And Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chief of the Levites, had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God.
Jerusalem is called here the holy city (Neh 11:1), because there the temple was, and that was the place God had chosen to put his name there; upon this account, one would think, the holy seed should all have chosen to dwell there and have striven for a habitation there; but, on the contrary, it seems they declined dwelling there, 1.
Commenting on Nehemiah 11:1-19
But the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel,.... An high place or tower on the wall of Jerusalem, see Ch2 27:3, and Ziha, and Gispa, were over the Nethinims; had the oversight of them, and took care that they did their work; they were such themselves, but the principal of them, see Ezr 2:43.
THEIR NAMES. (Neh. 11:3-36) the chief of the province--that is, Judea. Nehemiah speaks of it, as it then was, a small appendix of the Persian empire. in the cities of Judah dwelt every one in his possession in their cities--The returned exiles, who had come from Babylon, repaired generally, and by a natural impulse, to the lands and cities throughout the country which had been anciently assigned them.
Commenting on Nehemiah 11:3-36