Nehemiah 12:27-43

DEDICATION OF THE WALL OF JERUSALEM, Nehemiah 12:27-43.

All the details and genealogical lists from chapter vii up to this point were, in some sense, preparatory to the dedication of the walls of the holy city. Upon the completion of the walls the Jews’ enemies were humiliated, and devised crafty measures to put Nehemiah in fear. Nehemiah 6:15-19. Thereupon Nehemiah at once proceeded to organize and consolidate the new community, and to thoroughly provide for their civil and religious interests. He carefully collected the genealogical registers, assembled the whole nation for public instruction in the law, made all needful provision for the temple service, and for a large increase of the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Thus Nehemiah and Ezra were like another Moses and Aaron to lead, organize, and instruct their nation after its deliverance from the second “house of bondage.” The dedication of the restored walls of their capital followed most fittingly after the nation had become thoroughly organized and consolidated, and the priestly and Levitical houses had learned their proper places and work.

The date of the dedication of the wall is quite uncertain. The close connexion of this account with Nehemiah’s later reforms, (Nehemiah 12:44, and Nehemiah 13:1,) seems to place it after Nehemiah’s absence in Persia.

And it is very possible that for reasons now unknown this dedication of the wall was hindered, or postponed, till after Nehemiah returned from Persia.