Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 12:47
And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah, gave the portions of the singers and the porters, every day his portion: and they sanctified [holy things] unto the Levites; and the Levites sanctified [them] unto the children of Aaron.
47. in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah ] The mention of Nehemiah in the 3rd person along with Zerubbabel is an almost convincing proof that the sentence was not from the hand of Nehemiah; but that it was written (probably by the Chronicler) at a considerable interval of time since Nehemiah’s death. The two men are here mentioned as the two heroes of their generation, under whom Israel was loyal to their Temple.
gave sanctified ] The participles in the Heb. show the continuous habit.
every day his portion ] R.V. as every day required. In Neh 11:23, we are told a daily provision for the singers was one of the commands of the Persian king: but there was also doubtless a regular daily payment on their behalf made by the people.
sanctified holy things unto the Levites ] R.V. sanctified for the Levites. ‘They sanctified,’ i.e. all Israel (not ‘the singers and the porters’) set apart for the use of those who served God. The word ‘sanctify’ is therefore equivalent to ‘devote’ or dedicate in this connexion: cf. Lev 27:14; Lev 27:16 sqq. ‘sanctify a house a field;’ 1Ch 26:27 ‘Out of the spoil won in battles did they dedicate to repair the house of the Lord.’ There is no idea of a succession of ritual acts of consecration.
the children of Aaron ] This expression only occurs in our books here and Neh 10:38. In neither passage have we the words of Nehemiah himself but of the Compiler, who was probably also the Chronicler, with whom the term is a favourite one for ‘the priesthood,’ e.g. 2Ch 13:9-10 ; 2Ch 31:19; 2Ch 35:14.
The sanctifying of Israel for the Levites consisted in the payment of the tithes to the house of Levi; the sanctifying on the part of the Levites for the priests, in the payment of ‘the tithe of the tithes’ (see Neh 10:38) in accordance with Num 18:26.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The intention is to compare the religious activity and strictness of Nehemiahs time with that which had prevailed under Zerubbabel, as described by Ezra Ezr 6:16, Ezr 6:22. It is implied that the intermediate period had been a time of laxity.
They sanctified holy things … – i. e, the people paid their tithes regularly to the Levites, and the Levites paid the tithe of the tithes to the priests.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 47. All Israel – gave the portions of the singers] The singers and the porters were supported by the people at large; and each of these had their portions served out to them daily.
And they sanctified – unto the Levites] The things which were provided for sacred uses were delivered by the people to the Levites, and the Levites presented them to the priests.
The children of Aaron.] This may refer principally to the tithes which the people brought to the Levites; the tithe or tenth of which the Levites gave to the priests. The presenting these tithes is termed sanctifying them; that is, dedicating them to those sacred or ecclesiastical uses for which they were designed: this is a very general meaning of the word sanctify in Scripture.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
They sanctified holy things, i.e. they sequestered or set apart the first-fruits and tithes from their own share, and devoted them to the use of the Levites, to whom they belonged. And so did the Levites by the tithe of the tithes. Thus they all conscientiously paid their dues to God, or his assigns, and did not profane, those things which God had sanctified, nor take them to their own common use, as divers ungodly or covetous persons had formerly used to do when they had opportunity.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
47. all Israel . . . sanctified holythings unto the Levites,&c. The people, selecting thetithes and first-fruits, devoted them to the use of the Levites, towhom they belonged by appointment of the law. The Levites acted inthe same way with the tithes due from them to the priests. Thus allclasses of the people displayed a conscientious fidelity in payingthe dues to the temple and the servants of God who were appointed tominister in it.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah, gave the portions of the singers and the porters every day his portion,…. While these two men governed they did their duty, and punctually paid the Levites their dues at the proper season:
and they sanctified holy things unto the Levites; set them apart for their use, and brought them to them, their offerings, firstfruits, and tithes: and the Levites sanctified them unto the children of Aaron; the Levites set apart the tenth part of the tithes, and delivered them to the priests, and so each had what belonged to them.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(47) The Levites.Between the people and the priests came the Levites, who received the tithe and gave the priests their tithe of the tithe (Num. 18:26).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
47. Gave the portions The tithes and other contributions necessary for the support of the singers and porters.
They sanctified holy things unto the Levites They set apart, as things consecrated to holy uses, the portions designed for the Levites. Instead of holy things it is better simply to substitute them, referring to the portions just named.
And the Levites sanctified them unto the children of Aaron The Levites were required to give a tithe of the tithes (compare Neh 10:38) to the priests, here called sons of Aaron. So of all the tithes committed to them they set apart a tenth for the priests. “Ye also shall offer a heave offering unto the Lord of all your tithes,” etc. See the law in Num 18:26-29.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
REFLECTIONS
FROM the perusal of this Chapter my soul may learn that the minutest point belonging to the church of Jesus, in all ages, hath been interesting, The very porters of God’s house are spoken of with honourable testimony. David, indeed, though a prince, and a great one, declares himself that he would rather have been a door-keeper in the house of God than dwell in the tents of ungodliness. Think, then, my soul, to what an honour art thou arrived, if so be Jesus hath betrothed thee to himself, and made thee his in an everlasting covenant and union not to be broken? Pause, and contemplate thine high privileges. Given by God thy Father to the person of his dear Son, Jesus hath bought thee, purchased thy ransom, subdued the unwillingness and stubbornness of thy nature by the sovereignty of his grace; endowed thee with all spiritual gifts, and graces, and blessings; undertaken, by the influences of his Spirit, to complete thine education; and by his own power when life is ended to bring thee unto glory. Are these thy mercies, my soul, and thy privileges in Jesus! And dost thou not love him, adore him, desire to live to him; and make him thy whole glory? Oh! precious Redeemer! be thou more and more precious, more and more lovely and desirable to my view. Oh, marvellous grace! Oh, stupendous mercy! Jesus hath loved me, and given himself for me, an offering and a sacrifice of a sweet smelling savour! Lord! banish all other thoughts, drive out every buyer and seller from thy temple, which is my body and thy lawful right. Come in, Lord Jesus, and live, and reign, and dwell there. Be thou my God, my Lord, my righteousness, and let my soul’s salvation be to thy glory.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
all Israel. Used of Judah, Benjamin, and those who returned with them. See note on 1Ki 12:17.
children = sons.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Zerubbabel: Neh 12:1, Neh 12:12, Neh 12:26
gave: Neh 10:35-39, Neh 13:10-12, 2Ch 31:5, 2Ch 31:6, Mal 3:8-10, Gal 6:6
and they: That is, the people separated, or set apart, the tenth of the produce of their lands for the use of the Levites; and the Levites separated the tenth of their tithes for the priests. Num 18:21-29
sanctified: that is, set apart
Reciprocal: Num 1:50 – thou shalt Num 3:17 – Gershon Deu 18:8 – like portions 2Ki 25:30 – a daily rate Mal 3:10 – the storehouse
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Neh 12:47. They sanctified holy things unto the Levites They set apart the first-fruits and tithes from their own share, and devoted them to the use of the Levites. And so did the Levites by the tithe of tithes. Thus they all conscientiously paid their dues, and did not profane those things which God had sanctified, nor take them unto their own common use. When what is contributed for the support of religion is given with an eye to God, it is sanctified, and will cause the blessing to rest upon the house, and all that is therein.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
12:47 And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah, gave the portions of the singers and the porters, every day his portion: and they sanctified [holy things] unto the Levites; and the Levites {n} sanctified [them] unto the children of Aaron.
(n) That is, the tenth part of the tithes.