Nehemiah 12:27-13:31

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Nehemiah 12:27-43

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 contento?the thing containing for the thing contained), and therefore it was not done till the city was pretty well replenished,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 12:27

And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem ,.... In which many priests and Levites assisted, and seems to be the reason of the above account of them; the dedication of the wall takes in the whole city, gates, and houses, Nehemiah 12:30 , and if a new house was to be dedicated, much more a new city, and especially the holy city, in which stood the temple of the Lord, see Deuteronomy 20:5 , this dedication was made by prayer and songs of praise, as follow, and no doubt by sacrifices,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 12:27

At the dedication of the wall - They sent for the Levites from all quarters, that this dedication might be as solemn and majestic as possible; and it is likely that this was done as soon as convenient after the walls were finished. The dedication seems to have consisted in processions of the most eminent persons around the walls, and thanksgivings to God, who had enabled them to bring the work to so happy a conclusion: and no doubt to all this were added a particular consecration... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 12:1-47

Ministers of the Lord. Twenty-six verses of this chapter are given to the record of the names of priests and Levites. That fact itself is suggestive. It is indicative of the high place which the ministers of God held in the national estimation. We meet in these chronicles with the names of few men of comparative wealth, or rank, or soldierly ability; but the names of the ministers of religion are recorded, and are thus immortalised. Concerning these we may learn— I. THEIR RELATIVE ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 12:1-47

Joy of Jerusalem. "That day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off" ( Nehemiah 12:43 ). I. THE CONSTITUENTS OF TRUE JOY . These are— 1. Thankfulness and praise in the remembrance of the past and in confident anticipation of the future. The people recounted the mercies of the Lord. Their dedication of the completed walls... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 12:27

And at the dedication … they sought the Levites . The nexus of this passage seems to be with Nehemiah 11:36 ; and we may suppose that originally it followed immediately on Nehemiah 11:1-36 .—the lists ( Nehemiah 12:1-26 ) being a later insertion. The author, having (in Nehemiah 11:36 ) told us of the wide dispersion of the Levites, now notes that they were summoned from all the places where they dwelt, and brought (one and all) to Jerusalem for the solemnity of the dedication. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 12:27-43

The dedication of the wall. As soon as possible after the completion of the wall, a joyful celebration of the event was made, in which all the people participated. As Jerusalem was "the holy city," this took the form of a "dedication." I. THE SOLEMNITIES WITH WHICH THE DEDICATION WAS MADE . 1. The preparations. The gathering of the Levites, especially the singers and musicians, who were to take a leading part in the ceremonies ( Nehemiah 12:27-29 ). 2. The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 12:27-43

A joyous dedication. Knowing all that we do know of God's ancient people, of the devoutness of their spirit, and their disposition to connect closely the human and the Divine, we should expect that the building of the wall round the sacred city would be followed by some religious service. The verses of the text give a graphic description of this interesting scene. The Levites who had been dispersed through the province were "sought out of all their places" ( Nehemiah 12:27 ), and the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 12:27-47

PART IV . DEDICATION OF THE WALL OF JERUSALEM UNDER NEHEMIAH AND EZRA , WITH NEHEMIAH 'S ARRANGEMENT OF THE TEMPLE OFFICERS , AND HIS EFFORTS FOR THE REFORM OF RELIGION ( Nehemiah 12:27-47 , AND , Nehemiah 13:1-31 .). The dedication of a city wall was, so far as we know, a new thing in Israel; but it had been customary from a remote time to dedicate houses ( Deuteronomy 20:5 ); and natural piety extended this practice to... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Nehemiah 12:27

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

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