Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 7:8-24
Those Enrolled By Family Association (Nehemiah 7:8-24 ). These submitted their numbers in terms of their clan. Those named would have been heads of clans centuries before, to whom the clan looked back with respect and awe. Compare Nehemiah 11:13 where a ‘son of Immer’ (Nehemiah 7:40) is given a fuller genealogy. And there are indications that prominent returnees may have reverted to the names of their ancestors as a sign of their new beginning and the re-establishment of Israel. Note the... read more
Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 7:7-38
The Number Of The Men Of Israel (Nehemiah 7:7-38 ). Nehemiah 7:7 ‘The number of the men of the people of Israel, This proud claim demonstrates that the returnees saw themselves as the foundation of the new Israel. They were the true Israelites, in contrast with the syncretists who had remained in the land, although any in the land who could demonstrate that the were genuine exclusive Yahwists were welcomed among their number (Ezra 6:21). These are divided up between those who are enrolled by... read more