Nehemiah 12:44

SECTION THIRD.

NEHEMIAH’S LATER REFORMS. Nehemiah 12:44 to Nehemiah 13:31.

LEVITICAL APPOINTMENTS, Nehemiah 12:44-47.

44. At that time This seems certainly to refer to the time of the dedication of the walls of Jerusalem, and hence some have very naturally supposed that the wall was not dedicated till after the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes, when Nehemiah came the second time to Jerusalem. See introductory note before Nehemiah 12:27.

Chambers for the treasures Store chambers; rooms in the temple for the storing of such things as offerings… firstfruits,… tithes, which were gathered in for the support of the sacred services. It was necessary for certain responsible persons to have charge of these important chambers and their stores.

Fields of the cities The suburbs or outlying fields that were attached to the different cities of Israel. The Israelites lived not on their lands, but in cities, from which they went forth at seed-time and harvest to sow and reap. So the fields of Boaz were in the vicinity of Bethlehem, but he abode in the city.

Portions of the law That is, portions prescribed by law for the priests and Levites. See Numbers 18:20-24; Deuteronomy 18:1-8.

Judah rejoiced for the priests That is, had great joy and comfort in their ministry and service, and gave willingly for their support.

That waited Literally, the ones standing; that is, standing to minister before the Lord. Compare Deuteronomy 10:8.