he walls of the city and putting an
end to the practice of usury, and of the violent opposition and
intrigues of the surrounding people. Chaps. 1-7:4. To this is appended a
genealogical list, which is the same for substance as that contained in
the second chapter of Ezra. Ch. 7:5-73.

Upon a comparison of the two catalogues, we find various
differences in respect to names and numbers. The differences of
names may be explained from the fact that it was common for men
to bear different titles, particularly if they were persons of
distinction; as, for example, Daniel and Belteshazzar,
Zerubbabel and Sheshbazzar. It is not certain upon what
principle the differences in numbers are to be explained. The
sum total of both catalogues is the same, namely, 42,360; from
which it is plain that the lists are in both cases partial,
since neither of them amounts to this sum. We add the following
suggestion from Grey's Key as quoted by Scott: "The sum of the
numbers, as separately detailed, will correspond, if to the
29,818 specified by Ezra, we add the 1,765 persons reckoned by
Nehemiah which Ezra has omitted; and, on the other hand, to the
31,089 enumerated by Nehemiah, add the 494, which is an overplus
in Ezra, not noticed by Nehemiah; both writers including in the
sum total 10,777 of the mixed multitude, not particularized in
the individual detail."

In the _second_ division we have an account of the solemn public reading
of the law of Moses at the feast of tabernacles, and, in connection with
this, of the renewal of the national covenant with Jehovah through the
signature and seal of the princes, Levites, and priests, in their own
behalf and that of the people. Chaps. 8-10. In this religious and
ecclesiastical transaction, Ezra the priest was the leader; Nehemiah, as
the Tirshatha, or civil governor, simply taking the lead of the princes
in the act of sealing.

The _third_ division contains, along with some genealogical lists, an
account of the measures taken by Nehemiah and the princes to increase
the number of residents in Jerusalem, of the solemn dedication of the
wall of Jerusalem, and of the rectification of various abuses which had
crept in partly during Nehemiah's absence at the court of Persia. Chaps.
11-13.

The date of Nehemiah's commission to rebuild the walls of
Jerusalem is important on account of its connection with the
seventy