Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 11:2
And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem.
2. that willingly offered themselves ] Another group is here distinguished, i.e. those who volunteered to go and dwell in Jerusalem. They are not to be confused with those who were sent there, being chosen ‘by lot.’ They went of their own accord, moved by public spirit. The blessing of their countrymen shows the enthusiasm aroused by their patriotic action; at the same time, it may denote that residence in Jerusalem was recognised to be fraught with danger. To dwell in the ‘holy city’ was also to defend it from its many enemies, see chap. Neh 7:4. It is not stated that they were accepted as substitutes for those chosen by lot.
According to this explanation we are told in these two verses of three classes of dwellers in Jerusalem: ( a) the princes, ( b) ten per cent. of the inhabitants of the other towns selected by lot and forcibly transferred, and ( c) those who voluntarily migrated to the capital.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 2. All the men that willingly offered] Some volunteered their services, which was considered a sacrifice to patriotism at that time, as Jerusalem afforded very few advantages, and was a place of considerable danger; hence the people spoke well of them, and no doubt prayed for God’s blessing upon them.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Because they denied themselves, and their own safety and profit, for the public good; for this city was the butt of all the malicious plots of their enemies; and for the present it was rather chargeable than beneficial to its inhabitants; whereas the country did more easily and certainly afford them supplies.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And the people blessed all the men that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem. Who were not taken by lot, but of their own accord settled at Jerusalem; they praised them for it, and wished them all happiness and prosperity, since they denied themselves of ease and profit for the sake of the public good; and it is this which makes the difference between the list of the inhabitants of Jerusalem in 1Ch 9:2 c. and this here, that takes in all that settled there, whether voluntarily or by lot this only such as were fixed by the lot, and of them only those who were of greatest note and esteem, as Jarchi observes, and so it follows.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
2. The men, that willingly offered themselves Those who, being chosen by lot, willingly consented to remove their residence to Jerusalem. The words do not imply that any on whom the lot fell showed unwillingness to remove to the holy city. Doubtless all who were thus chosen cheerfully acquiesced, and, consulting not their own security so much as the public good, received the blessings of a grateful people.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Neh 11:2 And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem.
Ver. 2. And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves ] All the volunteers, those Liberi et libentes, free willing ones, that, moved with a zeal for God and his service, seated themselves at Jerusalem, though it were little for their safety or profit. Sincerity is an enemy to sinisterity; it strains out self-respects, and procures a man great respect in the hearts of good people, who are ready to commend them and pray for them, as here.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
blessed: Deu 24:13, Job 29:13, Job 31:20
willingly: Jdg 5:9, 2Co 8:16, 2Co 8:17
Reciprocal: Exo 25:2 – willingly Exo 39:43 – blessed them Jdg 5:2 – when 2Sa 14:22 – thanked Neh 4:22 – every one 1Co 9:17 – if I
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Neh 11:2. The people blessed all the men that willingly offered themselves Besides those who were chosen by lot, it seems there were some that voluntarily chose to go and live there, whom the people highly commended, beseeching God to bless and prosper them: for indeed they were worthy to be honoured, because they denied themselves, and their own safety and profit, for the public good, and the glory of God; seeking the restoration of their nation, the defence of their city, and the welfare of their country, and having zeal for the divine service performed there; for, no doubt, more profit accrued to those who settled in the country where they chose, and had as much ground to cultivate as they wished, than to those who were confined to the city, and the small portion of land which lay about it.