He had been hired to scare me so that I would do this and thereby sin. They would thus bring reproach on me and I would be discredited.

The men of Bethlehem and Netophah, 188;

the men of Bethel and Ai, 123;

The singers: the descendants of Asaph, 148.

and his followers, Gabbai and Sallai – 928 in all.

(3:33) Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall he became angry and was quite upset. He derided the Jews,

The fifth time that Sanballat sent his assistant to me in this way, he had an open letter in his hand.

Then the Levites quieted all the people saying, “Be quiet, for this day is holy. Do not grieve.”

But the former governors who preceded me had burdened the people and had taken food and wine from them, in addition to forty shekels of silver. Their associates were also domineering over the people. But I did not behave in this way, due to my fear of God.

This very day return to them their fields, their vineyards, their olive trees, and their houses, along with the interest that you are exacting from them on the money, the grain, the new wine, and the olive oil.”

over the Ephraim Gate, the Jeshanah Gate, the Fish Gate, the Tower of Hananel, and the Tower of the Hundred, to the Sheep Gate. They stopped at the Gate of the Guard.

My God placed it on my heart to gather the leaders, the officials, and the ordinary people so they could be enrolled on the basis of genealogy. I found the genealogical records of those who had formerly returned. Here is what I found written in that record:

the descendants of Delaiah, the descendants of Tobiah, and the descendants of Nekoda, 642.

The entire group numbered 42,360,

The people gave their blessing on all the men who volunteered to settle in Jerusalem.

of Abijah, Zicri; of Miniamin and of Moadiah, Piltai;

There were 150 Jews and officials who dined with me routinely, in addition to those who came to us from the nations all around us.

So in the days of Zerubbabel and in the days of Nehemiah, all Israel was contributing the portions for the singers and gatekeepers, according to the daily need. They also set aside the portion for the Levites, and the Levites set aside the portion for the descendants of Aaron.

Some of the family leaders contributed to the work. The governor contributed to the treasury 1,000 gold drachmas, 50 bowls, and 530 priestly garments.

So all the people departed to eat and drink and to share their food with others and to enjoy tremendous joy, for they had gained insight in the matters that had been made known to them.