The next step in the consolidation is to remedy the lack of population in Jerusalem (7:4–72). The people prefer to live in the villages out in the countryside. How can Nehemiah persuade some to live in Jerusalem? He seeks and receives God’s guidance, then plans to call a meeting of the leaders and all the people in order to take a census. He begins with a list of those who came from Babylon ninety-three years ago (in 538 BC). The list occupies the next sixty-seven verses (7:6–72).
The list apparently interr…
Baker Publishing Group, The Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary, by Gary M. Burge