Nehemiah - 11:2



2 The people blessed all the men who willingly offered themselves to dwell in Jerusalem.

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Nehemiah 11:2.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
and the people give a blessing to all the men who are offering themselves willingly to dwell in Jerusalem.
And the people gave a blessing to all the men who were freely offering to take up their places in Jerusalem.
Then the people blessed all the men who freely offered themselves to live in Jerusalem.

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

All the men that willingly offered - Some volunteered their services, which was considered a sacrifice to patriotism at that time, as Jerusalem afforded very few advantages, and was a place of considerable danger; hence the people spoke well of them, and no doubt prayed for God's blessing upon them.

And the people blessed all the men that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem. Who were not taken by lot, but of their own accord settled at Jerusalem; they praised them for it, and wished them all happiness and prosperity, since they denied themselves of ease and profit for the sake of the public good; and it is this which makes the difference between the list of the inhabitants of Jerusalem in 1-Chronicles 9:2 &c. and this here, that takes in all that settled there, whether voluntarily or by lot; this only such as were fixed by the lot, and of them only those who were of greatest note and esteem, as Jarchi observes, and so it follows.

Blessed - Because they denied themselves, and their own safety and profit for the publick good; for this city was the butt of all the malicious plots of their enemies; and for the present it was rather chargeable than beneficial to its inhabitants.

*More commentary available at chapter level.


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