584 lines
25 KiB
Plaintext
584 lines
25 KiB
Plaintext
|
<HTML>
|
||
|
|
<HEAD>
|
||
|
|
<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Nehemiah, Chapter VII].</TITLE>
|
||
|
|
<meta name="aesop" content="information">
|
||
|
|
<meta name="description" content=
|
||
|
|
"This site is for those friends and family members who may or may not know Our Lord Jesus Christ, and if not, they may come to know Our Lord through His Prophets."> <meta name="author" content="Brian Duncalfe">
|
||
|
|
<meta name="keywords" content=
|
||
|
|
"Prophecy, Rapture,hope,bible map,bible maps, God, tribulation,Second Coming,Christ,large print bible,commentary,complete">
|
||
|
|
</HEAD>
|
||
|
|
<body background="../sueback.jpg" bgproperties="fixed" >
|
||
|
|
<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
|
||
|
|
on the Whole Bible</h1>
|
||
|
|
<h3><a href="http://www.biblesnet.com" target="_blank">Back to Biblesnet.com Home Page</a>
|
||
|
|
</h3>
|
||
|
|
</center>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<HR>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
|
||
|
|
<TR>
|
||
|
|
<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
|
||
|
|
[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
|
||
|
|
[<A HREF="MHC16006.HTM">Previous</A>]
|
||
|
|
[<A HREF="MHC16008.HTM">Next</A>]<BR>
|
||
|
|
<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
|
||
|
|
Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1708)
|
||
|
|
</TD></TR></TABLE>
|
||
|
|
<HR>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<!-- (Begin Body) -->
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<CENTER>
|
||
|
|
<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>N E H E M I A H</B></FONT>
|
||
|
|
<BR>
|
||
|
|
<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. VII.</FONT>
|
||
|
|
<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
|
||
|
|
</CENTER>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=-1>
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The success of one good design for God and our generation should
|
||
|
|
encourage us to proceed and form some other; Nehemiah did so, having
|
||
|
|
fortified Jerusalem with gates and walls, his next care is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. To see the city well kept,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+7:1-4">ver. 1-4</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. To see it well peopled, in order to which he here reviews and calls
|
||
|
|
over the register of the children of the captivity, the families that
|
||
|
|
returned at first, and records it,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+7:5-73">ver. 5-73</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
It is the same, in effect, with that which we had,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+2:1-62">Ezra ii.</A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
What use he made of it we shall find afterwards, when he brought one of
|
||
|
|
ten to live in Jerusalem,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+11:1"><I>ch.</I> xi. 1</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
</FONT>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_1"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_2"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_3"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_4"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Completion of the Wall.</I></FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 445.</TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>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 <I>was</I> 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 <I>them:</I> and appoint watches of the
|
||
|
|
inhabitants of Jerusalem, every one in his watch, and every one
|
||
|
|
<I>to be</I> over against his house.
|
||
|
|
4 Now the city <I>was</I> large and great: but the people <I>were</I> few
|
||
|
|
therein, and the houses <I>were</I> not builded.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
God saith concerning his church
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+62:6">Isa. lxii. 6</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem!</I> This is
|
||
|
|
Nehemiah's care here; for dead walls, without living watchmen, are but
|
||
|
|
a poor defence to a city.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. He appointed <I>the porters, singers, and Levites,</I> in their
|
||
|
|
places to their work. This is meant of their work in general, which was
|
||
|
|
to attend the temple service; it had been neglected in some degree, but
|
||
|
|
now was revived. God's worship is the defence of a place, and his
|
||
|
|
ministers, when they mind their duty, are watchmen on the walls. Or, in
|
||
|
|
particular, he ordered them to be ready against the wall was to be
|
||
|
|
dedicated, that they might perform that service in an orderly and
|
||
|
|
solemn manner; and the dedication of it was its strength. That is
|
||
|
|
likely to be beneficial to us which is devoted to God.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. He appointed two governors or consuls, to whom he committed the
|
||
|
|
care of the city, and gave them in charge to provide for the public
|
||
|
|
peace and safety. Hanani, his brother, who came to him with the tidings
|
||
|
|
of the desolations of Jerusalem, was one, a man of approved integrity
|
||
|
|
and affection to his country; the other was Hananiah, who had been
|
||
|
|
ruler of the palace: for he that has approved himself faithful in less
|
||
|
|
shall be entrusted with more. Of this Hananiah it is said that he was a
|
||
|
|
<I>faithful man and one that feared God above many,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+7:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Note,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. Among those who fear God truly there are some who fear him greatly,
|
||
|
|
and excel others in the expressions and instances of that fear; and
|
||
|
|
they are worthy a double portion of that honour which is due to those
|
||
|
|
that <I>fear the Lord,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+15:4">Ps. xv. 4</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
There were many in Jerusalem that feared God, but this good man was
|
||
|
|
more eminent for religion and serious godliness than any.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. Those that fear God must evidence it by their being faithful to all
|
||
|
|
men and universally conscientious.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. God's Jerusalem is then likely to flourish when those rule in it,
|
||
|
|
and have charge of it, who excel in virtue, and are eminent both for
|
||
|
|
godliness and honesty. It is supposed, by some, that Nehemiah was now
|
||
|
|
about to return to the Persian court to have his commission renewed,
|
||
|
|
and that he left these two worthy men in charge with the affairs of the
|
||
|
|
city in his absence. Good governors, when and where they cannot act
|
||
|
|
themselves, must be very careful whom they depute.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
III. He gave orders about the shutting of the gates and the guarding of
|
||
|
|
the walls,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+7:3,4"><I>v.</I> 3, 4</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
See here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. What the present state of Jerusalem was. The city, in compass, was
|
||
|
|
large and great. The walls enclosed the same ground as formerly; but
|
||
|
|
much of it lay waste, for the houses were not built, few at least in
|
||
|
|
comparison with what had been; so that Nehemiah walled the city in
|
||
|
|
faith, and with an eye to that promise of the replenishing of it which
|
||
|
|
God had lately made by the prophet,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+8:3-8">Zech. viii. 3</A>,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
&c. Though the people were now few, he believed they would be
|
||
|
|
multiplied, and therefore built the walls so as to make room for them;
|
||
|
|
had he not depended upon this he might have thought walls without a
|
||
|
|
city as great a reproach as a city without walls.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. What was the care of Nehemiah for it. He ordered the rulers of the
|
||
|
|
city themselves,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) To stand by, and see the city-gates shut up and barred every
|
||
|
|
night; for in vain had they a wall if they were careless of their
|
||
|
|
gates.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) To take care that they should not be opened in the morning till
|
||
|
|
they could see that all was clear and quiet.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) To set sentinels upon the walls, or elsewhere, at convenient
|
||
|
|
distances, who should, in case of the approach of the enemy, give
|
||
|
|
timely notice to the city of the danger; and, as it came to their turn
|
||
|
|
to watch, they must post themselves <I>over against their own
|
||
|
|
houses,</I> because of them, it might be presumed, they would be in a
|
||
|
|
particular manner careful. The public safety depends upon every one's
|
||
|
|
particular care to guard himself and his own family against sin, that
|
||
|
|
common enemy. It is every one's interest to watch, but many understand
|
||
|
|
not their own interest; it is therefore incumbent upon magistrates to
|
||
|
|
appoint watches. And as this people had lately found God with them in
|
||
|
|
their building (else they would have built in vain), so now that the
|
||
|
|
wall was built, no doubt, they were made sensible that <I>except the
|
||
|
|
Lord kept the city the watchman waked but in vain,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+127:1">Ps. cxxvii. 1</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_5"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_6"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_7"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_8"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_9"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_10"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_11"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_12"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_13"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_14"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_15"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_16"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_17"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_18"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_19"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_20"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_21"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_22"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_23"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_24"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_25"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_26"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_27"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_28"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_29"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_30"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_31"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_32"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_33"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_34"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_35"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_36"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_37"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_38"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_39"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_40"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_41"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_42"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_43"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_44"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_45"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_46"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_47"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_48"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_49"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_50"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_51"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_52"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_53"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_54"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_55"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_56"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_57"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_58"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_59"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_60"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_61"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_62"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_63"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_64"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_65"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_66"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_67"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_68"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_69"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_70"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_71"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_72"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ne7_73"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Register of the Captives.</I></FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 445.</TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>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 <I>are</I> 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, Raamiah,
|
||
|
|
Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah.
|
||
|
|
The number, <I>I say,</I> of the men of the people of Israel <I>was
|
||
|
|
this;</I>
|
||
|
|
8 The children of Parosh, two thousand a 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 <I>and</I> 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, 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, a hundred and twelve.
|
||
|
|
25 The children of Gibeon, ninety and five.
|
||
|
|
26 The men of Beth-lehem and Netophah, a hundred fourscore and
|
||
|
|
eight.
|
||
|
|
27 The men of Anathoth, a hundred twenty and eight.
|
||
|
|
28 The men of Beth-azmaveth, forty and two.
|
||
|
|
29 The men of Kirjath-jearim, 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, a hundred and twenty and two.
|
||
|
|
32 The men of Beth-el and Ai, a 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, <I>and</I> of
|
||
|
|
the children of Hodevah, seventy and four.
|
||
|
|
44 The singers: the children of Asaph, a 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, a 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.
|
||
|
|
60 All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants,
|
||
|
|
<I>were</I> three hundred ninety and two.
|
||
|
|
61 And these <I>were</I> they which went up <I>also</I> from Tel-melah,
|
||
|
|
Tel-haresha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer: but they could not show
|
||
|
|
their father's house, nor their seed, whether they <I>were</I> 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 <I>one</I> of the daughters
|
||
|
|
of Barzillai the Gileadite to wife, and was called after their
|
||
|
|
name.
|
||
|
|
64 These sought their register <I>among</I> those that were reckoned
|
||
|
|
by genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were they, as
|
||
|
|
polluted, put from the priesthood.
|
||
|
|
65 And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat
|
||
|
|
of the most holy things, till there stood <I>up</I> a priest with Urim
|
||
|
|
and Thummim.
|
||
|
|
66 The whole congregation together <I>was</I> forty and two thousand
|
||
|
|
three hundred and threescore,
|
||
|
|
67 Beside their manservants and their maidservants, of whom
|
||
|
|
<I>there were</I> 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 <I>Their</I> 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 <I>some</I> 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 <I>that</I> which the rest of the people gave <I>was</I> 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 <I>some</I> of the people, and the Nethinims, and all
|
||
|
|
Israel, dwelt in their cities; and when the seventh month came,
|
||
|
|
the children of Israel <I>were</I> in their cities.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
We have here another good project of Nehemiah's; for wise and zealous
|
||
|
|
men will be always contriving something or other for the glory of God
|
||
|
|
and the edification of his church. He knew very well that the safety of
|
||
|
|
a city, under God, depends more upon the number and valour of the
|
||
|
|
inhabitants than upon the height or strength of its walls; and
|
||
|
|
therefore, observing that the people were few that dwelt in it, he
|
||
|
|
thought fit to take an account of the people, that he might find what
|
||
|
|
families had formerly had their settlement in Jerusalem, but were now
|
||
|
|
removed into the country, that he might bring them back, and what
|
||
|
|
families could in any other way be influenced by their religion, or by
|
||
|
|
their business, to come and rebuild the houses in Jerusalem and dwell
|
||
|
|
in them. So little reason have we to wish that we may be placed alone
|
||
|
|
in the earth, or in Jerusalem itself, that much of our safety and
|
||
|
|
comfort depends upon our neighbours and friends; the more the stronger,
|
||
|
|
the more the merrier. It is the wisdom of the governors of a nation to
|
||
|
|
keep the balance even between the city and country, that the metropolis
|
||
|
|
be not so extravagantly large as to drain and impoverish the country,
|
||
|
|
nor yet so weak as not to be able to protect it. Now observe,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. Whence this good design of Nehemiah's came. He owns, <I>My God put
|
||
|
|
it into my heart,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+7:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Note, Whatever good motion is in our minds, either prudent or pious, we
|
||
|
|
must acknowledge it to come from God. It was he that <I>put it into our
|
||
|
|
hearts;</I> for every good gift and every good work are from above. He
|
||
|
|
gives knowledge; he gives grace; all is of him, and therefore all must
|
||
|
|
be to him. What is done by human prudence must be ascribed to the
|
||
|
|
direction of divine Providence; he that teaches the husbandman his
|
||
|
|
discretion
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+28:26">Isa. xxviii. 26</A>)
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
teaches the statesman his.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. What method he took in prosecution of it.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. He called the rulers together, and the people, that he might have an
|
||
|
|
account of the present state of their families--their number and
|
||
|
|
strength, and where they were settled. It is probable that when he
|
||
|
|
summoned them to come together he ordered them to bring such an account
|
||
|
|
along with them out of their several districts. And I doubt they were
|
||
|
|
not so many but that it might be soon done.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He reviewed the old <I>register of the genealogy of those who came
|
||
|
|
up at the first,</I> and compared the present accounts with that; and
|
||
|
|
here we have the repetition of that out of Ezra
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The title is the same here
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+7:6,7"><I>v.</I> 6, 7</A>)
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
as there
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+7:1,2"><I>v.</I> 1, 2</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>These are the children of the province,</I> &c. Two things are here
|
||
|
|
repeated and recorded a second time from thence--the names and numbers
|
||
|
|
of their several families, and their oblations to the service of the
|
||
|
|
temple. The repetition of these accounts may intimate to us the delight
|
||
|
|
which the great God is pleased to take in the persons, families, and
|
||
|
|
services of his spiritual Israel, and the particular notice he takes of
|
||
|
|
them. He knows those that are his, knows them all, knows them by name,
|
||
|
|
has his eye on the register of those children of the captivity, and
|
||
|
|
does all according to the ancient counsel of his will concerning
|
||
|
|
them.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) Here is an account of the heads of the several families that first
|
||
|
|
came up,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+7:6-69"><I>v.</I> 6-69</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
As to this,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] Though it seem of little use to us now, yet then it was of great
|
||
|
|
use, to compare what they had been with what they now were. We may
|
||
|
|
suppose they were much increased by this time; but it would do well for
|
||
|
|
them to remember their small beginnings, that they might acknowledge
|
||
|
|
God in multiplying their families and building them up. By this means
|
||
|
|
likewise their genealogies would be preserved, and the distinction of
|
||
|
|
their families kept up, till the Messiah should come, and then an end
|
||
|
|
be put to all their genealogies, which were preserved for his sake, but
|
||
|
|
afterwards were endless. But,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] There are many differences in the numbers between this catalogue
|
||
|
|
and that in Ezra. Most of them indeed are exactly the same, and some
|
||
|
|
others within a very few under or over (one or two perhaps); and
|
||
|
|
therefore I cannot think, as some do, that that was the number of these
|
||
|
|
families at their first coming and this as they were now, which was at
|
||
|
|
least forty years after (some make it much more); for we cannot suppose
|
||
|
|
so many families to be not at all, or but little, altered in their
|
||
|
|
numbers in all that time; therefore what differences there are we may
|
||
|
|
suppose to arise either from the mistakes of transcribers, which easily
|
||
|
|
happen in numbers, or from the diversity of the copies from which they
|
||
|
|
were taken. Or perhaps one was the account of them when they set out
|
||
|
|
from Babylon with Zerubbabel, the other when they came to Jerusalem.
|
||
|
|
The sum totals are all just the same there and here, except of the
|
||
|
|
singing-men and singing-women, which there are 200, here 245. These
|
||
|
|
were not of such importance as that they should keep any strict account
|
||
|
|
of them.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) Here is an account of the offerings which were given towards the
|
||
|
|
work of God,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+7:70-72"><I>v.</I> 70</A>,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
&c. This differs much from that in
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+2:68,69">Ezra ii. 68, 69</A>,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and it may be questioned whether it refers to the same contribution;
|
||
|
|
here the tirshatha, or chief governor, who there was not mentioned,
|
||
|
|
begins the offering; and the single sum mentioned there exceeds all
|
||
|
|
those here put together; yet it is probable that it was the same, but
|
||
|
|
that followed one copy of the lists, this another; for the
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+7:73,Ezr+2:70,3:1">last verse</A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
is the same here that it was
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+7:73,Ezr+2:70,3:1">Ezra ii. 70, adding <I>ch.</I> iii. 1</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Blessed be God that our faith and hope are not built upon the niceties
|
||
|
|
of names and numbers, genealogy and chronology, but on the great things
|
||
|
|
of the law and gospel. Whatever is given to the work of God, he is not
|
||
|
|
unrighteous to forget it; nor shall even a cup of cold water, wherewith
|
||
|
|
he is honoured, go without its reward.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<!-- (End Body) -->
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<HR>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
|
||
|
|
<TR>
|
||
|
|
<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
|
||
|
|
[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
|
||
|
|
[<A HREF="MHC16006.HTM">Previous</A>]
|
||
|
|
[<A HREF="MHC16008.HTM">Next</A>]<BR>
|
||
|
|
<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
|
||
|
|
Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1708)
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
<HR>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
|
||
|
|
<TR>
|
||
|
|
<TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM">
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<!--Matthew_Henry's_Commentary_on_the_Whole_Bible:_Nehemiah_VII.--><a href="http://www.biblesnet.com" target="_blank"><b>Back to Bibles Net . Com - Online Christian Library </b></a><br>
|
||
|
|
<a href="http://biblesnet.com/download.html" target="_blank"><br>
|
||
|
|
<b>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Free Download</b></a><br>
|
||
|
|
<br>
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://biblesnet.com/contactus.html" target="_blank"><strong>Contact Us </strong></A><br>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
</TD></TR></TABLE>
|
||
|
|
<HR>
|
||
|
|
</BODY>
|
||
|
|
</HTML>
|