and by the direction of Ezra or Nehemiah. Or this might be Nehemiah's Command, which is called the Kings Command, because it was done by the Kings Deputy, or a Commissioner whom the King impowered to do what he saw fit for the House and Service of God, commanding all the People to obey him therein; as he had formerly done▪ Ezra 7. 18, 20, 23.

Marginal references: Or, [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word].

24 And Pethahiah the son of Meshezabeel, of the children of Zerah the son of Judah, was at the kings hand in all matters concerning the people .

Or, on the kings part, to determine Civil Causes and Controversies between Man and Man, by the Laws of that Kingdom; which peradventure he understood better than Nehemiah, and therefore was appointed for this work, but still under Nehemiah. Or, according to the kings appointment, as the hand is used, as Numb. 4. 49. and elsewhere.

Either in civil differences between them: or in things between the King and People; as in matters of Tribute, or Grievances, &c. wherein this man possibly was chief Justitiary under Nehemiah.

25 And for the villages, with their fields, some of the children of Judah dwelt at Kirjath-arba , and in the villages thereof, and at Dibon, and in the villages thereof, and at Jekabzeel, and in the villages thereof.

This, and most of the other places here named had been destroyed by the Chaldeans; but the Jews now repaired the best of the ruinated Houses, and by degrees rebuilt others.

Marginal references: Heb. daughters.

35 Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen .

Or, in the valley, &c. Or this is another place called Ge-baharasim.

Marginal references: 1 Ch[illegible: 1+ letters]. [illegible: 1+ letters]. [illegible: 1 word]

36 And of the Levites, were divisions in Judah and in Benjamin.

Or, for the Levites (to wit, those of them who were not settled in Ierusalem) there were divisions, i. e. places appointed for them▪ and distributed among them.