MPV Commentary

The chief officials in Judea were responsible for overseeing the returned exiles who had settled in their ancestral cities throughout Judah.

In these cities, each person lived on his own property within the city walls, as was the natural practice among the returned exiles. The term "Israel" is used here to describe the entire community of Jews and Levites who had been restored after the Babylonian exile, even though many of them came from tribes other than Judah and Benjamin.

The Levites took possession of their designated cities according to their opportunities. The Nethinims, a group of men devoted to serving God, also settled in these cities.

At Jerusalem, some members of the tribe of Judah were living among the returned exiles. However, there is a discrepancy between this list and the one found in 1 Chronicles 9:1-9. This difference arose from changes in names over time due to circumstances or from alterations made by Jewish and Oriental practices.

The overseer mentioned here was likely a military captain or chief. The ruler of the house of God, also known as the assistant high priest, oversaw the daily operations within the temple.

Those responsible for managing the external affairs of the temple, such as collecting provisions, were tasked with overseeing the outward business of the house of God. This included duties like gathering offerings and supplies from outside Jerusalem.

The principal musician was in charge of leading the choir that sang during morning and evening sacrifices. They selected and guided the psalms to be sung at these times.

The sons of Asaph, who were Levites but did not rotate through Jerusalem as other temple officials, were responsible for managing the interior affairs of the temple. This included providing items needed for worship services within the temple.

It was by royal decree that the Persian king ordered the revival of the temple service in all its fullness and solemnity. The provision for singers was likely made at the request or suggestion of Ezra or Nehemiah.

Pethahiah, a Levite, held judicial power on behalf of the Persian monarch, handling cases of civil dispute or fiscal concerns.

Some members of Judah settled in Kirjath-arba, which had been rebuilt after the devastation caused by the Chaldean invasion. The region was likely repopulated before these individuals arrived.

The Levites were divided into groups that resided throughout the provinces of Judah and Benjamin, rather than being confined to Jerusalem.