1 וְאֵלֶּהH428 הַכֹּהֲנִיםH3548 וְהַלְוִיִּםH3881 אֲשֶׁרH834 עָלוּH5927 עִםH5973 זְרֻבָּבֶלH2216 בֶּןH1121 שְׁאַלְתִּיאֵלH7597 וְיֵשׁוּעַH3442 שְׂרָיָהH8304 יִרְמְיָהH3414 עֶזְרָֽאH5830
2 אֲמַרְיָהH568 מַלּוּךְH4409 חַטּֽוּשׁH2407
3 שְׁכַנְיָהH7935 רְחֻםH7348 מְרֵמֹֽתH4822
4 עִדּוֹאH5714 גִנְּתוֹיH1599 אֲבִיָּֽהH29
5 מִיָּמִיןH4326 מַֽעַדְיָהH4573 בִּלְגָּֽהH1083
6 שְׁמַֽעְיָהH8098 וְיוֹיָרִיבH3114 יְדַֽעְיָֽהH3048
7 סַלּוּH5543 עָמוֹקH5987 חִלְקִיָּהH2518 יְדַֽעְיָהH3048 אֵלֶּהH428 רָאשֵׁיH7218 הַכֹּהֲנִיםH3548 וַאֲחֵיהֶםH251 בִּימֵיH3117 יֵשֽׁוּעַH3442
8 וְהַלְוִיִּםH3881 יֵשׁוּעַH3442 בִּנּוּיH1131 קַדְמִיאֵלH6934 שֵׁרֵבְיָהH8274 יְהוּדָהH3063 מַתַּנְיָהH4983 עַֽלH5921 הֻיְּדוֹתH1960 הוּאH1931 וְאֶחָֽיוH251
9 וּבַקְבֻּֽקְיָהH1229 וענוH6042 וְעֻנִּיH6042 אֲחֵיהֶםH251 לְנֶגְדָּםH5048 לְמִשְׁמָרֽוֹתH4931
10 וְיֵשׁוּעַH3442 הוֹלִידH3205 אֶתH853 יֽוֹיָקִיםH3113 וְיֽוֹיָקִיםH3113 הוֹלִידH3205 אֶתH853 אֶלְיָשִׁיבH475 וְאֶלְיָשִׁיבH475 אֶתH853 יוֹיָדָֽעH3111
11 וְיוֹיָדָעH3111 הוֹלִידH3205 אֶתH853 יוֹנָתָןH3129 וְיוֹנָתָןH3129 הוֹלִידH3205 אֶתH853 יַדּֽוּעַH3037
12 וּבִימֵיH3117 יֽוֹיָקִיםH3113 הָיוּH1961 כֹהֲנִיםH3548 רָאשֵׁיH7218 הָאָבוֹתH1 לִשְׂרָיָהH8304 מְרָיָהH4811 לְיִרְמְיָהH3414 חֲנַנְיָֽהH2608
13 לְעֶזְרָאH5830 מְשֻׁלָּםH4918 לַאֲמַרְיָהH568 יְהוֹחָנָֽןH3076
14 למלוכיH4409 לִמְלִיכוּH4409 יֽוֹנָתָןH3129 לִשְׁבַנְיָהH7645 יוֹסֵֽףH3130
15 לְחָרִםH2766 עַדְנָאH5733 לִמְרָיוֹתH4812 חֶלְקָֽיH2517
16 לעדיאH5714 לְעִדּוֹאH5714 זְכַרְיָהH2148 לְגִנְּתוֹןH1599 מְשֻׁלָּֽםH4918
17 לַאֲבִיָּהH29 זִכְרִיH2147 לְמִנְיָמִיןH4509 לְמוֹעַדְיָהH4153 פִּלְטָֽיH6408
18 לְבִלְגָּהH1083 שַׁמּוּעַH8051 לִֽשְׁמַעְיָהH8098 יְהוֹנָתָֽןH3083
19 וּלְיוֹיָרִיבH3114 מַתְּנַיH4982 לִֽידַֽעְיָהH3048 עֻזִּֽיH5813
20 לְסַלַּיH5543 קַלָּיH7040 לְעָמוֹקH5987 עֵֽבֶרH5677
21 לְחִלְקִיָּהH2518 חֲשַׁבְיָהH2811 לִֽידַֽעְיָהH3048 נְתַנְאֵֽלH5417
22 הַלְוִיִּםH3881 בִּימֵיH3117 אֶלְיָשִׁיבH475 יוֹיָדָעH3111 וְיוֹחָנָןH3110 וְיַדּוּעַH3037 כְּתוּבִיםH3789 רָאשֵׁיH7218 אָבוֹתH1 וְהַכֹּהֲנִיםH3548 עַלH5921 מַלְכוּתH4438 דָּרְיָוֶשׁH1867 הַפָּֽרְסִֽיH6542
23 בְּנֵיH1121 לֵוִיH3878 רָאשֵׁיH7218 הָֽאָבוֹתH1 כְּתוּבִיםH3789 עַלH5921 סֵפֶרH5612 דִּבְרֵיH1697 הַיָּמִיםH3117 וְעַדH5704 יְמֵיH3117 יֽוֹחָנָןH3110 בֶּןH1121 אֶלְיָשִֽׁיבH475
24 וְרָאשֵׁיH7218 הַלְוִיִּםH3881 חֲשַׁבְיָהH2811 שֵֽׁרֵבְיָהH8274 וְיֵשׁוּעַH3442 בֶּןH1121 קַדְמִיאֵלH6934 וַאֲחֵיהֶםH251 לְנֶגְדָּםH5048 לְהַלֵּלH1984 לְהוֹדוֹתH3034 בְּמִצְוַתH4687 דָּוִידH1732 אִישׁH376 הָאֱלֹהִיםH430 מִשְׁמָרH4929 לְעֻמַּתH5980 מִשְׁמָֽרH4929
25 מַתַּנְיָהH4983 וּבַקְבֻּֽקְיָהH1229 עֹבַדְיָהH5662 מְשֻׁלָּםH4918 טַלְמוֹןH2929 עַקּוּבH6126 שֹׁמְרִיםH8104 שֽׁוֹעֲרִיםH7778 מִשְׁמָרH4929 בַּאֲסֻפֵּיH624 הַשְּׁעָרִֽיםH8179
26 אֵלֶּהH428 בִּימֵיH3117 יוֹיָקִיםH3113 בֶּןH1121 יֵשׁוּעַH3442 בֶּןH1121 יוֹצָדָקH3136 וּבִימֵיH3117 נְחֶמְיָהH5166 הַפֶּחָהH6346 וְעֶזְרָאH5830 הַכֹּהֵןH3548 הַסּוֹפֵֽרH5608
27 וּבַחֲנֻכַּתH2598 חוֹמַתH2346 יְרוּשָׁלִַםH3389 בִּקְשׁוּH1245 אֶתH853 הַלְוִיִּםH3881 מִכָּלH3605 מְקוֹמֹתָםH4725 לַהֲבִיאָםH935 לִֽירוּשָׁלִָםH3389 לַעֲשֹׂתH6213 חֲנֻכָּהH2598 וְשִׂמְחָהH8057 וּבְתוֹדוֹתH8426 וּבְשִׁירH7892 מְצִלְתַּיִםH4700 נְבָלִיםH5035 וּבְכִנֹּרֽוֹתH3658
28 וַיֵּאָסְפוּH622 בְּנֵיH1121 הַמְשֹׁרְרִיםH7891 וּמִןH4480 הַכִּכָּרH3603 סְבִיבוֹתH5439 יְרוּשָׁלִַםH3389 וּמִןH4480 חַצְרֵיH2691 נְטֹפָתִֽיH5200
29 וּמִבֵּיתH1004 הַגִּלְגָּלH1537 וּמִשְּׂדוֹתH7704 גֶּבַעH1387 וְעַזְמָוֶתH5820 כִּיH3588 חֲצֵרִיםH2691 בָּנוּH1129 לָהֶםH1992 הַמְשֹׁרֲרִיםH7891 סְבִיבוֹתH5439 יְרוּשָׁלִָֽםH3389
30 וַיִּֽטַּהֲרוּH2891 הַכֹּהֲנִיםH3548 וְהַלְוִיִּםH3881 וַֽיְטַהֲרוּH2891 אֶתH853 הָעָםH5971 וְאֶתH853 הַשְּׁעָרִיםH8179 וְאֶֽתH853 הַחוֹמָֽהH2346
31 וָאַעֲלֶהH5927 אֶתH853 שָׂרֵיH8269 יְהוּדָהH3063 מֵעַלH5921 לַחוֹמָהH2346 וָאַעֲמִידָהH5975 שְׁתֵּיH8147 תוֹדֹתH8426 גְּדוֹלֹתH1419 וְתַהֲלֻכֹתH8418 לַיָּמִיןH3225 מֵעַלH5921 לַחוֹמָהH2346 לְשַׁעַרH8179 הָאַשְׁפֹּֽתH830
32 וַיֵּלֶךְH1980 אַחֲרֵיהֶםH310 הוֹשַׁעְיָהH1955 וַחֲצִיH2677 שָׂרֵיH8269 יְהוּדָֽהH3063
33 וַעֲזַרְיָהH5838 עֶזְרָאH5830 וּמְשֻׁלָּֽםH4918
34 יְהוּדָהH3063 וּבִנְיָמִןH1144 וּֽשְׁמַֽעְיָהH8098 וְיִרְמְיָֽהH3414
35 וּמִבְּנֵיH1121 הַכֹּהֲנִיםH3548 בַּחֲצֹצְרוֹתH2689 זְכַרְיָהH2148 בֶןH1121 יֽוֹנָתָןH3129 בֶּןH1121 שְׁמַֽעְיָהH8098 בֶּןH1121 מַתַּנְיָהH4983 בֶּןH1121 מִיכָיָהH4320 בֶּןH1121 זַכּוּרH2139 בֶּןH1121 אָסָֽףH623
36 וְֽאֶחָיוH251 שְֽׁמַעְיָהH8098 וַעֲזַרְאֵלH5832 מִֽלֲלַיH4450 גִּֽלֲלַיH1562 מָעַיH4597 נְתַנְאֵלH5417 וִֽיהוּדָהH3063 חֲנָנִיH2607 בִּכְלֵיH3627 שִׁירH7892 דָּוִידH1732 אִישׁH376 הָאֱלֹהִיםH430 וְעֶזְרָאH5830 הַסּוֹפֵרH5608 לִפְנֵיהֶֽםH6440
37 וְעַלH5921 שַׁעַרH8179 הָעַיִןH5869 וְנֶגְדָּםH5048 עָלוּH5927 עַֽלH5921 מַעֲלוֹתH4609 עִירH5892 דָּוִידH1732 בַּֽמַּעֲלֶהH4608 לַחוֹמָהH2346 מֵעַלH5921 לְבֵיתH1004 דָּוִידH1732 וְעַדH5704 שַׁעַרH8179 הַמַּיִםH4325 מִזְרָֽחH4217
38 וְהַתּוֹדָהH8426 הַשֵּׁנִיתH8145 הַהוֹלֶכֶתH1980 לְמוֹאלH4136 וַאֲנִיH589 אַחֲרֶיהָH310 וַחֲצִיH2677 הָעָםH5971 מֵעַלH5921 לְהַחוֹמָהH2346 מֵעַלH5921 לְמִגְדַּלH4026 הַתַּנּוּרִיםH8574 וְעַדH5704 הַחוֹמָהH2346 הָרְחָבָֽהH7342
39 וּמֵעַלH5921 לְשַֽׁעַרH8179 אֶפְרַיִםH669 וְעַלH5921 שַׁעַרH8179 הַיְשָׁנָהH3466 וְעַלH5921 שַׁעַרH8179 הַדָּגִיםH1709 וּמִגְדַּלH4026 חֲנַנְאֵלH2606 וּמִגְדַּלH4026 הַמֵּאָהH3968 וְעַדH5704 שַׁעַרH8179 הַצֹּאןH6629 וְעָמְדוּH5975 בְּשַׁעַרH8179 הַמַּטָּרָֽהH4307
40 וַֽתַּעֲמֹדְנָהH5975 שְׁתֵּיH8147 הַתּוֹדֹתH8426 בְּבֵיתH1004 הָאֱלֹהִיםH430 וַאֲנִיH589 וַחֲצִיH2677 הַסְּגָנִיםH5461 עִמִּֽיH5973
41 וְהַכֹּהֲנִיםH3548 אֶלְיָקִיםH471 מַעֲשֵׂיָהH4641 מִנְיָמִיןH4509 מִיכָיָהH4320 אֶלְיוֹעֵינַיH454 זְכַרְיָהH2148 חֲנַנְיָהH2608 בַּחֲצֹצְרֽוֹתH2689
42 וּמַעֲשֵׂיָהH4641 וּֽשְׁמַֽעְיָהH8098 וְאֶלְעָזָרH499 וְעֻזִּיH5813 וִֽיהוֹחָנָןH3076 וּמַלְכִּיָּהH4441 וְעֵילָםH5867 וָעָזֶרH5829 וַיַּשְׁמִיעוּH8085 הַמְשֹׁרְרִיםH7891 וְיִֽזְרַחְיָהH3156 הַפָּקִֽידH6496
43 וַיִּזְבְּחוּH2076 בַיּוֹםH3117 הַהוּאH1931 זְבָחִיםH2077 גְּדוֹלִיםH1419 וַיִּשְׂמָחוּH8055 כִּיH3588 הָאֱלֹהִיםH430 שִׂמְּחָםH8055 שִׂמְחָהH8057 גְדוֹלָהH1419 וְגַםH1571 הַנָּשִׁיםH802 וְהַיְלָדִיםH3206 שָׂמֵחוּH8055 וַתִּשָּׁמַעH8085 שִׂמְחַתH8057 יְרוּשָׁלִַםH3389 מֵרָחֽוֹקH7350
44 וַיִּפָּקְדוּH6485 בַיּוֹםH3117 הַהוּאH1931 אֲנָשִׁיםH376 עַלH5921 הַנְּשָׁכוֹתH5393 לָאוֹצָרוֹתH214 לַתְּרוּמוֹתH8641 לָרֵאשִׁיתH7225 וְלַמַּֽעַשְׂרוֹתH4643 לִכְנוֹסH3664 בָּהֶםH0 לִשְׂדֵיH7704 הֶעָרִיםH5892 מְנָאוֹתH4521 הַתּוֹרָהH8451 לַכֹּהֲנִיםH3548 וְלַלְוִיִּםH3881 כִּיH3588 שִׂמְחַתH8057 יְהוּדָהH3063 עַלH5921 הַכֹּהֲנִיםH3548 וְעַלH5921 הַלְוִיִּםH3881 הָעֹמְדִֽיםH5975
45 וַֽיִּשְׁמְרוּH8104 מִשְׁמֶרֶתH4931 אֱלֹֽהֵיהֶםH430 וּמִשְׁמֶרֶתH4931 הַֽטָּהֳרָהH2893 וְהַמְשֹׁרְרִיםH7891 וְהַשֹּׁעֲרִיםH7778 כְּמִצְוַתH4687 דָּוִידH1732 שְׁלֹמֹהH8010 בְנֽוֹH1121
46 כִּֽיH3588 בִימֵיH3117 דָוִידH1732 וְאָסָףH623 מִקֶּדֶםH6924 ראשH7218 רָאשֵׁיH7218 הַמְשֹׁרְרִיםH7891 וְשִׁירH7892 תְּהִלָּהH8416 וְהֹדוֹתH3034 לֵֽאלֹהִֽיםH430
47 וְכָלH3605 יִשְׂרָאֵלH3478 בִּימֵיH3117 זְרֻבָּבֶלH2216 וּבִימֵיH3117 נְחֶמְיָהH5166 נֹֽתְנִיםH5414 מְנָיוֹתH4521 הַמְשֹׁרְרִיםH7891 וְהַשֹּׁעֲרִיםH7778 דְּבַרH1697 יוֹםH3117 בְּיוֹמוֹH3117 וּמַקְדִּשִׁיםH6942 לַלְוִיִּםH3881 וְהַלְוִיִּםH3881 מַקְדִּשִׁיםH6942 לִבְנֵיH1121 אַהֲרֹֽןH175
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary 1 We have here the names, and little more than the names, of a great many priests and Levites, that were eminent in their day among the returned Jews. Why this register should be here inserted by Nehemiah does not appear, perhaps to keep in remembrance those good men, that posterity might know to whom they were beholden, under God, for the happy revival and re-establishment of their religion among them. Thus must we contribute towards the performance of that promise,
Pss 112:6,
The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. Let the memory of the just be blessed, be perpetuated. It is a debt we still owe to faithful ministers to
remember our guides, who have
spoken to us the word of God, Hebre 13:7. Perhaps it is intended to stir up their posterity, who succeeded them in the priest's office and inherited their dignities and preferments, to imitate their courage and fidelity. It is good to know what our godly ancestors and predecessors were, that we may learn thereby what we should be. We have here, 1. The names of the priests and Levites that came up with the first out of Babylon, when Jeshua was high priest. Jeremiah and Ezra are mentioned with the first (
Neh 12:1), but, it is supposed, not Jeremiah the prophet nor Ezra the scribe; the fame of the one was long before and that of the other some time after, though both of them were priests. Of one of the Levites it is said (
Neh 12:8) that he was
over the thanksgiving, that is, he was entrusted to see that the psalms, the thanksgiving psalms, were constantly sung in the temple in due time and manner. The Levites kept their turns in their watches, reliving one another as becomes brethren, fellow-labourers, and fellow-soldiers. 2. The succession of high priests during the Persian monarchy, from Jeshua (or Jesus), who was high priest at the time of the restoration, to Jaddua (or Jaddus), who was high priest when Alexander the Great, after the conquest of Tyre, came to Jerusalem, and paid great respect to this Jaddus, who met him in his pontifical habit, and showed him the prophecy of Daniel, which foretold his conquests. 3. The next generation of priests, who were chief men, and active in the days of Joiakim, sons of the first set. Note, We have reason to acknowledge God's favour to his church, and care of it, in that, as one generation of ministers passes away, another comes. All those who are mentioned
Neh 12:1, etc., as eminent in their generation, are again mentioned, though with some variation in several of the names,
Neh 12:12, etc., except two, as having sons that were likewise eminent in their generation - a rare instance, that twenty good fathers should leave behind them twenty good sons (for so many here are) that filled up their places. 4. The next generation of Levites, or rather a latter generation; for those priests who are mentioned flourished in the days of Joiakim the high priest, these Levites in the days of Eliashib,
Neh 12:22. Perhaps
then the forementioned families of the priests began to degenerate, and the third generation of them came short of the first two; but the work of God shall never fail for want of instruments. Then a generation of Levites was
raised up, who were
recorded chief of the fathers (
Neh 12:22), and were eminently serviceable to the interests of the church, and their service not the less acceptable either to God or to his people for their being Levites only, of the lower rank of ministers. Eliashib the high priest being allied to Tobiah (
Neh 13:4), the other priests grew remiss; but then the Levites appeared the more zealous, as appears by this, that those who were now employed in expounding (
Neh 8:7) and in praying (
Neh 9:4,
Neh 9:5) were all Levites, not priests, regard being had to their personal qualifications more than to their order. These Levites were some of them singers (
Neh 12:24),
to praise and give thanks, others of them porters (
Neh 12:25),
keeping the ward at the thresholds of the gates, and both according to the command of David. 27 We have read of the building of the wall of Jerusalem with a great deal of fear and trembling; we have here an account of the dedicating of it with a great deal of joy and triumph.
Those that sow in tears shall thus
reap. I. We must enquire what was the meaning of this dedication of the wall; we will suppose it to include the dedication of the city too (
continens pro contentothe thing containing for the thing contained ), and therefore it was not done till the city was pretty well replenished,
Neh 11:1. It was a solemn thanksgiving to God for his great mercy to them in the perfecting of this undertaking, of which they were the more sensible because of the difficulty and opposition they had met with in it. 2. They hereby devoted the city in a peculiar manner to God and to his honour, and took possession of it for him and in his name. All our cities, all our houses, must have holiness to the Lord written upon them; but this city was (so as never any other was) a
holy city, the
city of the great King (
Pss 48:2 and
Matt 5:35): it had been so ever since God chose it to put his name there, and as such, it being now refitted, it was afresh dedicated to God by the builders and inhabitants, in token of their acknowledgment that they were his tenants, and their desire that it might still be is and that the property of it might never be altered. Whatever is done for their safety, ease, and comfort, must be designed for God's honour and glory. 3. They hereby put the city and its walls under the divine protection, owning that
unless the Lord kept the city the walls were
built in vain. When this city was in possession of the Jebusites, they committed the guardianship of it to their gods, though they were blind and lame ones,
2Sam 5:6. With much more reason do the people of God commit it to his keeping who is all-wise and almighty. The superstitious founders of cities had an eye to the lucky position of the heavens (see Mr. Gregory's works, p. 29, etc.); but these pious founders had an eye to God only, to his providence, and not to fortune.
II. We must observe with what solemnity it was performed, under the direction of
Neh 1:1-
Neh 1:11. The Levites from all parts of the country were summoned to attend. The city must be dedicated to God, and therefore his ministers must be employed in the dedicating of it, and the surrender must pass through their hands. When those solemn feasts were over (ch. 8 and 9) they went home to their respective posts, to mind their cures in the country; but now their presence and assistance were again called for. 2. Pursuant to this summons, there was a general rendezvous of all the Levites,
Neh 12:28,
Neh 12:29. Observe in what method they proceeded. (1.) They
purified themselves, Neh 12:30. We are concerned to
cleanse our hands, and
purify our hearts, when any work for God is to pass through them. They purified themselves and then the people. Those that would be instrumental to sanctify others must sanctify themselves, and set themselves apart for God, with purity of mind and sincerity of intention. Then they purified
the gates and the wall. Then may we expect comfort when we are prepared to receive it.
To the pure all things are pure (
Titus 1:15); and, to those who are sanctified, houses and tables, and all their creature comforts and enjoyments, are sanctified,
1Tim 4:4,
1Tim 4:5. This purification was performed, it is probable, by sprinkling the
water of purifying (or of
separation, as it is called,
Num 19:9) on
themselves and the
people, the walls and the gates - a type of the blood of Christ, with which our consciences being
purged from dead works, we become fit to
serve the living God (
Hebre 9:14) and to be his care. (2.) The princes, priests, and Levites, walked round upon the wall in two companies, with musical instruments, to signify the dedication of it all to God, the whole circuit of it (
Neh 12:36); so that it is likely they sung psalms as they went along, to the praise and glory of God. This procession is here largely described. They had a rendezvous at one certain lace, where they divided themselves into two companies. Half of the princes, with several priests and Levites, went on the right hand, Ezra leading their van,
Neh 12:36. The other half of the princes and priests, who gave thanks likewise, went to the left hand, Nehemiah bringing up the rear,
Neh 12:38. At length both companies met in the temple, where they joined their thanksgivings,
Neh 12:40. The crowd of people, it is likely, walked on the ground, some within the wall and others without, one end of this ceremony being to affect them with the mercy they were giving thanks for, and to perpetuate the remembrance of it among them. Processions, for such purposes, have their use. (3.) The people
greatly rejoiced, Neh 12:43. While the princes, priests, and Levites, testified their joy and thankfulness by
great sacrifices, sound of trumpet, musical instruments, and songs of praise, the common people testified theirs by loud shouts, which were heard afar off, further than the more harmonious sound of their songs and music: and these shouts, coming from a sincere and hearty joy, are here taken notice of; for God overlooks not, but graciously accepts, the honest zealous services of mean people, though there is in them little of art and they are far from being fine. It is observed that
the women and children rejoiced; and their hosannas were not despised, but recorded to their praise. All that share in public mercies ought to join in public thanksgivings. The reason given is that
God had made them rejoice with great joy. He had given them both matter for joy and hearts to rejoice; his providence had made them safe and easy, and then his grace made them cheerful and thankful. The baffled opposition of their enemies, no doubt, added to their joy and mixed triumph with it. Great mercies call for the most solemn returns of praise,
in the courts of the Lord's house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem! 44 We have here an account of the remaining good effects of the universal joy that was at the dedication of the wall. When the solemnities of a thanksgiving day leave such impressions on ministers and people as that both are more careful and cheerful in doing their duty afterwards, then they are indeed acceptable to God and turn to a good account. So it was here. 1. The ministers were more careful than they had been of their work; the respect the people paid them upon this occasion encouraged them to diligence and watchfulness,
Neh 12:45.
The singers kept the ward of their God, attending in due time to the duty of their office; the
porters, too,
kept the ward of the purification, that is, they took care to preserve the purity of the temple by denying admission to those that were ceremonially unclean. When the joy of the Lord thus engages us to our duty, and enlarges us in it, it is then an earnest of that joy which, in concurrence with the perfection of holiness, will be our everlasting bliss. 2. The people were more careful than they had been of the maintenance of their ministers. The people, at the dedication of the wall, among other things which they made matter of their joy, rejoiced
for the priests and for the Levites that waited, Neh 12:44. They had a great deal of comfort in their ministers, and were glad of them. When they observed how diligently they waited, and what pains they took in their work, they rejoiced in them. Note, The surest way for ministers to recommend themselves to their people, and gain an interest in their affections, is
to wait on their ministry (
Roma 12:7), to be humble and industrious, and to mind their business. When these did so the people thought nothing too much to do for them, to encourage them. The law had provided then
their portions (
Neh 12:44), but what the better were they for that provision if what the law appointed them either was not duly collected or not justly paid to them? Now, (1.) Care is here taken for the collecting of their dues. They were modest, and would rather lose their right than call for it themselves. The people were many of them careless and would not bring their dues unless they were called upon; and therefore
some were appointed whose office it should be to gather into the treasuries,
out of the fields of the cities, the portions of the law for the priests and Levites (
Neh 12:44), that their portion might not be lost for want of being demanded. This is a piece of good service both to ministers and people, that the one may not come short of their maintenance nor the other of their duty. (2.) Care is taken that, being
gathered in, they might be duly
paid out, Neh 12:47. They gave the singers and porters their daily portion, over and above what was due to them as Levites; for we may suppose that when David and Solomon appointed them their work (
Neh 12:45,
Neh 12:46), above what was required from them as Levites, they settled a fund for their further encouragement. Let those that labour more abundantly in the word and doctrine be counted worthy of this double honour. As for the other Levites, the tithes, here called
the holy things, were duly set apart for them, out of which they paid the priests their tithe according to the law. Both are said to be
sanctified; when what is contributed, either voluntarily or by law, for the support of religion and the maintenance of the ministry, is given with an eye to God and his honour, it is sanctified, and shall be accepted of him accordingly, and it will
cause the blessing to rest on the house and all that is in it,
Ezek 44:30.