Nehemiah
Chapter 7
When the wall was built and the doors were in place, gatekeepers were designated to keep watch.
Then I set my brother Hanani as governor of Jerusalem and Hananiah as head of the Citadel, for he was a faithful man and true servant of God, as few can be found.
Then I said to them: “Open the gates of Jerusalem only when the sun begins to get hot, but while it is still day, close and bar the doors while the guards are still at their posts. And during the night, the inhabitants of Jerusalem shall come out to keep guard, some at their posts and others in front of their houses.”
The Repopulation of Jerusalem I
The city was spacious and wide, but had few inhabitants, and many houses had not been rebuilt.
God inspired me to assemble the leaders, counselors, and people to take a census. I initially found the registry book of the census of those who had returned from exile. I found the following written in it:
These are the people of the province who returned from exile whom Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had deported but returned to Jerusalem and Judea, each to his city:
These are the Israelites who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah; here are the numbers:
The sons of Parosh, 2,172.
Those of Shephatiah, 372.
Those of Arah, 652.
Those of Pahath-Moab of the sons of Jeshua and Joab, 2,818.
The sons of Elam 1,254.
Those of Zattu, 845.
Those of Zaccai, 760.
Those of Binnui, 648.
Those of Bebai, 628.
Those of Azgad, 2,322.
Those of Adonikam, 667.
Those of Bigvai, 2,067.
Those of Adin, 655.
Those of Ater, of Hezekiah, 98.
Those of Hashum, 328.
Those of Bezai, 324.
Those of Hariph, 112.
Those of Gibeon, 95.
The men of Bethlehem and Netophah, 188.
Those of Anathoth, 128.
Those of Beth-azmaveth, 42.
Those of Kiriath-jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, 743.
Those of Ramah and Geba, 621.
Those of Michmas, 122.
Those of Bethel and Ai, 123.
Those of the other Nebo, 52.
The sons of the other Elam, 1,254.
The sons of Harim, 320.
The sons of Jericho, 345.
Those of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, 721.
Those of Senaah, 3,930.
The priests: The sons of Jedaiah of the house of Jeshua, 973.
of Immer, 1,052.
of Pashhur, 1,247.
those of Harim, 1,017.
The Levites: The sons of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, of the sons of Hodeviah, 74.
The singers: The sons of Asaph, 148.
The gatekeepers: The sons of Shallum, of Ater, of Talmon, of Akkub, of Hatita, of Shobai, 138.
The temple servants: The sons of Ziha, of Hasupha, of Tabbaoth,
of Keros, of Sia, of Padon,
of Lebana, of Hagaba, of Shalmai,
of Hanan, of Giddel, of Gahar,
of Reaiah, of Rezin, of Nekoda,
of Gazzam, of Uzza, of Paseah,
of Besai, of Meunim, of the Nephusites,
of Bakbuk, of Hakupha, of Harhur,
of Bazlith, of Mehida, of Harsha,
of Barkos, of Sisera, of Temah,
of Neziah, of Hatipha.
The sons of Solomon’s servants: The sons of Sotai, of Sophereth, of Perida,
of Jaala, of Darkon, of Giddel,
of Shephatiah, of Hattil, of Pochereth-hazzebaim, of Amon.
All the temple servants and the sons of Solomon’s servants were 392.
These came from Tel-melah, Tel-Harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer. However, they could not prove that their families and ancestry were of Israelite origin:
the sons of Delaiah, of Tobiah, of Nekoda, 642.
And of the priests: the sons of Hobaiah, of Hakkoz, of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai, the Gileadite, and was named after them.
These people searched for their ancestral registration, but it could not be found. Therefore, they were considered unclean and excluded from the priesthood.
The governor told them they should not eat from the holiest things until a priest decides the Urim and Thummim.
The whole assembly was 42,360,
besides their male and female servants: 7,337, and they had 245 male and female singers.
They had 736 horses, 245 mules,
435 camels, and 6,720 donkeys.
Some of the heads of families made offerings for the work. The governor gave the treasury 1,000 gold drachmas, 50 basins, and 530 priests’ garments.
The heads of families gave into the treasury of the work 20,000 gold drachmas, 2,200 silver minas, and 67 priests’ garments.
The rest of the people gave 20,000 gold drachmas, 2,000 silver minas, and 67 priests’ garments.
The priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, some people, the temple servants, and all of Israel lived in their cities.
Commentaries
Intrigues of the Enemies.
After failing with mockery and intimidation, the enemies launch their attack against Nehemiah. This chapter outlines the events of several oral warnings, a written accusation, and an attempt to discredit him, along with a note about Tobias. Once the work is completed, the wall stands as a theophany that inspires admiration and awe among the pagans. Completing the job in under two months was no simple task, especially amid external opposition and internal challenges. The work resembles a miracle of God, who instilled enormous confidence and tenacity in His people.
The Repopulation of Jerusalem I.
With the wall’s construction completed, it would be logical to continue the account of a dedication festival; however, we need to read a series of episodes before we encounter this festival in chapter 12. Surrounded by its crenellated wall, the city remains devoid of houses and residents. Thus, Nehemiah faces a new task: to repopulate the city. However, it appears that the capital was not appealing, perhaps due to insecurity or insufficient economic conditions, unless one worked for the Temple. Even then, most of them resided on their property or in neighboring towns.