Nehemiah 7:1-8:6

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Nehemiah 7:1-4

God saith concerning his church (Isa. 62:6), I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem! This is Nehemiah's care here; for dead walls, without living watchmen, are but a poor defence to a city. I. He appointed the porters, singers, and Levites, in their places to their work. This is meant of their work in general, which was to attend the temple service; it had been neglected in some degree, but now was revived. God's worship is the defence of a place, and his ministers, when they mind... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 7:1

Now it came to pass, when the wall was built, and I had set up the doors ,.... Which was not done when Sanballat sent his first letter, but now was, Nehemiah 6:1 , and the porters and the singers, and the Levites were appointed ; not to attend the doors of the gates of the wall, but to return to their service in the temple, who had been employed in one thing or another, while the wall and gates were building and repairing; see Nehemiah 3:17 . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 7:1

The porters and the singers and the Levites . The porters and the singers were themselves Levites, but are often distinguished from their brethren, who had no such special office (see Ezra 2:40-42 , Ezra 2:70 ; Ezra 7:24 ; Ezra 10:23 , Ezra 10:24 ; Nehemiah 7:43-45 , Nehemiah 7:73 ; Nehemiah 10:28 , etc.). Nehemiah's choice of Levites to guard the gates of Jerusalem may seem strange; but we must remember— 1. That the priests and Levites formed nearly one half the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 7:1-4

Provision for safety and numerical increase. The wall being completed and the gates set in their places, Nehemiah takes measures for the regular defence of the city, and for increasing its population. I. THE GUARDING OF THE CITY - GATES he assigns to the gate-keepers of the temple, the singers, and the other Levites; "that of the walls," to the general inhabitants in turn, some to keep watch at certain appointed posts, others before their own houses; not only perhaps to be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 7:1-4

Moral guardianship. I. THE THINGS IN THE CHURCH WHICH NEED TO BE GUARDED . "Charge over Jerusalem" ( Nehemiah 7:2 ). 1. The doctrines of the Church. 2. The members of the Church. 3. The temporal interests of the Church. 4. The work of the Church. 5. The reputation of the Church. 6. The civil privileges of the Church. 7. The discipline of the Church. This defence is needed because infidelity, slander, bigotry, and laxity threaten to lay... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 7:1-5

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 7:1-70

Israel within the walls. In less than two months, notwithstanding the undisguised hostility of the Samaritans, and the covert disloyalty of some of the inhabitants, the sacred city was surrounded with a wall of protection; and with supreme satisfaction and profound thankfulness the gates were closed and the doors were shut. Jerusalem was secure. But Nehemiah was not the man to settle down into passive complacency. The accomplishment of one duty meant the undertaking of another. His conduct... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Nehemiah 7:1

Since the watch of the temple had hitherto been kept by porters, singers, and Levites 1 Chronicles 26:1-19, so now the watch of the entire city was committed to men of the same three classes, their experience pointing them out as the most suitable persons. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Nehemiah 7:1-2

Nehemiah 7:1-2. And the Levites were appointed When I had given orders that the Levites should be summoned from all places to celebrate the dedication of the wall, as was done, Nehemiah 12:27. I gave my brother Hanani Of whom see Nehemiah 1:1-2. And Hananiah, the ruler of the palace Of Nehemiah’s court, justly called a palace, because he lived in great splendour, like a viceroy, though it was wholly at his own cost. Charge over Jerusalem To preserve its peace and safety, and to take... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 7:1-73

The wall completed (6:1-7:73)With the wall nearing completion, the enemies saw that their only hope lay in getting rid of Nehemiah himself. They tried to draw him out into the country where they could murder him, but Nehemiah was aware of their tricks (6:1-4). They then spread rumours, by means of an open letter, that Nehemiah was planning a revolt against Persia, but their efforts came to nothing (5-9).The enemies thought of yet another plan. They tried to make Nehemiah act in a way that would... read more

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