Nehemiah 7

Nehemiah 7:1

D. Organization of Jerusalem’s Guards (7:1-4)7:1, 2 As soon as the walls and gates were finished and the gatekeepers, singers, and . . . Levites were appointed to their posts, Nehemiah turned the charge of the city over to his brother Hanani and to Hananiah. Both were godly men, well-suited for the responsibility. Hananiah had a deep reverence for God, which made him of kindred spirit with Nehemiah. 7:3, 4 Instructions were given to insure Jerusalem’s security. The gates were to be opened only during daylight hours, and guards were to be posted around the city, with each man serving by his own house. By faith Nehemiah had built the walls where they used to be, even though the enclosed area was too large for so few inhabitants.

Nehemiah 7:5

E. Registration of Jerusalem’s Population (7:5-73)7:5, 6 As he planned to repopulate the city with those whose genealogy proved their descent as Jews, he found a register of those who had returned to Jerusalem and Judah under Zerubbabel. 7:7-65 This list in verses 7-65 is almost identical with the one given in Ezra 2. The duplication argues against the theory that Ezra and Nehemiah were originally one book, even if Jewish tradition put them together at one point. 7:66-69 In these verses we have a recapitulation of the whole assembly, besides the servants, singers, and animals used for transport. 7:70-72 Donors and their contributions to the work are listed. Verses 70-72 differ significantly from Ezr_2:68-69. The accounts may refer to two different but overlapping collections. The governor’s plan for Jerusalem was not fully carried out until chapter 11. 7:73 The chapter closes peacefully with the cities of the children of Israel populated and secure.