Nehemiah 11:36 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

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³⁶ And of the Levites ^H3881 were divisions ^H4256 in Judah, ^H3063 and in Benjamin. ^H1144

Cross Reference

Genesis 49:7 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

Cursed ^H779 be their anger, ^H639 for it was fierce; ^H5794 and their wrath, ^H5678 for it was cruel: ^H7185 I will divide ^H2505 them in Jacob, ^H3290 and scatter ^H6327 them in Israel. ^H3478

Then came near ^H5066 the heads ^H7218 of the fathers ^H1 of the Levites ^H3881 unto Eleazar ^H499 the priest, ^H3548 and unto Joshua ^H3091 the son ^H1121 of Nun, ^H5126 and unto the heads ^H7218 of the fathers ^H1 of the tribes ^H4294 of the children ^H1121 of Israel; ^H3478 And they spake ^H1696 unto them at Shiloh ^H7887 in the land ^H776 of Canaan, ^H3667 saying, ^H559 The LORD ^H3068 commanded ^H6680 by the hand ^H3027 of Moses ^H4872 to give ^H5414 us cities ^H5892 to dwell in, ^H3427 with the suburbs ^H4054 thereof for our cattle. ^H929 And the children ^H1121 of Israel ^H3478 gave ^H5414 unto the Levites ^H3881 out of their inheritance, ^H5159 at the commandment ^H6310 of the LORD, ^H3068 these cities ^H5892 and their suburbs. ^H4054 And the lot ^H1486 came out ^H3318 for the families ^H4940 of the Kohathites: ^H6956 and the children ^H1121 of Aaron ^H175 the priest, ^H3548 which were of the Levites, ^H3881 had by lot ^H1486 out of the tribe ^H4294 of Judah, ^H3063 and out of the tribe ^H4294 of Simeon, ^H8099 and out of the tribe ^H4294 of Benjamin, ^H1144 thirteen ^H7969 ^H6240 cities. ^H5892 And the rest ^H3498 of the children ^H1121 of Kohath ^H6955 had by lot ^H1486 out of the families ^H4940 of the tribe ^H4294 of Ephraim, ^H669 and out of the tribe ^H4294 of Dan, ^H1835 and out of the half ^H2677 tribe ^H4294 of Manasseh, ^H4519 ten ^H6235 cities. ^H5892 And the children ^H1121 of Gershon ^H1648 had by lot ^H1486 out of the families ^H4940 of the tribe ^H4294 of Issachar, ^H3485 and out of the tribe ^H4294 of Asher, ^H836 and out of the tribe ^H4294 of Naphtali, ^H5321 and out of the half ^H2677 tribe ^H4294 of Manasseh ^H4519 in Bashan, ^H1316 thirteen ^H7969 ^H6240 cities. ^H5892 The children ^H1121 of Merari ^H4847 by their families ^H4940 had out of the tribe ^H4294 of Reuben, ^H7205 and out of the tribe ^H4294 of Gad, ^H1410 and out of the tribe ^H4294 of Zebulun, ^H2074 twelve ^H8147 ^H6240 cities. ^H5892 And the children ^H1121 of Israel ^H3478 gave ^H5414 by lot ^H1486 unto the Levites ^H3881 these cities ^H5892 with their suburbs, ^H4054 as the LORD ^H3068 commanded ^H6680 by the hand ^H3027 of Moses. ^H4872 And they gave ^H5414 out of the tribe ^H4294 of the children ^H1121 of Judah, ^H3063 and out of the tribe ^H4294 of the children ^H1121 of Simeon, ^H8095 these cities ^H5892 which are here mentioned ^H7121 by name, ^H8034 Which the children ^H1121 of Aaron, ^H175 being of the families ^H4940 of the Kohathites, ^H6956 who were of the children ^H1121 of Levi, ^H3878 had: for theirs was the first ^H7223 ^H7223 lot. ^H1486 And they gave ^H5414 them the city ^H7151 of Arba ^H704 ^H7153 the father ^H1 of Anak, ^H6061 which city is Hebron, ^H2275 in the hill ^H2022 country of Judah, ^H3063 with the suburbs ^H4054 thereof round about ^H5439 it. But the fields ^H7704 of the city, ^H5892 and the villages ^H2691 thereof, gave ^H5414 they to Caleb ^H3612 the son ^H1121 of Jephunneh ^H3312 for his possession. ^H272 Thus they gave ^H5414 to the children ^H1121 of Aaron ^H175 the priest ^H3548 Hebron ^H2275 with her suburbs, ^H4054 to be a city ^H5892 of refuge ^H4733 for the slayer; ^H7523 and Libnah ^H3841 with her suburbs, ^H4054 And Jattir ^H3492 with her suburbs, ^H4054 and Eshtemoa ^H851 with her suburbs, ^H4054 And Holon ^H2473 with her suburbs, ^H4054 and Debir ^H1688 with her suburbs, ^H4054 And Ain ^H5871 with her suburbs, ^H4054 and Juttah ^H3194 with her suburbs, ^H4054 and Bethshemesh ^H1053 with her suburbs; ^H4054 nine ^H8672 cities ^H5892 out of those two ^H8147 tribes. ^H7626 And out of the tribe ^H4294 of Benjamin, ^H1144 Gibeon ^H1391 with her suburbs, ^H4054 Geba ^H1387 with her suburbs, ^H4054 Anathoth ^H6068 with her suburbs, ^H4054 and Almon ^H5960 with her suburbs; ^H4054 four ^H702 cities. ^H5892 All the cities ^H5892 of the children ^H1121 of Aaron, ^H175 the priests, ^H3548 were thirteen ^H7969 ^H6240 cities ^H5892 with their suburbs. ^H4054 And the families ^H4940 of the children ^H1121 of Kohath, ^H6955 the Levites ^H3881 which remained ^H3498 of the children ^H1121 of Kohath, ^H6955 even they had the cities ^H5892 of their lot ^H1486 out of the tribe ^H4294 of Ephraim. ^H669 For they gave ^H5414 them Shechem ^H7927 with her suburbs ^H4054 in mount ^H2022 Ephraim, ^H669 to be a city ^H5892 of refuge ^H4733 for the slayer; ^H7523 and Gezer ^H1507 with her suburbs, ^H4054 And Kibzaim ^H6911 with her suburbs, ^H4054 and Bethhoron ^H1032 with her suburbs; ^H4054 four ^H702 cities. ^H5892 And out of the tribe ^H4294 of Dan, ^H1835 Eltekeh ^H514 with her suburbs, ^H4054 Gibbethon ^H1405 with her suburbs, ^H4054 Aijalon ^H357 with her suburbs, ^H4054 Gathrimmon ^H1667 with her suburbs; ^H4054 four ^H702 cities. ^H5892 And out of the half ^H4276 tribe ^H4294 of Manasseh, ^H4519 Tanach ^H8590 with her suburbs, ^H4054 and Gathrimmon ^H1667 with her suburbs; ^H4054 two ^H8147 cities. ^H5892 All the cities ^H5892 were ten ^H6235 with their suburbs ^H4054 for the families ^H4940 of the children ^H1121 of Kohath ^H6955 that remained. ^H3498 And unto the children ^H1121 of Gershon, ^H1648 of the families ^H4940 of the Levites, ^H3881 out of the other half ^H2677 tribe ^H4294 of Manasseh ^H4519 they gave Golan ^H1474 in Bashan ^H1316 with her suburbs, ^H4054 to be a city ^H5892 of refuge ^H4733 for the slayer; ^H7523 and Beeshterah ^H1203 with her suburbs; ^H4054 two ^H8147 cities. ^H5892 And out of the tribe ^H4294 of Issachar, ^H3485 Kishon ^H7191 with her suburbs, ^H4054 Dabareh ^H1705 with her suburbs, ^H4054 Jarmuth ^H3412 with her suburbs, ^H4054 Engannim ^H5873 with her suburbs; ^H4054 four ^H702 cities. ^H5892 And out of the tribe ^H4294 of Asher, ^H836 Mishal ^H4861 with her suburbs, ^H4054 Abdon ^H5658 with her suburbs, ^H4054 Helkath ^H2520 with her suburbs, ^H4054 and Rehob ^H7340 with her suburbs; ^H4054 four ^H702 cities. ^H5892 And out of the tribe ^H4294 of Naphtali, ^H5321 Kedesh ^H6943 in Galilee ^H1551 with her suburbs, ^H4054 to be a city ^H5892 of refuge ^H4733 for the slayer; ^H7523 and Hammothdor ^H2576 with her suburbs, ^H4054 and Kartan ^H7178 with her suburbs; ^H4054 three ^H7969 cities. ^H5892 All the cities ^H5892 of the Gershonites ^H1649 according to their families ^H4940 were thirteen ^H7969 ^H6240 cities ^H5892 with their suburbs. ^H4054 And unto the families ^H4940 of the children ^H1121 of Merari, ^H4847 the rest ^H3498 of the Levites, ^H3881 out of the tribe ^H4294 of Zebulun, ^H2074 Jokneam ^H3362 with her suburbs, ^H4054 and Kartah ^H7177 with her suburbs, ^H4054 Dimnah ^H1829 with her suburbs, ^H4054 Nahalal ^H5096 with her suburbs; ^H4054 four ^H702 cities. ^H5892 And out of the tribe of Reuben, ^H7205 Bezer ^H1221 with her suburbs, and Jahazah ^H3096 with her suburbs, Kedemoth ^H6932 with her suburbs, and Mephaath ^H4158 with her suburbs; four ^H702 cities. ^H5892 And out of the tribe ^H4294 of Gad, ^H1410 Ramoth ^H7433 in Gilead ^H1568 with her suburbs, ^H4054 to be a city ^H5892 of refuge ^H4733 for the slayer; ^H7523 and Mahanaim ^H4266 with her suburbs, ^H4054 Heshbon ^H2809 with her suburbs, ^H4054 Jazer ^H3270 with her suburbs; ^H4054 four ^H702 cities ^H5892 in all. So all the cities ^H5892 for the children ^H1121 of Merari ^H4847 by their families, ^H4940 which were remaining ^H3498 of the families ^H4940 of the Levites, ^H3881 were by their lot ^H1486 twelve ^H8147 ^H6240 cities. ^H5892 All the cities ^H5892 of the Levites ^H3881 within ^H8432 the possession ^H272 of the children ^H1121 of Israel ^H3478 were forty ^H705 and eight ^H8083 cities ^H5892 with their suburbs. ^H4054 These cities ^H5892 were every one ^H5892 ^H5892 with their suburbs ^H4054 round about ^H5439 them: thus were all these cities. ^H5892 And the LORD ^H3068 gave ^H5414 unto Israel ^H3478 all the land ^H776 which he sware ^H7650 to give ^H5414 unto their fathers; ^H1 and they possessed ^H3423 it, and dwelt ^H3427 therein. And the LORD ^H3068 gave them rest ^H5117 round about, ^H5439 according to all that he sware ^H7650 unto their fathers: ^H1 and there stood ^H5975 not a man ^H376 of all their enemies ^H341 before ^H6440 them; the LORD ^H3068 delivered ^H5414 all their enemies ^H341 into their hand. ^H3027 There failed ^H5307 not ought ^H1697 of any good ^H2896 thing ^H1697 which the LORD ^H3068 had spoken ^H1696 unto the house ^H1004 of Israel; ^H3478 all came to pass. ^H935

1 Chronicles 6:54-81 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

Now these are their dwelling places ^H4186 throughout their castles ^H2918 in their coasts, ^H1366 of the sons ^H1121 of Aaron, ^H175 of the families ^H4940 of the Kohathites: ^H6956 for theirs was the lot. ^H1486 And they gave ^H5414 them Hebron ^H2275 in the land ^H776 of Judah, ^H3063 and the suburbs ^H4054 thereof round about ^H5439 it. But the fields ^H7704 of the city, ^H5892 and the villages ^H2691 thereof, they gave ^H5414 to Caleb ^H3612 the son ^H1121 of Jephunneh. ^H3312 And to the sons ^H1121 of Aaron ^H175 they gave ^H5414 the cities ^H5892 of Judah, namely, Hebron, ^H2275 the city of refuge, ^H4733 and Libnah ^H3841 with her suburbs, ^H4054 and Jattir, ^H3492 and Eshtemoa, ^H851 with their suburbs, ^H4054 And Hilen ^H2432 with her suburbs, ^H4054 Debir ^H1688 with her suburbs, ^H4054 And Ashan ^H6228 with her suburbs, ^H4054 and Bethshemesh ^H1053 with her suburbs: ^H4054 And out of the tribe ^H4294 of Benjamin; ^H1144 Geba ^H1387 with her suburbs, ^H4054 and Alemeth ^H5964 with her suburbs, ^H4054 and Anathoth ^H6068 with her suburbs. ^H4054 All their cities ^H5892 throughout their families ^H4940 were thirteen ^H7969 ^H6240 cities. ^H5892 And unto the sons ^H1121 of Kohath, ^H6955 which were left ^H3498 of the family ^H4940 of that tribe, ^H4294 were cities given out of the half ^H2677 tribe, ^H4294 namely, out of the half ^H4276 tribe of Manasseh, ^H4519 by lot, ^H1486 ten ^H6235 cities. ^H5892 And to the sons ^H1121 of Gershom ^H1647 throughout their families ^H4940 out of the tribe ^H4294 of Issachar, ^H3485 and out of the tribe ^H4294 of Asher, ^H836 and out of the tribe ^H4294 of Naphtali, ^H5321 and out of the tribe ^H4294 of Manasseh ^H4519 in Bashan, ^H1316 thirteen ^H7969 ^H6240 cities. ^H5892 Unto the sons ^H1121 of Merari ^H4847 were given by lot, ^H1486 throughout their families, ^H4940 out of the tribe ^H4294 of Reuben, ^H7205 and out of the tribe ^H4294 of Gad, ^H1410 and out of the tribe ^H4294 of Zebulun, ^H2074 twelve ^H8147 ^H6240 cities. ^H5892 And the children ^H1121 of Israel ^H3478 gave ^H5414 to the Levites ^H3881 these cities ^H5892 with their suburbs. ^H4054 And they gave ^H5414 by lot ^H1486 out of the tribe ^H4294 of the children ^H1121 of Judah, ^H3063 and out of the tribe ^H4294 of the children ^H1121 of Simeon, ^H8095 and out of the tribe ^H4294 of the children ^H1121 of Benjamin, ^H1144 these cities, ^H5892 which are called ^H7121 by their names. ^H8034 And the residue of the families ^H4940 of the sons ^H1121 of Kohath ^H6955 had cities ^H5892 of their coasts ^H1366 out of the tribe ^H4294 of Ephraim. ^H669 And they gave ^H5414 unto them, of the cities ^H5892 of refuge, ^H4733 Shechem ^H7927 in mount ^H2022 Ephraim ^H669 with her suburbs; ^H4054 they gave also Gezer ^H1507 with her suburbs, ^H4054 And Jokmeam ^H3361 with her suburbs, ^H4054 and Bethhoron ^H1032 with her suburbs, ^H4054 And Aijalon ^H357 with her suburbs, ^H4054 and Gathrimmon ^H1667 with her suburbs: ^H4054 And out of the half ^H4276 tribe ^H4294 of Manasseh; ^H4519 Aner ^H6063 with her suburbs, ^H4054 and Bileam ^H1109 with her suburbs, ^H4054 for the family ^H4940 of the remnant ^H3498 of the sons ^H1121 of Kohath. ^H6955 Unto the sons ^H1121 of Gershom ^H1647 were given out of the family ^H4940 of the half ^H2677 tribe ^H4294 of Manasseh, ^H4519 Golan ^H1474 in Bashan ^H1316 with her suburbs, ^H4054 and Ashtaroth ^H6252 with her suburbs: ^H4054 And out of the tribe ^H4294 of Issachar; ^H3485 Kedesh ^H6943 with her suburbs, ^H4054 Daberath ^H1705 with her suburbs, ^H4054 And Ramoth ^H7216 with her suburbs, ^H4054 and Anem ^H6046 with her suburbs: ^H4054 And out of the tribe ^H4294 of Asher; ^H836 Mashal ^H4913 with her suburbs, ^H4054 and Abdon ^H5658 with her suburbs, ^H4054 And Hukok ^H2712 with her suburbs, ^H4054 and Rehob ^H7340 with her suburbs: ^H4054 And out of the tribe ^H4294 of Naphtali; ^H5321 Kedesh ^H6943 in Galilee ^H1551 with her suburbs, ^H4054 and Hammon ^H2540 with her suburbs, ^H4054 and Kirjathaim ^H7156 with her suburbs. ^H4054 Unto the rest ^H3498 of the children ^H1121 of Merari ^H4847 were given out of the tribe ^H4294 of Zebulun, ^H2074 Rimmon ^H7417 with her suburbs, ^H4054 Tabor ^H8396 with her suburbs: ^H4054 And on the other side ^H5676 Jordan ^H3383 by Jericho, ^H3405 on the east side ^H4217 of Jordan, ^H3383 were given them out of the tribe ^H4294 of Reuben, ^H7205 Bezer ^H1221 in the wilderness ^H4057 with her suburbs, ^H4054 and Jahzah ^H3096 with her suburbs, ^H4054 Kedemoth ^H6932 also with her suburbs, ^H4054 and Mephaath ^H4158 with her suburbs: ^H4054 And out of the tribe ^H4294 of Gad; ^H1410 Ramoth ^H7216 in Gilead ^H1568 with her suburbs, ^H4054 and Mahanaim ^H4266 with her suburbs, ^H4054 And Heshbon ^H2809 with her suburbs, ^H4054 and Jazer ^H3270 with her suburbs. ^H4054

Commentary on Nehemiah 11 Matthew Henry Commentary

John Gill Keil & Delitzsch Robert Jamieson: Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Chapter 11

Jerusalem was walled round, but it was not as yet fully inhabited, and therefore was weak and despicable. Nehemiah's next care is to bring people into it; of that we have here an account.

I. The methods taken to replenish it (v. 1, 2).
II. The principal persons that resided there, of Judah and Benjamin (v. 3-9), of the priests and Levites (v. 10-19).
III. The several cities and villages of Judah and Benjamin that were peopled by the rest of their families (v. 20-36).

Neh 11:1-19

Jerusalem is called here the holy city (v. 1), because there the temple was, and that was the place God had chosen to put his name there; upon this account, one would think, the holy seed should all have chosen to dwell there and have striven for a habitation there; but, on the contrary, it seems they declined dwelling there,

1. Because a greater strictness of conversation was expected from the inhabitants of Jerusalem than from others, which they were not willing to come up to. Those who care not for being holy themselves are shy of dwelling in a holy city; they would not dwell in the New Jerusalem itself for that reason, but would wish to have a continuing city here upon earth. Or,
2. Because Jerusalem, of all places, was most hated by the heathen their neighbours, and against it their malicious designs were levelled, which made that the post of danger (as the post of honour usually is) and therefore they were not willing to expose themselves there. Fear of persecution and reproach, and of running themselves into trouble, keeps many out of the holy city, and makes them backward to appear for God and religion, not considering that, as Jerusalem is with a special malice threatened and insulted by its enemies, so it is with a special care protected by its God and made a quiet habitation, Isa. 33:20; Ps. 46:4, 5. Or,
3. Because it was more for their worldly advantage to dwell in the country. Jerusalem was no trading city, and therefore there was no money to be got there by merchandise, as there was in the country by corn and cattle. Note, All seek their own, not the things that are Jesus Christ's, Phil. 2:21. It is a general and just complaint that most people prefer their own wealth, credit, pleasure, ease, and safety, before the glory of God and the public good. People being thus backward to dwell at Jerusalem, now that it was poor, we are here told,
- I. By what means it was replenished.
  - 1. The rulers dwelt there, v. 1. That was the proper place for them to reside in, because there were set the thrones of judgment (Ps. 122:5), and thither, in all difficult matters, the people resorted with their last appeals. And if it were an instance of eminent affection to the house of God, zeal for the public good, and of faith, and holy courage, and self-denial, to dwell there at this time, the rulers would be examples of these to their inferiors. Their dwelling there would invite and encourage others to dwell there too. Magnates magnetes-the mighty are magnetic. When great men choose the holy city for their habitation their example brings holiness into reputation, and their zeal will provoke very many.
  - 2. There were some that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem, nobly foregoing their own secular interest for the public welfare, v. 2. It is upon record, to their honour, that when others were shy of venturing upon difficulty, loss, and danger, they sought the good of Jerusalem, because of the house of the Lord their God. Those shall prosper that thus love Zion, Ps. 122:6, 9. It is said, The people blessed them. They praised them; they prayed for them; they praised God for them. Many that do not appear forward themselves for the public good will yet give a good word to those that do. God and man will bless those that are public blessings, which should encourage us to be zealous in doing good.
  - 3. They, finding that yet there was room, concluded upon a review of their whole body to bring one in ten to dwell in Jerusalem; who they should be was determined by lot, the disposal whereof, all knew, was of the Lord. This would prevent strife, and would be a great satisfaction to those on whom the lot fell to dwell at Jerusalem, that they plainly saw God appointing the bounds of their habitation. They observed the proportion of one in ten, as we may suppose, to bring the balance between the city and country to a just and equal poise; so it seems to refer to the ancient rule of giving the tenth to God; and what is given to the holy city he reckons given to himself.
- II. By what persons it was replenished. A general account is here given of the inhabitants of Jerusalem because the governors of Judah looked upon them as their strength in the Lord of hosts their God, and valued them accordingly, Zec. 12:5.
  - 1. Many of the children of Judah and Benjamin dwelt there; for, originally, part of the city law in the lot of one of those tribes and part in that of the other; but the greater part was in the lot of Benjamin, and therefore here we find of the children of Judah only 468 families in Jerusalem (v. 6), but of Benjamin 928, v. 7, 8. Thus small were its beginnings, but afterwards, before our Saviour's time, it grew much more populous. Those of Judah all descended from Perez, or Pharez, that son of Judah of whom, as concerning the flesh, Christ came. And, though the Benjamites were more in number, yet of the men of Judah it is said (v. 6) that they were valiant men, fit for service, and able to defend the city in case of an attack. Judah has not lost its ancient character of a lion's whelp, bold and daring. Of the Benjamites that dwelt in Jerusalem we are here told who was overseer, and who was second, v. 9. For it is as necessary for a people to have good order kept up among themselves as to be fortified against the attacks of their enemies from abroad, to have good magistrates as to have good soldiers.
  - 2. The priests and Levites did many of them settle at Jerusalem; where else should men that were holy to God dwell, but in the holy city?
    - (1.) Most of the priests, we may suppose, dwelt there, for their business lay where the temple was. Of those that did the work of the house in their courses here were 822 of one family, 242 of another, and 128 of another, v. 12-14. It was well that those labourers were not few. It is said of some of them that they were mighty men of valour (v. 14); it was necessary that they should be so, for the priesthood was not only a work, which required might, but a warfare, which required valour, especially now. Of one of these priests it is said that he was the son of one of the great men. It was no disparagement to the greatest man they had to have his son in the priesthood; he might magnify his office, for his office did not in the least diminish him.
    - (2.) Some of the Levites also came and dwelt at Jerusalem, yet but few in comparison, 284 in all (v. 18), with 172 porters (v. 19), for much of their work was to teach the good knowledge of God up and down the country, for which purpose they were to be scattered in Israel. As many as there was occasion for attended at Jerusalem; the rest were doing good elsewhere.
      - [1.] It is said of one of the Levites that he had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God, v. 16. The priests were chief managers of the business within the temple gates; but this Levite was entrusted with the secular concerns of God's house, that were in ordine ad spiritualia-subservient to its spiritual concerns, the collecting of the contributions, the providing of materials for the temple service, and the like, which it was necessary to oversee, else the inward business would have been starved and have stood still. Those who take care of the ta exoµthe outward concerns of the church, the serving of its tables, are as necessary in their place as those who take care of its ta esoµits inward concerns, who give themselves to the word and prayer.
      - [2.] It is said of another that he was the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer. Probably he had a good ear and a good voice, and was a scientific singer, and therefore was chosen to lead the psalm. He was precentor in the temple. Observe, Thanksgiving is necessary in prayer; they should go together; giving thanks for former mercies is a becoming way of begging further mercies. And care should be taken in public service that every thing be done in the best manner, decently and in good order- in prayer, that one speak and the rest join-in singing, that one begin and the rest follow.

Neh 11:20-36

Having given an account of the principal persons that dwelt in Jerusalem (a larger account of whom he had before, 1 Chr. 9:2, etc.), Nehemiah, in these verses, gives us some account of the other cities, in which dwelt the residue of Israel, v. 20. It was requisite that Jerusalem should be replenished, yet not so as to drain the country. The king himself is served of the field, which will do little service if there be not hands to manage it. Let there therefore be no strife, no envy, no contempt, no ill will, between the inhabitants of the cities and those of the villages; both are needful, both useful, and neither can be spared.

1. The Nethinims, the posterity of the Gibeonites, dwelt in Ophel, which was upon the wall of Jerusalem (ch. 3:26), because they were to do the servile work of the temple, which therefore they must be posted near to, that they might be ready to attend, v. 21.
2. Though the Levites were dispersed through the cities of Judah, yet they had an overseer who resided in Jerusalem, superior of their order and their provincial, to whom they applied for direction, who took care of their affairs and took cognizance of their conduct, whether they did their duty, v. 22.
3. Some of the singers were appointed to look after the necessary repairs of the temple, being ingenious men, and having leisure between their hours of service; they were over the business of the house of God, v. 22. And, it seems, the king of Persia had such a kindness for their office that he allotted a particular maintenance for them, besides what belonged to them as Levites, v. 23.
4. Here is one that was the king's commissioner at Jerusalem. He was of the posterity of Zerah (v. 24); for of that family of Judah there were some new settled in Jerusalem, and not all of Pharez, as appears by that other catalogue, 1 Chr. 9:6. He is said to be at the king's hand, or on the king's part, in all matters concerning the people, to determine controversies that arose between the king's officers and his subjects, to see that what was due to the king from the people was duly paid in and what was allowed by the king for the temple service was duly paid out, and happy it was for the Jews that one of themselves was in this post.
5. Here is an account of the villages, or country towns, which were inhabited by the residue of Israel-the towns in which the children of Judah dwelt (v. 25-30), those that were inhabited by the children of Benjamin (v. 31-35), and divisions for the Levites among both, v. 36. We will now suppose them safe and easy, though few and poor, but by the blessing of God they were likely to increase in wealth and power, and they would have been more likely if there had not been that general profaneness among them, and lukewarmness in religion, with which they were charged in God's name by the prophet Malachi, who, it is supposed, prophesied about this time, and in whom prophecy ceased for some ages, till it revived in the great prophet and his forerunner.

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