46 for in the days of David and Asaph of old `were' heads of the singers, and a song of praise and thanksgiving to God.
And David and the heads of the host separate for service, of the sons of Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun, who are prophesying with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals, and the number of the workmen is according to their service. Of sons of Asaph: Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asharelah, sons of Asaph, `are' by the side of Asaph, who is prophesying by the side of the king. Of Jeduthun: sons of Jeduthun, Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, Shisshah, `are' by the side of their father Jeduthun; with a harp he is prophesying, for giving of thanks and of praise to Jehovah. Of Heman: sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamti-Ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, Mahazioth; all these `are' sons of Heman -- seer of the king in the things of God -- to lift up a horn; and God giveth to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters. All these `are' by the side of their father in the song of the house of Jehovah, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God; by the side of the king `are' Asaph, and Jeduthun, and Heman. And their number, with their brethren -- taught in the song of Jehovah, all who are intelligent -- is two hundred, eighty and eight. And they cause to fall lots -- charge over-against `charge', as well the small as the great, the intelligent with the learner. And the first lot goeth out for Asaph to Joseph; `to' Gedaliah the second; he, and his brethren and his sons, twelve; the third `to' Zaccur, his sons and his brethren, twelve; the fourth to Izri, his sons and his brethren, twelve; the fifth `to' Nethaniah, his sons and his brethren, twelve; the sixth `to' Bukkiah, his sons and his brethren, twelve; the seventh `to' Jesharelah, his sons and his brethren, twelve; the eighth `to' Jeshaiah, his sons and his brethren, twelve; the ninth `to' Mattaniah, his sons and his brethren, twelve; the tenth `to' Shimei, his sons and his brethren, twelve: eleventh `to' Azareel, his sons and his brethren, twelve; the twelfth `to' Hashabiah, his sons and his brethren, twelve; at the thirteenth `to' Shubael, his sons and his brethren, twelve; at the fourteenth `to' Mattithiah, his sons and his brethren, twelve; at the fifteenth `to' Jeremoth, his sons and his brethren, twelve; at the sixteenth `to' Hananiah, his sons and his brethren, twelve; at the seventeenth `to' Joshbekashah, his sons and his brethren, twelve; at the eighteenth `to' Hanani, his sons and his brethren, twelve; at the nineteenth `to' Mallothi, his sons and his brethren, twelve; at the twentieth `to' Eliathah, his sons and his brethren, twelve; at the one and twentieth `to' Hothir, his sons and his brethren, twelve; at the two and twentieth `to' Giddalti, his sons and his brethren, twelve; at the three and twentieth `to' Mahazioth, his sons and his brethren, twelve; at the four and twentieth `to' Romamti-Ezer, his sons and his brethren, twelve.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Nehemiah 12
Commentary on Nehemiah 12 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 12
In this chapter are preserved upon record,
Neh 12:1-26
We have here the names, and little more than the names, of a great many priests and Levites, that were eminent in their day among the returned Jews. Why this register should be here inserted by Nehemiah does not appear, perhaps to keep in remembrance those good men, that posterity might know to whom they were beholden, under God, for the happy revival and re-establishment of their religion among them. Thus must we contribute towards the performance of that promise, Ps. 112:6, The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. Let the memory of the just be blessed, be perpetuated. It is a debt we still owe to faithful ministers to remember our guides, who have spoken to us the word of God, Heb. 13:7. Perhaps it is intended to stir up their posterity, who succeeded them in the priest's office and inherited their dignities and preferments, to imitate their courage and fidelity. It is good to know what our godly ancestors and predecessors were, that we may learn thereby what we should be. We have here,
Neh 12:27-43
We have read of the building of the wall of Jerusalem with a great deal of fear and trembling; we have here an account of the dedicating of it with a great deal of joy and triumph. Those that sow in tears shall thus reap.
Neh 12:44-47
We have here an account of the remaining good effects of the universal joy that was at the dedication of the wall. When the solemnities of a thanksgiving day leave such impressions on ministers and people as that both are more careful and cheerful in doing their duty afterwards, then they are indeed acceptable to God and turn to a good account. So it was here.