Nehemiah Organizes Jerusalem

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Chapter 7 records Nehemiah's efforts for the city. Having completed the wall he turns his attention to the city and the people themselves.

1. He appoints watchman on the walls.
2. He appoints porters, singers and Levites to the place of worship.
3. He appoints two governors to rule the city.
4. He set regulations concerning use of the gates.
5. Lastly, he reviewed the old register of the city inhabitants that he might bring back those families to rebuild their homes and businesses. The last verse of this chapter is the same as Ezra Ch. 2:70, "So the Priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the people, the Temple servants and all Israel lived in their towns." It is believed that Nehemiah and Ezra were both speaking of the same event even though Ezra came to Jerusalem some 13 years before Nehemiah.

Then, it appears, a census or registration was taken of those who had returned to Judea from Babylon. Nehemiah had found the old register; the one Ezra made before they left Babylon, and compared the genealogies and numbers. Thirty some years had passed yet the total remained the same, 42,360 people. Notice the Clan of Shallum had 138 members and all became Gate Keepers. Notice also, there were some whose genealogies could not be verified, several Clans of Priests had to have their genealogies checked by Urim and Thum-mim, the casting of lots. Lastly, the gifts from some of the leaders were listed.

It would appear from verse 73 that not all of the appointees lived in Jerusalem. It says that after the appointments were made, the people returned to their own homes and villages, coming back as their tour of duty demanded. But then after a year, they all returned and met in Jerusalem.

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