1. Preparations for the dedication 12:27-30Nehemiah enlisted Levites from all over Judah to guarantee that the dedication service would be properly grand. The people separated from uncleanness as they anticipated the sacrifices and worship that would take place. read more
C. The Dedication of the Wall 12:27-47This portion of the book resumes the historical narrative in chronological order from Nehemiah 11:2 where it stopped. Probably the dedication took place soon after the covenant renewal ceremonies (chs. 8-10). read more
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
(27-43) The dedication of the wall. Henceforth Nehemiah speaks in his own person. read more
(30) Purified themselves.—Before consecration to God there must be purification from defilement. It is made emphatic that both priests and Levites purified themselves, that is, by offerings and ablutions (comp. 2 Chronicles 29:15; Ezra 6:20): the gates and the wall by being sprinkled. read more
BEGINNINGSNehemiah 12:27-47A CURIOUS feature of the history of the restoration of Israel already met with several times is postponement. Thus in the days of Cyrus. Zerubbabel leads up an expedition for the express purpose of building the temple at Jerusalem, but the work is not executed until the reign of Darius. Again, Ezra brings the book of The Law with him when he comes to the city, yet he does not find an opportunity for publishing it till some years later. Once more, Nehemiah sets to work... 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
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 12:27-47
Dedication of the wall (12:27-13:3)The story continues from where it left off in 10:39. After the reading of the law, the celebration of the Festival of Tabernacles and the people’s oath of loyalty to the covenant, the wall was dedicated. Priests, Levites, singers, musicians and leading citizens joined in the ceremony (27-30). The people assembled at a point beside the wall on one side of the city. They then divided into two groups and set off marching in opposite directions around the wall.... read more