Azariah, Ezra, and Meshullam. Next to the "princes" came two priestly families—those of Azariah (or Ezra) and Meshullam (ch. x, 2, 7); then Judah and Benjamin , or certain lay people of those tribes; after them two other priestly families — those of Shemaiah and Jeremiah ( Nehemiah 10:2 , Nehemiah 10:8 ; Nehemiah 12:1 , Nehemiah 12:6 ). read more
Certain of the priests' sons with trumpets . Compare Nehemiah 12:41 . A body of priests, who blew trumpets, accompanied each procession, following closely upon the "princes , " and followed by a body of Levites. Namely, Zechariah . There is nothing corresponding to "namely" in the original; and it is clear that Zechariah was not a "priest's son," but a Levite, since he was descended from Asaph. Probably a vau conjunctive has fallen out before his name. read more
The musical instruments of David . Cymbals, psalteries, and harps. See above, Nehemiah 12:27 , and comp. 1 Chronicles 15:16 , 1 Chronicles 15:19-21 . The Jews had become acquainted with a great variety of musical instruments during the captivity ( Daniel 3:7 ; Psalms 150:4 , Psalms 150:5 ), but rigidly excluded all except the old instruments from the service of religion. Ezra the scribe before them . As their leader. It is interesting to find no jealousy separating Ezra from... read more
At the fountain gate . See above, Nehemiah 2:14 and Nehemiah 3:15 . Which was over against them . There is no "which was" in the original; and it was clearly not the gate, but the steps, that were "over against them." They came to the fountain gate in the course of their perambulation of the wall, and there saw, "opposite to them," the steps that led up to the city of David. By these they ascended the eastern hill, and mounting upon the wall once more, followed its course until they... read more
And the other company . Nehemiah now proceeds to trace the course of the other choir or procession—the one which he himself accompanied. Starting from the same part of the western wall as the other, its course was northward to the N.W. angle of the city wall, after which it was eastward to the "sheep gate, and then southward to the "prison gate." In this part of his description Nehemiah traces the same portion of the wall as that which had engaged his attention in Nehemiah 3:1-11 , and... read more
So stood the two companies . Having performed their respective portions of the perambulation, and reached the central portion of the eastern wall, opposite the temple area, the two companies came to a stand, one over against the other, not in the house of God , but by it, or near it, which is a meaning that the preposition ב often has. The half of the rulers . Compare Nehemiah 12:32 . read more
The dedication of the wall - The ceremony had been deferred for the space of nearly 12 years Nehemiah 13:6. Perhaps Nehemiah required an express permission from the Persian king before he could venture on a solemnity which might have been liable to misrepresentation.Out of all their places - i. e., out of the various cities of Judah and Benjamin in which they dwelt Nehemiah 11:36. read more
The plain country round about Jerusalem - Perhaps the valleys of Hinnom and Jehoshaphat, which enclose Jerusalem on three sides, are intended.The villages of Netophathi - Rather, as in 1 Chronicles 9:16. Netophah lay near Bethlehem 1 Chronicles 2:54, and is perhaps represented by the modern Antubeh. read more
The house of Gilgal - Or, “Beth-Gilgal” - probably the Gilgal north of Jerusalem (now “Jiljilia). read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 12:32
After them . After the singers, who in each procession took the lead. Hoshaiah is perhaps the "Hoshea" of Nehemiah 10:23 , who "sealed to" the covenant. Half the princes of Judah . The other half were with Nehemiah in the other "company" (verse 40). read more