John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 7:5
And my God put into mine heart ,.... Every good motion in him, and whatever he thought of that was conducive to the good and welfare of Jerusalem, Nehemiah always ascribed it to God; see 2 Corinthians 3:5 to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that they might be reckoned by genealogy ; that their number might be known, and of what families they were, and in what cities they formerly dwelt; and this was not only of use for the present purpose of Nehemiah, but was... read more
Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Nehemiah 7:5-73
We have here another good project of Nehemiah?s; for wise and zealous men will be always contriving something or other for the glory of God and the edification of his church. He knew very well that the safety of a city, under God, depends more upon the number and valour of the inhabitants than upon the height or strength of its walls; and therefore, observing that the people were few that dwelt in it, he thought fit to take an account of the people, that he might find what families had... read more