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More Nehemiah commentaries
Nehemiah 4:1-6
Ridicule and Criticism comes to Nehemiah
Nehemiah 4:7-14
Nehemiah reminds the people of their calling
Nehemiah 4:15-23
Nehemiah sets up a communication system
Nehemiah 5:1-13
Nehemiah deals with oppression
Nehemiah 5:14-19
The Generosity of Nehemiah
Nehemiah 6:1-9
Conspiracy Against Nehemiah
Nehemiah 6:10-19
The Wall Completed
Nehemiah 7:1-38
The Captives Who Returned to Jerusalem
Nehemiah 7:39-73
The Living Link Between the Past and the Future
Nehemiah 8:1-12
Nehemiah Called for a “Bible conference”
Nehemiah 8:13-18
The Feast of Tabernacles
Nehemiah 9:1-8
The Greatness of God
Nehemiah 9:9-25
The Goodness of God When they Didn’t Deserve it
Nehemiah 9:26-31
The Results of Rebellion
Nehemiah 9:32-39
Slaves in Their Own Land
Nehemiah 10:1-31
The Agreement of The People
Nehemiah 10:32-39
Importance of Giving The First Fruits to God
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The Captives Who Returned to Jerusalem
Nehemiah 7:1–38
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
A little girl once said to her mother, Mommy, if Santa Claus brings our presents, and God gives us our daily bread, and Uncle Sam gives us Social Security, why do we keep daddy around?” (Source Unknown, Lou Nicholes - Missionary/Author). … More
In addition to repairing the walls, the builders repaired the gates. The porters, singers and Levites were given the responsibility of opening and closing them. Nehemiah, knowing that his enemies were still around, ordered these security measures. All the work on the wall would have been in vain if they were careless with the gates.
He appointed two governors to provide for the public peace and safety of Jerusalem. One of these was Hananiah, who had been ruler of the palace and it was said of him that “he was a faithful man and feared God above many” (v. 2). The other was Hanani, Nehemiah’s brother, who was a man of approved integrity and affection for his country. These rulers were ordered to see that the city gates were shut up and barred every night. The gates were not to be opened until midday and only when the guards were by them (v. 3).
Although the walls had been rebuilt, vast portions of the city were still lying in waste. Many of the houses were in ruins. Comparatively few people were residing in Jerusalem, so, Nehemiah was inspired to make a census of the people (v. 5). He knew that the safety of the city under God depends more on the number and attitude of the people than upon the height or strength of its walls. Therefore, observing that many people who had formerly lived in Jerusalem now lived in the country, he set out to influence them to come back and rebuild their houses in the city. A list is given of those who returned (vv. 6-38). Part of this consists of 18 families and clan (vv.6-25) while the remainder contains the names of inhabitants from 20 towns and villagers (vv. 26-38).
Application
It is tempting to let down my guard and rest on past accomplishments after I have completed a large task. I must remember to continue to serve and to take care of all that God has entrusted to me.
Nehemiah 7:1-38 (English Standard Version)
Now when the wall had been built and I had set up the doors, and the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites had been appointed, I gave my brother Hanani and Hananiah the governor of the castle charge over Jerusalem, for he was a more faithful and God-fearing man than many. And I said to them, "Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot. And while they are still standing guard, let them shut and bar the doors. Appoint guards from among the inhabitants of Jerusalem, some at their guard posts and some in front of their own homes." The city was wide and large, but the people within it were few, and no houses had been rebuilt. Then my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles and the officials and the people to be enrolled by genealogy. And I found the book of the genealogy of those who came up at the first, and I found written in it: These were the people of the province who came up out of the captivity of those exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried into exile. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his town. They came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel: the sons of Parosh, 2,172. The sons of Shephatiah, 372. The sons of Arah, 652. The sons of Pahath-moab, namely the sons of Jeshua and Joab, 2,818. The sons of Elam, 1,254. The sons of Zattu, 845. The sons of Zaccai, 760. The sons of Binnui, 648. The sons of Bebai, 628. The sons of Azgad, 2,322. The sons of Adonikam, 667. The sons of Bigvai, 2,067. The sons of Adin, 655. The sons of Ater, namely of Hezekiah, 98. The sons of Hashum, 328. The sons of Bezai, 324. The sons of Hariph, 112. The sons of Gibeon, 95. The men of Bethlehem and Netophah, 188. The men of Anathoth, 128. The men of Beth- azmaveth, 42. The men of Kiriath-jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, 743. The men of Ramah and Geba, 621. The men of Michmas, 122. The men of Bethel and Ai, 123. The men of the other Nebo, 52. The sons of the other Elam, 1,254. The sons of Harim, 320. The sons of Jericho, 345. The sons of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, 721. The sons of Senaah, 3,930.
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