these. Nehemiah had given the heads of families (Nehemiah 7:6-73 ) and the numbers of the four classes of priests (Nehemiah 7:39-42 ). Compare Ezra 2:36-39 . Here he inserts twenty-two names, the heads of priests' classes, or courses formed out of these four, "in the days of Jeshua" (Nehemiah 12:7 ). See Ezra 6:18 .
Ezra. Not th e Ezra of the book of Ezra.

chief = heads.

the Levites. Compare Ezra 2:40 with Ezr 7:43 , above.

over against = corresponding to those in Nehemiah 12:8 .
in the watches: i.e. the courses, or waitings.

Shebamah. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Septuagint, and Syriac, read "Shechaniah".

Helkai. Some codices, with six early printed editions, read "Hilkai".

Darius = Darius Hystaspis. See App-57 and App-58 .

the book of the chronicles: i.e. the public records or registers.

the man of God. See App-49 .
God. Hebrew. Elohim. (with Art.) = the [true]God. App-4 .

ward = charge.
thresholds = gatherings or storehouses.

governor = Pasha. Chaldee. pechah.

with thanksgivings. Psalms 14 7 would have been a suitable psalm for the occasion, and Psalms 122 .

the singers. Mentioned in Nehemiah 12:24 .
plain country = surrounding country.

the house of Gilgal. Hebrew Beth-Gilgal

companies of them that gave thanks. Heb, celebrations; "celebrations", or thanksgivings, put for the choirs who rendered them, by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), App-6 .

Hoshaiah. Compare Jeremiah 42:1 ; Jeremiah 43:2 .

Ezra. Not Ezra the scribe,

Of David: i.e. dating from, or invented by him.

the stairs. See Nehemiah 3:15 .

in = at.

offered. Hebrew. zabach. App-43 .
children = offspring.

some = men. Hebrew. 'enosh. App-14 .
offerings = heave offerings.
into them = by them: i.e. these officers; not into the chambers, for "chambers" is fem, and "them" is masculine
of the law. So in Cod. Hillel; but some codices, with one early printed edition, read "portions for thanksgiving".

ward = charge.
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

all Israel. Used of Judah, Benjamin, and those who returned with them. See note on 1 Kings 12:17 .
children = sons.