Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 11:36
And of the Levites [were] divisions [in] Judah, [and] in Benjamin.
36. were divisions in Judah and in Benjamin ] R.V. certain courses in Judah were joined to Benjamin. The A.V., which gives quite a wrong view of the passage, perhaps followed the Vulg., ‘de Levitis portiones Jud et Benjamin.’ The LXX. is very literal, . The meaning is quite unmistakeable. ‘Divisions’ or ‘sections’ of the Levitical community who in former times had been attached to the territory of Judah, were now settled in Benjamin.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Of the Levites were divisions – i. e., the Levites were scattered among various towns both in Judah and Benjamin.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 36. And of the Levites were divisions] The Levites had their dwellings in the divisions of Judah and Benjamin. This is probably the meaning: the Syriac says, They had the half of Judah and Benjamin; which is not likely.
THAT the people whose hearts were now turned towards the Lord, would make the best provision for the support of God’s work, and all those engaged in it, we may naturally suppose; but this could not be very great, as the complete service was not yet established, and the Levites themselves were few in number.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Or, for the Levites (to wit, those of them who were not settled in Jerusalem) there were divisions, i.e. places appointed for them, and distributed among them.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
36. And of the Levites weredivisions in Judah, and in BenjaminRather, there weredivisions for the Levites; that is, those who were not resident inJerusalem were distributed in settlements throughout the provinces ofJudah and Benjamin.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And of the Levites were divisions in Judah, and in Benjamin. They were scattered about, some here and some there, in both these tribes, for the better instruction of the people.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(36) And of the Levites.The fewness of the Levites in the country warranted their summary notice in this way.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
36. Divisions in Judah, and in Benjamin Rather, divisions of Judah to Benjamin. That is, divisions of Levites that had previously belonged to the tribe of Judah by having their homes in that tribe, were now assigned to Benjamin. This was probably done to equalize or rectify the proportion of Levites to each tribe.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
REFLECTIONS
MY soul! whilst thou readest the honourable testimony that is given to the people who willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem, the holy city; and observest how the people blessed them for it; think of the yet far happier privilege of those who dwell under the continual light of God’s countenance, and are citizens with the saints and of the household of faith. Their admission into the church is sacred; their residence there is blessed; great are their privileges, and everlastingly secure their interest. United to their spiritual head, the Lord Jesus; united to each other in him; members of his mystical body, and members of one another; how closely joined to Jesus; what blessings, mercies, enjoyments, portions, are they born to, and entitled to, by their new birth, redemption in Jesus, and their privileges in his blood and righteousness? My soul! is this thy mercy? Art thou indeed a resident in the holy city? Hath the Son of God made thee free indeed! oh! how sweet to live under his constant eye; to see now the king in his beauty by faith, and shortly to see him in his glory! Blessed king in Zion! precious Lord of Jerusalem, even the beloved Jerusalem, which in the days of thy flesh thou didst weep over; and for the redemption of which thou didst shed thy blood; be thou my chief joy, my daily portion. Thy people shall indeed dwell alone, and not be reckoned among the nations. They shall be continually praising thee. Lord, make me of the happy number, that dwelling in thy Jerusalem below I may at length be admitted into the new Jerusalem which is above, when she shall come down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband, to take all her citizens that God himself may be with them, tabernacle forever in them, and wipe away all rears from their eyes.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
were divisions, &c. : or, “Judah’s divisions [were assigned] to Benjamin”.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
And of: Jos 21:1-45, 1Ch 6:54-81
divisions: Gen 49:7
Reciprocal: 1Ch 9:22 – in their
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Neh 11:36. Of the Levites were divisions Or, for the Levites (those who were not settled in Jerusalem) there were divisions; places appointed for them and distributed among them. Thus were they settled free and easy, though few and poor. And they might have been happy but for that general lukewarmness with which they are charged by the Prophet Malachi, who prophesied about this time, and in whom prophecy ceased for some ages, till it revived in the great prophet.