2 Esdras xi.
Notes & Commentary:
Ver. 1. Lots. Those who had a mind to fix their abode at Jerusalem, received every encouragement. But some were compelled, that the city might regain its ancient splendour, and become the bulwark of the nation. Josephus ([Antiquities?] xi. 5.) says, that Nehemias built at his own expense houses for the priest and Levites, who chose to reside there.
Ver. 2. Blessed. Applauding their zeal and disinterestedness, as the city was yet only a heap of ruins. (Calmet) — Some from the other ten tribes returned; but the transactions of three tribes are more particularly noticed. (Ven. Bede) (Worthington)
Ver. 3. Solomon. See 1 Esdras ii. 55., and 1 Paralipomenon ix. 2.
Ver. 4. Benjamin, as well as of Ephraim and Manasses, 1 Paralipomenon ix. 3. The difference between this last record and the present, arises from Nehemias including many who returned with Esdras and with himself. (Calmet)
Ver. 5. Silonite. Or the son of Sela, 1 Paralipomenon ix. 5. (Tirinus)
Ver. 9. Second. Vicegerent of Joel, (Calmet) or commander of a second part of the city. (Syriac)
Ver. 11. Achitob had the inspection over the Levites and treasures. Eliasib was then pontiff. (Calmet)
Ver. 13. Amassai. Or (1 Paralipomenon ix. 12.) Maasai, the son of Adiel, the son of Jezra, the son of Mosollam, the son of Mosollamoth, the son of Emmer.
Ver. 14. The mighty, for riches and power; on which account this family was conspicuous.
Ver. 15. Semeia. The ancient Latin manuscripts read Sebenia. (Martinay.)
Ver. 16. Outward. For repairs of the temple, cultivation of the lands given by vow; also to buy provisions, sacred vestments, &c.
Ver. 17. Praise. Master of music. (Calmet) — Hebrew, “chief to begin the thanksgiving in prayer.” Syriac, “leader of the Jews in prayer.” (Haydock)
Ver. 21. Gaspha, were chiefs of the Nathinites. (Calmet) — Hebrew, “over the,” &c. Ophel was their place of residence, chap. iii. 26.
Ver. 22. Overseer. Literally, “bishop.” Hebrew pekid, which has the same meaning. (Haydock) — Christians styled him who was at the head, bishop; as the Athenians did their chief justice. (Grotius) (Estius) (Calmet)
Ver. 23. King’s. David’s, (chap. xii. 24,) or perhaps the Persian monarch, who had appointed a maintenance for the priests, &c., 1 Esdras vi., and vii. (Calmet) — Order. Hebrew, “that a certain portion should be for the singers, due for every day.” (Protestants)
Ver. 24. People. They addressed themselves to him, (Haydock) and he gave an exact account to the king (Calmet) of Persia. (Menochius)
Ver. 25. The houses. Hebrew, “and for the dwellings, (Calmet) or villages.” (Pagnin) (Menochius) — Villages. Literally, “daughters,” which is often used in this sense. (Haydock)
Ver. 26. Jesue. This, and many of the other cities, had changed names, or were not built in the time of Josue. (Calmet)
Ver. 30. Bersabee. The southern extremity of Juda, (Menochius) unto the valley on the east of Jerusalem. (Adrichomius 186.)
Ver. 34-35. Lod. Built by Samad, 1 Paralipomenon viii. 12. It is called Lod-Hadid, chap. vii. 37. — Ono had the same founder, and stood in the valley of craftsmen, chap. vi. 2., and 1 Paralipomenon iv. 14.
Ver. 36. Portions. The Levites dwelt in the cities assigned to these two tribes. (Calmet)
Bible Text & Cross-references:
Who were the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the other cities.
1 And the princes of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: but the rest of the people cast lots, to take one part in ten to dwell in Jerusalem, the holy city, and nine parts in the other cities.
2 And the people blessed all the men that willingly offered themselves to dwell in Jerusalem.
3 These, therefore, are the chief men of the province, who dwelt in Jerusalem, and in the cities of Juda. And every one dwelt in his possession, in their cities: Israel, the priests, the Levites, the Nathinites, and the children of the servants of Solomon.
4 And in Jerusalem there dwelt some of the children of Juda, and some of the children of Benjamin: of the children of Juda, Athaias, the son of Aziam, the son of Zacharias, the son of Amarias, the son of Saphatias, the son of Malaleel: of the sons of Phares,
5 Maasia, the son of Baruch, the son of Cholhoza, the son of Hazia, the son of Adaia, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zacharias, the son of the Silonite:
6 All these, the sons of Phares, who dwelt in Jerusalem, were four hundred sixty-eight valiant men.
7 And these are the children of Benjamin: Sellum, the son of Mosollam, the son of Joed, the son of Phadaia, the son of Colaia, the son of Masia, the son of Etheel, the son of Isaia.
8 And after him, Gebbai, Sellai, nine hundred twenty-eight.
9 And Joel, the son of Zechri, their ruler, and Judas, the son of Senua, was second over the city.
10 And of the priests, Idaia, the son of Joarib, Jachin,
11 Saraia, the son of Helcias, the son of Mosollam, the son of Sadoc, the son of Meraioth, the son of Achitob, the prince of the house of God,
12 And their brethren that do the works of the temple: eight hundred twenty-two. And Adaia, the son of Jeroham, the son of Phelelia, the son of Amsi, the son of Zacharias, the son of Pheshur, the son of Melchias,
13 And his brethren, the chiefs of the fathers: two hundred forty-two. And Amassai, the son of Azreel, the son of Ahazi, the son of Mosollamoth, the son of Emmer,
14 And their brethren, who were very mighty, a hundred twenty-eight: and their ruler, Zabdiel, son of the mighty.
15 And of the Levites, Semeia the son of Hasub, the son of Azaricam, the son of Hasabia, the son of Bonni,
16 And Sabathai and Jozabed, who were over all the outward business of the house of God, of the princes of the Levites.
17 And Mathania, the son of Micha, the son of Zebedei, the son of Asaph, was the principal man to praise, and to give glory in prayer, and Becbecia, the second, one of his brethren, and Abda the son of Samua, the son of Galal, the son of Idithum.
18 All the Levites in the holy city were two hundred eighty-four.
19 And the porters, Accub, Telmon, and their brethren, who kept the doors: a hundred seventy-two.
20 And the rest of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, were in all the cities of Juda, every man in his possession.
21 And the Nathinites, that dwelt in Ophel, and Siaha, and Gaspha, of the Nathinites.
22 And the overseer of the Levites, in Jerusalem, was Azzi, the son of Bani, the son of Hasabia, the son of Mathania, the son of Micha. Of the sons of Asaph, were the singing men in the ministry of the house of God.
23 For the king’s commandment was concerning them, and an order among the singing men, day by day.
24 And Phathahia, the son of Mesezebel, of the children of Zara, the son of Juda, was at the hand of the king, in all matters concerning the people,
25 And in the houses through all their countries. Of the children of Juda, some dwelt at Cariatharbe, and in the villages thereof, and at Dibon, and in the villages thereof, and at Cabseel, and in the villages thereof,
26 And at Jesue, and at Molada, and at Bethphaleth,
27 And at Hasersual, and at Bersabee, and in the villages thereof,
28 And at Siceleg, and at Mochona, and in the villages thereof,
29 And at Remmon, and at Saraa, and at Jerimuth,
30 Zanoa, Odollam, and in their villages, at Lachis, and its dependencies, and at Azeca, and the villages thereof. And they dwelt from Bersabee unto the valley of Ennom.
31 And the children of Benjamin, from Geba, at Mechmas, and at Hai, and at Bethel, and in the villages thereof,
32 At Anathoth, Nob, Anania,
33 Asor, Rama, Gethaim,
34 Hadid, Seboim, and Neballat, Lod,
35 And Ono, the valley of craftsmen.
36 And of the Levites, were portions of Juda and Benjamin.