서론
Nehemiah 12 Introduction
英文原文
This chapter is made up of two portions:
(a) lists of the leading priests and Levites at different periods Nehemiah 12:1-26:
(b) the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem Nehemiah 12:27-47.
This latter passage is certainly from the pen of Nehemiah, and was written probably about 433 B.C. The lists included in (a) are four:
(1) the chief priestly and Levitical families which returned to Jerusalem Nehemiah 12:1-9;
(2) the succession of the high priests from Jeshua to Jaddua Nehemiah 12:10-11;
(3) the actual heads of the priestly families in the time of the high priest Joiakim Nehemiah 12:12-21;
(4) the chief Levitical families at the same period Nehemiah 12:24-26.
Of these lists, List 1, List 3, and List 4, may have been drawn up in the time of Nehemiah, but List 2, in its present form, must be much later. See the introduction of the Book of Nehemiah.
1
Nehemiah 12:1
祭司們——這裏所列的名字共有二十二個，這數目大概與大衛的「班次」有關——那些班次共有二十四班（1 Chronicles 24:7-18）。其中八個名字與大衛時代各班首領的名字相同。將這份名單與在尼希米之約上蓋印的家族名單（Nehemiah 10:2-8）相比較，便會發現前十六個名字以幾乎相同的次序重現於該文件中，而末後六個名字則未見於其中。看來這六家既拒絕在尼希米之約上蓋印，便在此被置於其餘各家之下，列於一種補充的名單裏。請特別留意在 Nehemiah 12:6 與 Nehemiah 12:19 中，把名單的後半與前半連接起來的那個「和」字。
英文原文
The priests - The number of the names here given, which is 22, is probably to be connected with that of the Davidic "courses," which was 24 1 Chronicles 24:7-18. Eight names are identical with those of the heads in David's time. On comparing the present list with that of the families who sealed to Nehemiah's covenant Nehemiah 10:2-8, we shall find that the first sixteen recur in that document nearly in the same order; but that the last six are absent from it. It would seem that as these six declined to seal to Nehemiah's covenant, they were placed below the rest here in a sort of supplementary list. Note especially the "and" which connects the second part of the lists with the earlier part, both in Nehemiah 12:6 and in Nehemiah 12:19.
8
Nehemiah 12:8
這裏提到的利未家族中，起初回歸的只有三家，即耶書亞、甲篾、以及猶大（又稱何達威雅）三家（Nehemiah 7:43）。其餘的必定是後來才回歸的。
英文原文
Of the Levitical houses here mentioned, three only returned at first, those of Jeshua, Kadmiel, and Judah or Hodevah Nehemiah 7:43. The others must have returned subsequently.
10
Nehemiah 12:10
這六代大祭司所涵蓋的時期略多於兩個世紀（主前538-333年），每代約三十五年不到。押杜亞就是那位（據約瑟夫記載）在伊蘇斯之戰後不久與亞歷山大大帝會面的大祭司。
英文原文
The six generations of high priests covered a little more than two centuries (538-333 B.C.), or a little under thirty-five years to a generation. Jaddua was the high priest who (according to Josephus) had an interview with Alexander shortly after the battle of Issus.
22
翻譯準備中 · 英文原文Nehemiah 12:22
These verses interrupt the account of the church officers in the time of Joiakim, resumed in Nehemiah 12:24. They appear to be an addition to the original text, made about the time of Alexander the Great, when the Books of Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah would seem to have first taken their existing shape. The same writer who introduced these verses, probably also added Nehemiah 12:11 to the original text.
Darius the Persian - Probably Darius Codomannus (336-331 B.C.), the antagonist of Alexander the Great. See the introduction of the Book of Nehemiah.
This passage shows that the practice of keeping a record of public events in state archives was continued after the return from the captivity, at least to the time of Johanan, the son, i. e., "the grandson," of Eliasbib.
24
翻譯準備中 · 英文原文Nehemiah 12:24
Jeshua the son of Kadmiel - If the reading be sound, this Jeshua must have been the head of the Levitical family of Kadmiel in the time of Joiakim; but (compare Nehemiah 8:7; Nehemiah 9:4), some read "Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel," etc.
Ward over against ward - i. e., "alternately," one part of the choir corresponding the other.
25
翻譯準備中 · 英文原文Nehemiah 12:25
In 1 Chronicles 9:17, 1 Chronicles 9:24, 1 Chronicles 9:26, four families of porters only are mentioned; six are implied here, in Nehemiah 7:45, and in Ezra 2:42. From 1 Chronicles 26:14-19 it appears that the temple had four chief gates, fronting the cardinal points, and two minor ones, "toward Asuppim," and "at Parbar."
27
翻譯準備中 · 英文原文Nehemiah 12:27
The dedication of the wall - The ceremony had been deferred for the space of nearly 12 years Nehemiah 13:6. Perhaps Nehemiah required an express permission from the Persian king before he could venture on a solemnity which might have been liable to misrepresentation.
Out of all their places - i. e., out of the various cities of Judah and Benjamin in which they dwelt Nehemiah 11:36.
28
翻譯準備中 · 英文原文Nehemiah 12:28
The plain country round about Jerusalem - Perhaps the valleys of Hinnom and Jehoshaphat, which enclose Jerusalem on three sides, are intended.
The villages of Netophathi - Rather, as in 1 Chronicles 9:16. Netophah lay near Bethlehem 1 Chronicles 2:54, and is perhaps represented by the modern Antubeh.
29
翻譯準備中 · 英文原文Nehemiah 12:29
The house of Gilgal - Or, "Beth-Gilgal" - probably the Gilgal north of Jerusalem (now "Jiljilia).
31
翻譯準備中 · 英文原文Nehemiah 12:31
I brought up - Note the resumption of the first person, which has been laid aside since Nehemiah 7:5, and which is confirmed now to the end of the book. It is generally allowed that we have here once more a memoir by Nehemiah himself.
The two "companies" or choirs, having ascended the wall on its western face, near the modern Jaffa Gate, stood looking eastward toward the city and temple; then the southern choir, being on the right, commenced the circuit of the southern wall, while the choir upon the left proceeded round the northern wall Nehemiah 12:38-39, until both met on the eastern wall, between the water and the prison gates.
34
翻譯準備中 · 英文原文Nehemiah 12:34
"Judah and Benjamin" are the lay people of those two tribes.
37
翻譯準備中 · 英文原文Nehemiah 12:37
Above the house of David - This choir or procession went above (or beyond) the old palace of David, following the line described in Nehemiah 3:16-26, on their way to the eastern wall.
44
翻譯準備中 · 英文原文Nehemiah 12:44
Judah rejoiced - Judah's satisfaction with the priests and Levites took the shape of increased offerings, more ample tithes, and the like, from where the appointment of treasuries and treasurers became necessary.
45
翻譯準備中 · 英文原文Nehemiah 12:45
The ward of the purification - The observances with respect to purification. Compare 1 Chronicles 23:28.
47
翻譯準備中 · 英文原文Nehemiah 12:47
The intention is to compare the religious activity and strictness of Nehemiah's time with that which had prevailed under Zerubbabel, as described by Ezra Ezr 6:16, Ezra 6:22. It is implied that the intermediate period had been a time of laxity.
They sanctified holy things ... - i. e, "the people paid their tithes regularly to the Levites, and the Levites paid the tithe of the tithes to the priests."
本章由兩部分組成：
（a）不同時期主要祭司與利未人的名單（Nehemiah 12:1-26）；
（b）耶路撒冷城牆的奉獻禮（Nehemiah 12:27-47）。
後一部分確實出自尼希米的手筆，大概寫於主前433年左右。（a）所包含的名單有四份：
（1）歸回耶路撒冷的主要祭司家族與利未家族（Nehemiah 12:1-9）；
（2）從耶書亞到押杜亞的大祭司世系（Nehemiah 12:10-11）；
（3）大祭司約雅金時期祭司家族的實際首領（Nehemiah 12:12-21）；
（4）同一時期主要的利未家族（Nehemiah 12:24-26）。
在這些名單中，第一、第三與第四份名單可能是在尼希米的時期編製的；但第二份名單按其現今的形式，必定晚得多。參見尼希米記導論。