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Nehemiah Chapter 7

Census of Returned Exiles Nehemiah commits the charge of Jerusalem to Hanani and Hananiah

7 1 Neh 3; Neh 6:1 N1Now it came to pass, when the wall was built, and I had set up the doors, and the porters and the singers and the Levites were appointed,

2 Pro 16:6; Job 31:23; Neh 5:15; Exo 18:21 2That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many.

3And I said unto them, Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun be hot; and while they stand by, let them shut the doors, and bar them: and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, every one in his watch, and every one to be over against his house.

4Now the city was large and great: but the people were few therein, and the houses were not builded. A register of the genealogy of them which came at the first out of Babylon

5 Jam 1:17; 2 Cor 8:16; 1 Cor 4:7; Rom 11:36; Pro 2:6 5¶And my God put into mine heart to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that they might be reckoned by genealogy. And I found a register of the genealogy of them which came up at the first, and found written therein,

6These are the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity, of those that had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away, and came again to Jerusalem and to Judah, every one unto his city;

7Who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. The number, I say, of the men of the people of Israel was this;

8The children of Parosh, two thousand an hundred seventy and two. of the people

9The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two.

10The children of Arah, six hundred fifty and two.

11The children of Pahathmoab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand and eight hundred and eighteen.

12The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.

13The children of Zattu, eight hundred forty and five.

14The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore.

15The children of Binnui, six hundred forty and eight.

16The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and eight.

17The children of Azgad, two thousand three hundred twenty and two.

18The children of Adonikam, six hundred threescore and seven.

19The children of Bigvai, two thousand threescore and seven.

20The children of Adin, six hundred fifty and five.

21The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight.

22The children of Hashum, three hundred twenty and eight.

23The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and four.

24The children of Hariph, an hundred and twelve.

25The children of Gibeon, ninety and five.

26 Mat 2:1; Mic 5:2 26The men of Bethlehem and Netophah, an hundred fourscore and eight.

27 Jer 1:1; Ezr 2:23 27The men of Anathoth, an hundred twenty and eight.

28The men of Bethazmaveth, forty and two.

29The men of Kirjathjearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred forty and three.

30The men of Ramah and Geba, six hundred twenty and one.

31 1 Sam 13:2; Ezr 2:27 31The men of Michmas, an hundred and twenty and two.

32The men of Bethel and Ai, an hundred twenty and three.

33The men of the other Nebo, fifty and two.

34The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.

35The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty.

36The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five.

37The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty and one.

38The children of Senaah, three thousand nine hundred and thirty. of the priests

39 Ezr 2:36; 1 Chr 24:7 39The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three.

40 1 Chr 24:14; Ezr 2:37 40The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two.

41 1 Chr 9:12; 1 Chr 24:9 41The children of Pashur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven.

42 1 Chr 24:8; Ezr 2:39 42The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen. of the Levites

43The Levites: the children of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, and of the children of Hodevah, seventy and four.

44The singers: the children of Asaph, an hundred forty and eight.

45The porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, an hundred thirty and eight. of the Nethinims

46The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Hashupha, the children of Tabbaoth,

47The children of Keros, the children of Sia, the children of Padon,

48The children of Lebana, the children of Hagaba, the children of Shalmai,

49The children of Hanan, the children of Giddel, the children of Gahar,

50The children of Reaiah, the children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda,

51The children of Gazzam, the children of Uzza, the children of Phaseah,

52The children of Besai, the children of Meunim, the children of Nephishesim,

53The children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,

54The children of Bazlith, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,

55The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Tamah,

56The children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha. of Solomon's servants

57 2 Chr 2:17-18; 1 Kin 5:13-14; Gen 9:25-26 57The children of Solomon’s servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Perida,

58The children of Jaala, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,

59The children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth of Zebaim, the children of Amon.

60All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon’s servants, were three hundred ninety and two.

61 Ezr 2:59 61And these were they which went up also from Telmelah, Telharesha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer: but they could not shew their father’s house, nor their seed, whether they were of Israel.

62The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred forty and two. and of the priests which could not find their pedigree

63 2 Sam 17:27; 2 Sam 19:31-34; 1 Kin 2:7; Ezr 2:61 63And of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai, which took one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite to wife, and was called after their name.

64These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.

65 Jdg 1:1; Deu 33:8; Num 27:18-21; Num 7:89 65And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and Thummim. The whole number of them, with their substance

66The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,

67Beside their manservants and their maidservants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and they had two hundred forty and five singing men and singing women.

68Their horses, seven hundred thirty and six: their mules, two hundred forty and five:

69Their camels, four hundred thirty and five: six thousand seven hundred and twenty asses. Their offerings

70 Neh 8:9; Neh 10:1 70And some of the chief of the fathers gave unto the work. The Tirshatha gave to the treasure a thousand drams of gold, fifty basons, five hundred and thirty priests’ garments.

71 Ezr 2:69 71And some of the chief of the fathers gave to the treasure of the work twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand and two hundred pound of silver.

72 Gal 3:28; Rom 2:11; Job 34:19 72And that which the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand pound of silver, and threescore and seven priests’ garments.

73 Neh 11:20; Neh 11:36; Exo 23:14-17; Lev 23:24-44; Lev 23:24-44 73So the priests, and the Levites, and the porters, and the singers, and some of the people, and the Nethinims, and all Israel, dwelt in their cities; and when the seventh month came, the children of Israel were in their cities.

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Introduction to Nehemiah
by John MacArthur

Title

Nehemiah (“Jehovah comforts”) is a famous cupbearer, who never appears in Scripture outside of this book. As with the books of Ezra and Esther, named after his contemporaries (see Introductions to Ezra and Esther), the book recounts selected events of his leadership and was titled after him. Both the Greek Septuagint (LXX) and the Latin Vulgate named this book “Second Ezra.” Even though the two books of Ezra and Nehemiah are separate in most English Bibles, they may have once been joined together in a single unit as currently in the Hebrew texts. New Testament writers do not quote Nehemiah.

Author and Date

Though much of this book was clearly drawn from Nehemiah’s personal diaries and written from his first person perspective (Neh 1:1-7:5; 12:27-43; 13:4-31), both Jewish and Christian traditions recognize Ezra as the author. This is based on external evidence that Ezra and Nehemiah were originally one book as reflected in the LXX and Vulgate; it is also based on internal evidence such as the recurrent “hand of the LORD” theme which dominates both Ezra and Nehemiah and the author’s role as a priest-scribe. As a scribe, he had access to the royal archives of Persia, which accounts for the myriad of administrative documents found recorded in the two books, especially in the book of Ezra. Very few people would have been allowed access to the royal archives of the Persian Empire, but Ezra proved to be the exception (cf. Ezra 1:2-4; 4:9-22; 5:7-17; 6:3-12).

The events in Nehemiah 1 commence late in the year 446 B.C., the 20th year of the Persian king, Artaxerxes (464-423 B.C.). The book follows chronologically from Nehemiah’s first term as governor of Jerusalem ca 445-433 B.C. (Neh 1-12) to his second term, possibly beginning ca 424 B.C. (Neh 13). Nehemiah was written by Ezra sometime during or after Nehemiah’s second term, but no later than 400 B.C.

Background and Setting

True to God’s promise of judgment, He brought the Assyrians and Babylonians to deliver His chastisement upon wayward Judah and Israel. In 722 B.C. the Assyrians deported the 10 northern tribes and scattered them all over the then known world (2 Kin 17). Several centuries later, ca 605-586 B.C., God used the Babylonians to sack, destroy, and nearly depopulate Jerusalem (2 Kin 25) because Judah had persisted in her unfaithfulness to the covenant. God chastened His people with 70 years of captivity in Babylon (Jer 25:11).

During the Jews’ captivity, world empire leadership changed hands from the Babylonians to the Persians (ca 539 B.C.; Dan 5), after which Daniel received most of his prophetic revelation (cf. Dan 6, 9-12). The book of Ezra begins with the decree of Cyrus, a Persian king, to return God’s people to Jerusalem to rebuild God’s house (ca 539 B.C.), and chronicles the reestablishment of Judah’s national calendar of feasts and sacrifices. Zerubbabel and Joshua led the first return (Ezra 1-6) and rebuilt the temple. Esther gives a glimpse of the Jews left in Persia (ca 483-473 B.C.) when Haman attempted to eliminate the Jewish race. Ezra 7-10 recounts the second return led by Ezra in 458 B.C. Nehemiah chronicles the third return to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem (ca 445 B.C.).

At that time in Judah’s history, the Persian Empire dominated the entire Near Eastern world. Its administration of Judah, although done with a loose hand, was mindful of disruptions or any signs of rebellion from its vassals. Rebuilding the walls of conquered cities posed the most glaring threat to the Persian central administration. Only a close confidant of the king himself could be trusted for such an operation. At the most critical juncture in Judah’s revitalization, God raised up Nehemiah to exercise one of the most trusted roles in the empire, the King’s cupbearer and confidant. Life under the Persian king Artaxerxes (ca 464-423 B.C.) had its advantages for Nehemiah. Much like Joseph, Esther, and Daniel, he had attained a significant role in the palace which then ruled the ancient world, a position from which God could use him to lead the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls in spite of its implications for Persian control of that city.

Several other historical notes are of interest. First, Esther was Artaxerxes’ stepmother and could have easily influenced him to look favorably upon the Jews, especially Nehemiah. Second, Daniel’s prophetic 70 weeks began with the decree to rebuild the city issued by Artaxerxes in 445 B.C. (cf. chaps. 1, 2). Third, the Elephantine papyri (Egyptian documents), dated to the late 5th century B.C., support the account of Nehemiah by mentioning Sanballat the governor of Samaria (Neh 2:19), Jehohanan (Neh 6:18; 12:23), and Nehemiah’s being replaced as governor of Jerusalem by Bigvai (ca 410 B.C; Neh 10:16). Finally, Nehemiah and Malachi represent the last of the OT canonical writings, both in terms of the time the events occurred (Mal 1-4; Neh 13) and the time when they were recorded by Ezra. Thus the next messages from God for Israel do not come until over 400 years of silence had passed, after which the births of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ were announced (Matt 1; Luke 1, 2).

With the full OT revelation of Israel’s history prior to Christ’s incarnation being completed, the Jews had not yet experienced the fullness of God’s various covenants and promises to them. While there was a Jewish remnant, as promised to Abraham (cf. Gen 15:5), it does not appear to be even as large as at the time of the Exodus (Num 1:46). The Jews neither possessed the Land (Gen 15:7) nor did they rule as a sovereign nation (Gen 12:2). The Davidic throne was unoccupied (cf. 2 Sam 7:16), although the High-Priest was of the line of Eleazar and Phinehas (cf. Num 25:10-13). God’s promise to consummate the New Covenant of redemption awaited the birth, crucifixion, and resurrection of Messiah (cf. Heb 7-10).

Historical and Theological Themes

Careful attention to the reading of God’s Word in order to perform His will is a constant theme. The spiritual revival came in response to Ezra’s reading of “the Book of the Law of Moses” (Neh 8:1). After the reading, Ezra and some of the priests carefully explained its meaning to the people in attendance (Neh 8:8). The next day, Ezra met with some of the fathers of the households, the priests, and Levites, “in order to understand the words of the Law” (Neh 8:13). The sacrificial system was carried on with careful attention to perform it “as it is written in the Law” (Neh 10:34, 36). So deep was their concern to abide by God’s revealed will that they took “a curse and an oath to walk in God’s Law … ” (Neh 10:29). When the marriage reforms were carried out, they acted in accordance with that which “they read from the Book of Moses” (Neh 13:1).

A second major theme, the obedience of Nehemiah, is explicitly referred to throughout the book due to the fact that the book is based on the memoirs or first person accounts of Nehemiah. God worked through the obedience of Nehemiah; however, He also worked through the wrongly-motivated, wicked hearts of His enemies. Nehemiah’s enemies failed, not so much as a result of the success of Nehemiah’s strategies, but because “God had brought their plot to nothing” (Neh 4:15). God used the opposition of Judah’s enemies to drive His people to their knees in the same way that He used the favor of Cyrus to return His people to the Land, to fund their building project, and to even protect the reconstruction of Jerusalem’s walls. Not surprisingly, Nehemiah acknowledged the true motive of his strategy to repopulate
Jerusalem: “my God put it into my heart” (Neh 7:5). It was He who accomplished it.

Another theme in Nehemiah, as in Ezra, is opposition. Judah’s enemies started rumors that God’s people had revolted against Persia. The goal was to intimidate Judah into forestalling reconstruction of the walls. In spite of opposition from without and heartbreaking corruption and dissension from within, Judah completed the walls of Jerusalem in only 52 days (Neh 6:15), experienced revival after the reading of the law by Ezra (Neh 8:1ff.), and celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles (Neh 8:14ff.; ca 445 B.C.).

The book’s detailed insight into the personal thoughts, motives, and disappointments of Nehemiah makes it easy for the reader to primarily identify with him, rather than “the sovereign hand of God” theme and the primary message of His control and intervention into the affairs of His people and their enemies. But the exemplary behavior of the famous cupbearer is eclipsed by God who orchestrated the reconstruction of the walls in spite of much opposition and many setbacks; the “good hand of God” theme carries through the book of Nehemiah (Neh 1:10; 2:8, 18).

Interpretive Challenges

First, since much of Nehemiah is explained in relationship to Jerusalem’s gates (cf. Neh 2, 3, 8, 12), one needs to see the map “Jerusalem in Nehemiah’s Day” for an orientation. Second, the reader must recognize that the time line of chapters 1-12 encompassed about one year (445 B.C.), followed by a long gap of time (over 20 years) after Neh 12 and before Neh 13. Finally, it must be recognized that Nehemiah actually served two governorships in Jerusalem, the first from 445-433 B.C. (cf. Neh 5:14; 13:6) and the second beginning possibly in 424 B.C. and extending to no longer than 410 B.C.

Outline of Nehemiah
by John MacArthur

I. Nehemiah’s First Term as Governor (Neh 1:1-12:47)

A. Nehemiah’s Return and Reconstruction (Neh 1:1-7:73a)
1. Nehemiah goes to Jerusalem (Neh 1:1-2:20)
2. Nehemiah and the people rebuild the walls (Neh 3:1-7:3)
3. Nehemiah recalls the first return under Zerubbabel (Neh 7:4-73a)
B. Ezra’s Revival and Renewal (Neh 7:73b-10:39)
1. Ezra expounds the law (Neh 7:73b-8:12)
2. The people worship and repent (Neh 8:13-9:37)
3. Ezra and the priests renew the covenant (Neh 9:38-10:39)
C. Nehemiah’s Resettlement and Rejoicing (Neh 11:1-12:47)
1. Jerusalem is resettled (Neh 11:1-12:26)
2. The people dedicate the walls (Neh 12:27-47)

Introduction to Nehemiah
by John MacArthur

Title

Author and Date

Background and Setting

Historical and Theological Themes

Interpretive Challenges

Outline of Nehemiah
by John MacArthur

I. Nehemiah’s First Term as Governor (Neh 1:1-12:47)

II. Nehemiah’s Second Term as Governor (Neh 13:1-31)

The 1440 Agenda

Remembering Marcy

Study Bible

Introduction to Nehemiahby John MacArthur

Title

Author and Date

Background and Setting

Historical and Theological Themes

Interpretive Challenges

Outline of Nehemiahby John MacArthur

I. Nehemiah’s First Term as Governor (Neh 1:1-12:47)

II. Nehemiah’s Second Term as Governor (Neh 13:1-31)

Books of the Bible

Chapters in Nehemiah

The 1440 Agenda

Introduction to Nehemiah
by John MacArthur

Outline of Nehemiah
by John MacArthur