Nehemiah 11:3-13

LIST OF THE CHIEFS OF THE PROVINCE, Nehemiah 11:3-16.

A comparison of this list with that of 1 Chronicles 9:0, (where see notes,) shows that they both agree in their plan, and in a considerable number of their names. The differences are too many to allow the opinion that the lists are substantially identical, and that each is an imperfect transcript of an older and fuller catalogue of names. The list in Chronicles contains, according to its heading, the names of those who first settled in their possessions after the exile; the present list is of later date, and belongs to the times of Nehemiah.

3. The chief of the province The chiefs or heads of families who represented the entire province of Judea in the time of Nehemiah. This providence was then one of the subdivisions of the Persian empire.

But in the cities of Judah Rather, and in the cities of Judah. The list contains the names of chief fathers dwelling in other cities of the province as well as in Jerusalem. See Nehemiah 11:25-36.

Israel This word here denotes the entire body of the covenant people, (the laity, so to speak,) exclusive of the four special classes next named.