CHAPTER X. 1 The names of them that sealed the covenant. 29 The points of the covenant. Now 'those that sealed were, Nehemiah, 'the 2 Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah, 8 Maaziah, Bilgai, Shemaiah: these were the priests. 9 And the Levites: both Jeshua the son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel; 31 'And if the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy it of them on the sabbath, or on the holy day: and that we would leave the 'seventh year, and the exaction of 'every debt. 32 Also we made ordinances for us, to charge ourselves yearly with the third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God; 33 For the shewbread, and for the continual meat offering, and for the continual burnt offering, "of the sabbaths, of the new moons, 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, 10 And their brethren, Shebaniah, Hodi- the Levites, and the people, for the wood jah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan, 11 Micha, Rehob, Hashabiah, 12 Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah, 13 Hodijah, Bani, Beninu. offering, 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 of the LORD our God, as it is written 14 The chief of the people: Parosh, Pa- in the law: hath-moab, Elam, Zatthu, Bani, 15 Bunni, Azgad, Bebai, 28 And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters, the singers, the Nethinims, and all they that had separated themselves from the people of the lands unto the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every one having knowledge, and having understanding; 29 They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes; 30 And that we would not give our daughters unto the people of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons: 35 And "to bring the firstfruits of our ground, and the firstfruits 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: 37 1And that we should bring the firstfruits 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 with the Levites, "when the Levites take tithes and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house. 39 For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God. 12 Exod. 13. 2. Verse 20. "The third part of a shekel."-This was about ten pence. We do not find such a contribution anywhere enjoined in the law. It must therefore be regarded as a tax imposed by the people upon themselves, for the support of the Temple. This is implied indeed in the form of expression, "We made ordinances for us to charge ourselves yearly," &c. It seems clear that the interpretation which taught that Exod. xxx. 12 (see the note on Num. i. 2) required from every adult male an annual poll-tax of half a shekel, had not yet been discovered. It is very possible that this actual establishment of a poll-tax, of a third of a shekel, gave occasion to that interpretation at a subsequent period, and that then the amount was raised, on that supposed authority, to half a shekel. We do not again hear of this smaller contribution; but we know that half a shekel was payable in the New Testament times, and was sent to the treasury of the Temple by the Jews of every region. 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. 2 And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem. 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 Solomon's servants. 4 And at 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. Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, was the ruler of the house of God. 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 Pelaliah, 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, 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. 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, 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. 19 Moreover the porters, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren that kept the gates, were an hundred seventy and two. 20 And the residue of Israel, of the priests, and the Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, every one in his inheritance. 21 But the Nethinims dwelt in "Ophel: and Ziha and Gispa were over the Nethi 8 And after him Gabbai, Sallai, nine hun- nims. dred twenty and eight. 9 And Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer; and Judah the son of Senuah was second over the city. 10 Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin. 11 Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Or, the son of Haggedolim. 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 Heb, were over. 3 Heb. at the gaies, 4 Sec chap. 3. 26. Or, the tower. Or, a sure ordinanes, should be for the singers, duc 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 Kirjath-arba, and in the villages thereof, and at Ďibon, and in the villages thereof, and at Jekabzeel, and in the villages thereof, 26 And at Jeshua, and at Moladah, and at Beth-phelet, 27 And at Hazar-shual, and at Beersheba, and in the villages thereof, 28 And at Ziklag, and at Mekonah, and in the villages thereof, 7 Or, of Geba. 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 'from Geba dwelt at Michmash, and Aija, and Beth-el, and in their villages, 32 And at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah, 33 Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim, 34 Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat, 35 Lod, and Ono, the valley of crafts men. 36 And of the Levites were divisions in Judah, and in Benjamin. Or, to Michmash. Verse 3." The Nethinims."-The word Nethinim (, from, nathan, « to give,") means the given ones, or persons given to the priests and Levites for the more laborious and servile duties of the Temple. Some think that they were the remains of the Gibeonites, whom Joshua gave to be hewers of wood and drawers of water. But, in Ezra viii. 20, the Nethinims are described as those "whom David and the princes had appointed (given) for the service of the Levites:" these were probably captives taken from some of the people conquered by David. We also read that when Solomon built the Temple, he made the strangers (subject Canaanites) that were in the land hewers of wood and bearers of burdens. It is probable that the Nethinims, after the captivity, were individuals from the remains of these three classes; and as we can scarcely imagine that the Jews could retain their authority over them, when equally with themselves captives in a strange land, it is pleasant to suppose that those Nethinims who returned from the captivity did so voluntarily, being sincere proselytes, who did not esteem their employment at the Temple intolerable or degrading. Nor was it; for they are mentioned with respect, after the Levites, and it is even said that they were "expressed by name," which, according to Hebrew notions, was an honourable distinction. The number that returned was however small-392 with Zerubbabel, and 220 with Ezra. They were placed in the cities of the Levites, and attended at the Temple in rotation, like their superiors. Their numbers appear, however, to have been inadequate to the duties they had to perform; and hence it was, probably, that, as we read in the preceding chapter (verse 34), lots were cast among the priests, Levites, and people, for "the wood offering," that is, as explained, to decide at what stated times, year by year, and by what households, the duty of supplying fuel for the altar should be taken. This was originally the duty of the congregation before the Gibeonites relieved them, and now the deficiency of the Nethinims renders necessary a partial recurrence to the ancient practice. CHAPTER XII. 1 The priests, 8 and the Levites, which came up Now these are the 'priests and the Levites 2 Amariah, Malluch, Hattush, 3 Shechaniah, 'Rehum, 'Meremoth, 4 Iddo, 'Ginnetho, Abijah, 5 'Miamin, Maadiah, Bilgah, 6 Shemaiah, and Joiarib, Jedaiah, 7 'Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. These were the chiefs of the priests and of their brethren in the days of Jeshua. 8 Moreover the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, 1 Ezra 2. 1. 2 Or, Melicu, verse 14. 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. 12 And in the days of Joiakim were 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; 3 Or, Shebaniah, verse 14. 4 Or, Harim, verse 15. Or, Meraioth, verse 15. 9 Or, Sallai, verse 20. 441 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. 23 The sons of Levi, the chief of the fathers, were written in the book of the "chronicles, even until the days of Johanan the son of Eliashib. 24 And the chief of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brethren over against them, to praise and to give thanks, according to the commandment of David the man of God, ward over against ward. 25 Mattaniah, and Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, Akkub, were porters keeping the ward at the thresholds of the gates. 26 These were in the days of Joiakim the son of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor, and of Ezra the priest, the scribe. 27 And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps. 28 And the sons of the singers gathered themselves together, both out of the plain country round about Jerusalem, and from the villages of Netophathi; 29 Also from the house of Gilgal, and out of the fields of Geba and Azmaveth: for the singers had builded them villages round about Jerusalem. 30 And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and purified the people, and the gates, and the wall. 31 Then I brought up the princes of Judah upon the wall, and appointed two great companies of them that gave thanks, whereof one went on the right hand upon the wall toward the dung gate: 32 And after them went Hoshaiah, and half of the princes of Judah, 33 And Azariah, Ezra, and Meshullam, 34 Judah, and Benjamin, and Shemaiah, and Jeremiah, 35 And certain of the priests' sons with trumpets: namely, Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Michaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph: 36 And his brethren, Shemaiah, and Azarael, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethaneel, and Judah, Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God, and Ezra the scribe before them. 37 And at the fountain gate, which was over against them, they went up by the stairs of the city of David, at the going up of the wall, above the house of David, even unto the water gate eastward. 38 And the other company of them that gave thanks went over against them, and I after them, and the half of the people upon the wall, from beyond the tower of the furnaces even unto the broad wall; 39 And from above the gate of Ephraim, and above the old gate, and above the fish gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Meah, even unto the sheep gate: and they stood still in the prison gate. 40 So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me: 41 And the priests; Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets; 42 And Maaseiah, and Shemaiah, and Eleazar, and Uzzi, and Jehohanan, and Malchijah, and Elam, and Ezer. And the singers "sang loud, with Jezrahiah their overseer. 43 Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off. 44 And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions "of the law for the priests and Levites: "for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited. 45 And both the singers and the porters kept the ward of their God, and the ward of 13 Heb. made their voice to be heard. 14 That is, appointed by the law. 16 Heb hat stood. 111 Chron. 9, 14, &c. 18 Or, treasuries, or, assemblies. Verse 11. "Jaddua."-Some writers think that the verse concluding with this name could not have been written by Nehemiah, seeing that Jaddua did not succeed to the priesthood till upwards of a century after the date of Nehemiah's first commission; so that, allowing him to have been then a young man, as he probably was, he could not well have been less than 130 years of age when this was written. This is not impossible, certainly; but it seems less likely than that the names of the successive high priests, down to the subversion of the Persian empire, were inserted by a later hand. The precise periods at which the priests here named succeeded each other cannot be determined with much certainty. But as they became very important ruling authorities in the period between the conclusion of Nehemiah's reforms and the invasion of Asia by Alexander, we insert the order and state of their succession as given by Prideaux and Hales. The high priest Seraiah, who was slain by Nebuchadnezzar, must have left more than one son who did not share his ruin. Ezra must have descended from one of his younger sons, for his eldest was Josedech, who was carried into captivity, and appears to have acted as high priest among the captives. He died before the decree for the restoration of the Jews was issued by Cyrus, and was succeeded by his son Jeshua, or Joshua, who returned to Jerusalem with the first caravan under Zerubbabel, and who is conspicuously mentioned in the prophecies of Zechariah. He was succeeded by his son Jehoiakim (B.c. 483 to 453, thirty years), in whose time the second caravan of returned captives, under Ezra, arrived at Jerusalem. After him came Eliashib (B.c. 453-413, forty years), who lived during all the history which the present book records, and whose improper conduct during Nehemiah's absence at the Persian court will presently come under our notice. He was followed by his son Joiada, or Judas (B.c. 413-373, forty years), who was succeeded by Jonathan, or John (B.c. 373-341, thirty-two years), in the eighth year of whose pontificate his brother Jeshua came to Jerusalem to supersede him in his office, in virtue of a grant of which he obtained from Bagoses, the Persian satrap of Syria and Phoenicia. But Jonathan would by no means yield; in consequence of which a great strife took place between them in the inner court of the Temple, Jeshua attempting by force to enter upon the execution of the office, and the other endeavouring by force to prevent him. The former was killed in the strife. The Persian governor, after having been at Jerusalem to inquire into the circumstances, punished this horrible crime by laying a heavy tribute upon the lambs offered in sacrifice, which proved a great burden to the people, and was not remitted till the accession of Ochus, king of Persia, B.C. 358. Jonathan, however, retained his dignity, and on his death was succeeded by Jaddua, or Jaddus (B.C. 341-321, twenty years), in whose time Alexander the Great made his appearance in Asia. After that conqueror had reduced Tyre, he proceeded to Jerusalem; but it is said by Josephus and others, that his hostile intentions were averted by his being met on his approach by the high priest in his official robes, followed by the priests in their proper habits, and the people in white raiment. Alexander was astonished; having, as he said, before seen in a vision a person attired like the high priest, who had encouraged his great enterprises, and promised him complete success. He therefore gave his right hand to Jaddua, and entering the city peaceably, proceeded to the Temple and offered sacrifice under the direction of the high priest. This personage also explained to him the prophecies in Daniel, that a Grecian king should overthrow the Persian empire. This was rightly understood by Alexander to refer to himself; and he was altogether so much gratified, that, so far from molesting the Jews, he encouraged them to ask what privileges they desired: these were, that they should be allowed the enjoyment of their own laws and customs, and be exempted from tribute every seventh year. This was readily granted; and thus the yoke of Persia was exchanged for that of the Macedonians. 22. "Darius the Persian."-As the high priest Jaddua, mentioned in this verse and verse 11, lived in the time of Darius Codomanus, who was overthrown by Alexander, while the regular history of the book appears to terminate early in the reign of Darius Nothus, it may be doubted which of the two is intended by "Darius the Persian." Dr. Hales thinks it is Darius Nothus. 27. "The dedication of the wall of Jerusalem."-It was a custom among the ancients to consecrate the walls of cities to their gods, and to consider them sacred in virtue of that consecration. We have no account of the dedication of the completed wall; but there is a particular account in Ovid's Fasti' of the sort of dedication which took place in laying the foundations of the walls of Rome by Romulus. We quote the passage in Massey's translation: "On a proper day they went their rounds, And with a plough mark'd out the city's bounds; New corn and soil fetch'd from the neighb'ring ground, Then to the gods the king addressed this prayer- O be propitious to my great design: 3 L 2 443 |