Nehemiah 7:2, commentary and pictures

The verse belongs to the days of Ezra and Nehemiah, when Israel had dealings with Babylon and the ancient lands adjoining Israel. It comes after Nehemiah had finished the walls of Jerusalem and set up the gates, when he gave charge over Jerusalem to officers and appointed watches. The wall had been finished in fifty-two days, and even the enemies perceived that the work was wrought of God.

This building of the walls fulfilled Daniel's prophecy given nearly a hundred years before that the walls should be built even in troublous times. The enemies of the Jews were still active, and watchmen were set upon the wall all around, every one in his watch and every one over against his house. At that time the city was large and great, but the people were few therein and the houses were not built.

This took place in B.C. 444. Hanani and Hananiah were given oversight of Jerusalem because they were faithful, and Hananiah feared God above many, presenting faithfulness and reverence for God as qualifications for responsibility. Before going further in building, Nehemiah began a further reformation in the lives and worship of the people, with God putting it into his heart to gather the nobles and rulers and people to be reckoned by genealogy, so the number of the Jews was again given. Babylonian life and discoveries from those lands confirm the narrative and give light on it.