What does the chapter distinguish between Nehemias’s watch orders and the earlier returnee register?

Atlas of Saints · Chapter summary

Nehemias restricted gate opening and appointed resident watches, then found an earlier returnee register; the edition marks where the quoted record ends and his history resumes.

Chapter breakdown

Once the wall of Jerusalem had been constructed, its gates mounted, and the gatekeepers, singers, and Levites enrolled, Nehemias appointed his brother Hanani alongside Hananias, ruler of the house of Jerusalem, to oversee the security of the city. He selected Hananias because he was a trustworthy man who feared God more than most. Nehemias instructed them never to open the city gates until the sun grew hot, and to ensure that guards shut and barred the doors while the gatekeepers stood watch. Inhabitants of Jerusalem were assigned to regular guard shifts, with residents stationed directly opposite their own homes. Although the perimeter of the city was vast and spacious, the resident population remained small, and many houses were still unbuilt.

Prompted by God, Nehemias assembled the nobles, magistrates, and general populace to conduct a systematic census. Consulting the genealogical register of the initial exiles who had returned from Babylon following their deportation by King Nabuchodonosor, he recorded the families led by Zorobabel, Josue, Nehemias, Azarias, Raamias, Nahamani, Mardochai, Belsam, Mespharath, Begoia, Nahum, and Baana. The register enumerated each clan and locality of Israel, including 2,172 descendants of Pharos, 372 of Sephatia, 652 of Area, 2,818 of Phahath Moab through Josue and Joab, 1,254 of Elam, 845 of Zethua, 760 of Zachai, 648 of Bannui, 628 of Bebai, 2,322 of Azgad, 667 of Adonicam, 2,067 of Beguai, 655 of Adin, 98 of Ater through Hezechias, 328 of Hasem, 324 of Besai, 112 of Hareph, 95 of Gabaon, 188 of Bethlehem and Netupha, 128 of Anathoth, 42 of Bethazmoth, 743 of Cariathiarim, Cephira, and Beroth, 621 of Rama and Geba, 122 of Machmas, 123 of Bethel and Hai, 52 of the other Nebo, 1,254 of the other Elam, 320 of Harem, 345 of Jericho, 721 of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, and 3,930 of Senaa.

The sacred personnel comprised 973 priests of Idaia in the house of Josue, 1,052 of Emmer, 1,247 of Phashur, and 1,017 of Arem; 74 Levites through Josue and Cedmihel from Oduia; 148 singers of Asaph; and 138 gatekeepers across the houses of Sellum, Ater, Telmon, Accub, Hatita, and Sobai. The temple servants and descendants of Solomon's servants totaled 392. Certain returnees from Telmela, Thelharsa, Cherub, Addon, and Emmer could not verify their ancestral lineage, including 642 members of Dalaia, Tobia, and Necoda, while priestly families descended from Habia, Accos, and Berzellai lacked official genealogical records and were consequently excluded from the priesthood. The governor, styled Athersatha, forbade them from eating the most sacred offerings until a priest equipped with understanding should arise. In total, the congregation numbered 42,360 individuals, accompanied by 7,337 male and female servants, 245 singing men and women, 736 horses, 245 mules, 435 camels, and 6,720 donkeys.

Following the historical registry citation, the narrative resumes with contributions given for the work. The governor contributed 1,000 gold drachmas, 50 ceremonial basins, and 530 priestly vestments to the treasury. Other heads of ancestral houses donated 20,000 gold drachmas and 2,200 pounds of silver, while the rest of the congregation provided 20,000 gold drachmas, 2,000 pounds of silver, and 67 priestly vestments. The chapter ends by saying that the priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, temple servants, and the entire assembly of Israel dwelt in their cities.

The edition’s annotation identifies Athersatha as Nehemias and offers two explanations: a name used at the Persian court, where he was cupbearer, or a title meaning governor.

The story inside

The order says the sun must be hot before gate opening, without specifying noon. The register preserves family counts and records priestly claimants whose entries could not be found. An editorial note separates the earlier record from the subsequent account of offerings and residence. The chapter records these actions and statements without establishing a general guarantee for other cases.

Lessons worth keeping

1
The order says the sun must be hot before gate opening, without specifying noon.
2
The register preserves family counts and records priestly claimants whose entries could not be found.
3
An editorial note separates the earlier record from the subsequent account of offerings and residence.

Test your recall

How does the editorial transition keep the earlier register distinct from Nehemias’s own account?

Source edition and notes

Douay–Rheims, revised by Richard Challoner (1749–1752). Project Gutenberg no. 1581. Locators refer to lines in the admitted pg1581.txt edition. Source notes may include Challoner commentary.

Lines 49511–49514
And I said to them: Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened till the sun be hot. And while they were yet standing by the gates were shut, and barred: and I set watchmen of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, every one by their courses, and every man over against his house.
Lines 49669–49673
These sought their writing in the record, and found it not: and they were cast out of the priesthood. 7:65. And Athersatha said to them, that they should not eat of the holies of holies, until there stood up a priest learned and skilful.
Lines 49691–49693
And some of the heads of the families gave unto the work. Athersatha gave into the treasure a thousand drams of gold, fifty bowls, and five hundred and thirty garments for priests.