Nehemiah 7:1-5
7:1 a the wall was finished: The actual dedication of the wall is reported in 12:27-34 b.• The Levites usually assisted with caring for the Temple area, including guarding its gates.
7:2 c a faithful man who feared God: Hanani displayed two leadership characteristics favored by Nehemiah and God (see also 5:9 d, 15 e; Dan 6:4 f; Luke 16:10-12 g; 1 Pet 5:12 h).
7:3 i The gatekeepers were apparently supposed to close the gates during the time in the afternoon when people were resting and were not prepared to defend the city from attack. Elsewhere, similar language refers to the portion of the day when the sun is the hottest and people retreat inside (Gen 18:1 j; 2 Sam 4:5 k).
Summary for Neh 7:4-5: 7:4-5 l Most people lived in the country near their fields, so the population of Jerusalem was small. Apparently, a registration would encourage more people to settle in and near Jerusalem (7:73 m).
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