Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 11:23
For [it was] the king’s commandment concerning them, that a certain portion should be for the singers, due for every day.
23. For it was] R.V. For there was.
the king’s commandment ] R.V. a commandment from the king.
That this was the Persian king Artaxerxes is shown by the reference to ‘the king’ in Neh 11:24, and by the similar instances of favour to the Temple at Jerusalem on the part of Artaxerxes. Cf. Neh 2:8; Ezr 7:20-24.
concerning them ] Who are spoken of? the singers, the Levites, or their officers and overseers?
The context seems in favour of the Levites. The name of Uzzi who was at once ‘overseer’ of the Levites and by descent of the family of Asaph, suggested the parenthetical statement, that there was a royal edict in favour of the Levitical community, and a special provision made for the singers.
that a certain portion should be for ] R.V. and a settled provision for. Marg. ‘Or, a sure ordinance concerning ’. The clause is not dependent on (as A.V.), but co-ordinate with its predecessor. The word rendered ‘settled provision’ ( emanah) is that rendered ‘a sure covenant’ in Neh 9:38. An abstract word, it perhaps denotes the fixity of the arrangement on behalf of the singers rather than the nature of its provisions. ‘Sure ordinance’ is therefore to be preferred as a rendering; and this rendering presents a closer parallel to ‘commandment.’
due for every day ] R.V. as every day required. Cf. Neh 12:47. Literally, ‘the thing of a day on its day,’ as LXX. . A common Hebrew phrase, e.g. Exo 5:13; Exo 5:19; Exo 16:4; Lev 23:37; 1Ki 8:59; 2Ki 25:30 ; 1Ch 16:37; 2Ch 8:14; 2Ch 31:16; Ezr 3:4; Jer 52:34; Dan 1:5.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The goodwill of Artaxerxes toward the ministers employed in the temple service, had been previously shown by his exempting them from taxation of every kind Ezr 7:24. Now, it would seem, he had gone further and assigned to the singers an allowance from the royal revenue.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 23. It was the king’s commandment] By the king some understand David, and others Artaxerxes. It is most probable that it was the latter; who wished that a provision should be made for these, a part of whose office was to offer up prayers also, as well as praises. For we know that Darius made an ample provision for the priests, that they might offer sacrifices of sweet savour unto the God of heaven; and pray for the life of the king and of his sons, Ezr 6:10. Some have thought that they had been Jewish singers employed in the service of the Persian king, to whom he had given a salary, and to whom he wished still to continue the same.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
For; or, therefore; for the following words contain either a reason why they were set over that business, or a recompence for it, or a provision that they might diligently attend to it.
The kings commandment; either,
1. Davids, who made this constitution. Or rather,
2. The kings of Persia, who is called simply the king in the next verse also; who took this care at the request and by the direction of Ezra or Nehemiah. Or this might be Nehemiahs command, which is called the kings command, because it was done by the kings deputy, or a commissioner whom the king empowered to do what he saw fit for the house and service of God, commanding all the people to obey him therein; as he had formerly done to Ezra, Ezr 7:18,20,23.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
23. it was the king’s commandmentItwas the will of the Persian monarch in issuing his edict that thetemple service should be revived in all its religious fulness andsolemnity. As this special provision for the singers is said to havebeen by the king’s commandment, the order was probably given at therequest or suggestion of Ezra or Nehemiah.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
For it was the king’s commandment concerning them,…. Either of King David as some, see Ne 12:24 or rather of the king of Persia:
that a certain portion should be for the singers, due for every day; he settled a daily salary for them, to be paid out of his treasury; having perhaps a peculiar respect for such sort of men, being a lover of music, by means of which they had a settled habitation in Jerusalem.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(23) The kings commandment.It seems that Artaxerxes had gone beyond the exemption of Ezr. 7:24, and given them a daily allowance, which it was the business of Uzzi to see to.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
23. The king’s commandment The king here referred to is not David, who originally arranged and made provision for the Levites, (1 Chronicles 23-26 ,) but the Persian king, Artaxerxes, who gave commandment concerning them to Ezra. Compare his decree, Ezr 7:12-26.
A certain portion , a firm, or sure agreement, a covenant. The English version gives the view of many interpreters, who understand that a stipulated allowance of food was granted to the singers. But the Hebrew may be thus literally rendered: and an agreement was upon the singers, a matter of day in its day. That is, the singers were bound by a settled agreement to perform a certain amount of service on each particular day. Each day had its own matter of service for these singers. Perhaps, however, the thought of allowance may also be included.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Neh 11:23. It was the king’s commandment, &c. 1:e. As it is generally thought, the commandment of the king of Persia, who, out of his great munificence, gave it for their better support; it being common in all countries to have a particular regard for those who sung hymns in praise of their gods. Houbigant renders the words, was at the king’s hand, in the next verse, was the king’s minister.
REFLECTIONS.1st, Jerusalem, the holy city, though now walled, and the temple service carried on, was but thinly inhabited. Note; (1.) The fear of man deters many from dwelling in the holy city. (2.) Selfish ends and private advantages are generally more powerful inducements than God’s glory, and the interests of his church and people. To remedy this evil, we have the steps taken to replenish it with inhabitants.
1. The rulers of the people, with their families and attendants, fixed there, as the duty of their office required, and as an encouragement to others to follow their example. Note; (1.) They whom God distinguishes with honour should distinguish themselves by zeal for his cause. (2.) A great and good example is very prevalent.
2. Many voluntarily offered themselves, and received the deserved commendations of their brethren, who could not but praise that generous self-denial which they cared not to imitate. Note; (1.) Many more will commend what is excellent than copy it. (2.) They who, for God’s glory, forego their own advantage, shall never lose their reward.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Neh 11:23 For [it was] the king’s commandment concerning them, that a certain portion should be for the singers, due for every day.
Ver. 23. The king’s] viz. Of Persia, Ezr 6:8-9 ; Ezr 7:2 ; Ezr 7:24 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
the king’s: i.e. Darius Hystaspis. Compare Ezr 7:24. See App-57and App-58.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
the king’s: 1Ch 9:33, Ezr 6:8, Ezr 6:9, Ezr 7:20-24
a certain portion: or, a sure ordinance
Reciprocal: Exo 16:4 – a certain rate every day 2Ki 25:30 – a daily rate
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Neh 11:23. It was the kings commandment, &c. That is, as it is generally thought, the commandment of the king of Persia, who, out of his great munificence, gave it for their better support, it being common in all countries to have a particular regard for those who sung hymns in praise of their gods. Houbigant renders the words, was at the kings hand, in the next verse, was the kings minister.