(12-26) List of representatives of Zerubbabel’s priests in the days of Joiakim; to which is added an account of the Levites in his day. Between these there is an interpolation (Nehemiah 12:22-23). read more
CHAPTER 12 1. Priests and Levites at the time of the return under Zerubbabel and Joshua (Nehemiah 12:1-9 ) 2. The descendants of Joshua, the high priest (Nehemiah 12:10-11 ) 3. The heads of the priestly houses in the time of Joiakim (Nehemiah 12:12-21 ) 4. Heads of Levitical houses (Nehemiah 12:22-26 ) 5. The dedication of the walls (Nehemiah 12:27-43 ) 6. Provisions for the priests and Levites, and other temple officials (Nehemiah 12:44-47 ) Nehemiah 12:1-9 . The names of the... read more
PRIESTS AND LEVITES (vv. 1-26) In these verses God sees fit to list the names of the priests and Levites who came to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel in the first return for the rebuilding of the city. Ezra refers to these in chapter 2 of his book, but God is concerned to express His own approval of every individual who is exercised to help in recovery of the testimony of His truth in times when failure has resulted in general apathy. The priests are listed first (vv. 10-7) and the Levites in... read more
INTERNAL REGULATIONS A NEW GENEALOGICAL RECORD (Nehemiah 7:0 ) The need for this assignment of duty to the two men named (Nehemiah 7:2 ), is not apparent unless Nehemiah contemplated a return to Persia. Later it will be seen that such return took place, but whether at this time or not, is not clear. To “fear God above many,” as Hananiah did, is a great commendation. It was customary to open the gates of a city at sunrise, but to do so in this case before the inhabitants were well awake and... read more
Nehemiah 12:0 [This chapter is made up of two portions. From Rev Neh 12:1-26 it mainly consists of lists of the leading priests and Levites at different periods. At verse 27 Nehemiah commences to give an account of the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem. It seems strange (Speaker's Commentary) that the wall should not have been dedicated immediately after its completion. But the nexus of the remainder of this chapter with the next, and the date given in chap.Revelation 13:6; Revelation 13:6 ... read more
It should seem that the service of the gates, appointed by David, the people of the captivity were anxious to revive. But how it was performed, or what particular service made use of, is not known. read more
Scribe. Could these records have any greater authority than Nehemias himself? It seems, therefore, that this had been added by a later hand, whose testimony is perfectly authentic and inspired. (Calmet) --- Nehemias might also refer to some records which he, or some other, had drawn up. (Haydock) read more
1-26 It is a debt we owe to faithful ministers, to remember our guides, who have spoken to us the word of God. It is good to know what our godly predecessors were, that we may learn what we should be. read more
Nehemiah 12 THE FIRST 26 verses are occupied with further genealogical records, going back to the days of Zerubbabel and Jeshua the high priest. In verse Neh_12:10 , we learn that a grandson of Jeshua was Eliashib, who presently became high priest, and who had a son named, Joiada. These two are again mentioned in verse Neh_12:22 , and more concerning them appears in Nehemiah 13.0 . In the remaining verses of the chapter, though many names are mentioned, it is not a matter of genealogy but... read more
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John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 12:1-47
The Dedication of the Wall of Jerusalem1. The priests] The names in Nehemiah 12:1-7 likewise appear with some variations in Nehemiah 10:3-8 see also Ezra 2:36-39. 8. The Levites] cp. Nehemiah 10:9-14. Over the thanksgiving] RM ’over the choirs.’10. Jeshua] The high priest who returned with Zerubbabel. The succession of high priests is carried down to Jaddua, who was contemporary with Alexander the Great, so that the six generations cover the period from 536 to about 340. Eliashib the grandson... read more