(13) And their brethren, heads of the house of their fathers.--We can hardly suppose so many as 1,760 priestly clans dwelling in the holy city. Either the phrase "heads of their father-houses" belongs to the last verse, and has been accidentally brought into its present position; or in this instance it means simply "heads of single families;" or "their brethren, heads of their (respective) clans," refers to other father-houses not mentioned by name, and the number 1,760 refers to all the guilds and clans of 1Chronicles 9:10-13, and should be separated from the preceding phrase by a semicolon. This last explanation is probably right. The total number given in Nehemiah 11:10-14 for the priests is 1,192. (See Note on 1Chronicles 9:9.)

Very able men.--See Margin, and 1Chronicles 7:9.

For the work.--"For" is wanting in the Hebrew. Perhaps "doers of" (Nehemiah 11:13) has Mien out.

9:1-44 Genealogies. - This chapter expresses that one end of recording all these genealogies was, to direct the Jews, when they returned out of captivity, with whom to unite, and where to reside. Here is an account of the good state into which the affairs of religion were put, on the return from Babylon. Every one knew his charge. Work is likely to be done well when every one knows the duty of his place, and makes a business of it. God is the God of order. Thus was the temple a figure of the heavenly one, where they rest not day nor night from praising God, Re 4:8. Blessed be His name, believers there shall, not in turn, but all together, without interruption, praise him night and day: may the Lord make each of us fit for the inheritance of the saints in light.And their brethren, heads of the house of their fathers, one thousand and seven hundred and threescore. These, with other priests, made up this number, which was greater than those of Judah and Benjamin, that dwelt in Jerusalem, put together:

very able men for the work of the service of the house of God: men that had not only strength of body, which some part of the work of the priests required; but had courage and fortitude of mind to set about the service of God with cheerfulness, and to preserve it from corruption.