Nehemiah 12:36

Neh 12:36 And his brethren, Shemaiah, and Azarael, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethaneel, and Judah, Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God, and Ezra the scribe before them.

Ver. 36. And Ezra before them] Before the first company, as Nehemiah came after the second, Neh 12:4. As the first went round from the west southward till they came to the east; so the second company went from the west northward, till they came to the east, where they both met at length in the Temple, Neh 12:41. Praising God with all sorts of music, vocal and instrumental. This was a most solemn and sacred procession, far different from those of the Papists. The French historian telleth us of their Henry, that going in procession together with his cardinal, they had in the middle between them Morionem, nugas et ineptias agentem, a jester to make them sport; here was good devotion therewhile. The philosopher told the fiddlers, he could be merry without them. And Aristotle being asked what he thought of music? answered, Iovem nec canere, neque cytharam pulsare, Jupiter neither sings nor plays on an instrument. But though God needeth it not, careth not for it; yet so far as it might excite and further devotion, these holy priests and Levites made use of the musical instruments of David (called musical instruments of God, 1Ch 16:42), and Ezra before them, as a guide; they also sang aloud, and so generally rejoiced, that their joy was heard even afar off, Neh 12:42-43. This was right.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

That is, the brethren of Zaccur.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

(36) With the musical instruments of David the man of God.—No part of the service deviated from sacred precedents (comp. Neh_12:27).

Ezra the scribe before them.—Between the singers and the princes came he who was the greatest in dignity, though the second in office.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

36. Azarael … Nethaneel] R.V. Azarel … Nethanel. These two names recall ‘Nethaniah and Asharelah, the sons of Asaph,’ in 1Ch_25:2.

David the man of God] Cf. Neh_12:24.

Ezra … before them] The mention of Ezra’s name here seems to indicate that he held in respect of the ‘right hand’ procession the same position occupied by Nehemiah in the other. If so, the words ‘before them’ will mean, not at the head of the professional musicians (which was Zechariah’s place), but at the head of the whole civil and religious procession. His place in the procession would then be before Hoshaiah and half of ‘the princes of Judah’ (Neh_12:31-32).

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And from above the gate of Ephraim,.... The gate which led to the tribe of Ephraim, where that tribe formerly dwelt, see Neh 8:16

and above the old gate; of which mention is made, Neh 3:6

and above the fish gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Meah, even unto the sheep gate; of all which see Neh 3:1, and they stood still in the prison gate; which was not a gate of the city, but of the court of the prison, Neh 3:25, which was near both the king's palace and the temple, see Jer 20:1.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

CHAPTER XII.

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

36. The musical instruments of David — Such instruments as David invented, and introduced into the sacred service. Comp. 1Ch_15:16; 1Ch_23:5; 2Ch_29:26.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

The musical instruments of David. Cymbals, psalteries, and harps. See above, ver. 27, and comp. 1Ch_15:16, 1Ch_15:19-21. The Jews had become acquainted with a great variety of musical instruments during the captivity, (Dan_3:7 Psa_150:4, Psa_150:5) but rigidly excluded all except the old instruments from the service of religion. Ezra the scribe before them. As their leader. It is interesting to find no jealousy separating Ezra from the governor who had superseded him. As the two conjointly had addressed the people on a former occasion, (Neh_8:9) so now they conjointly conducted the ceremony of the dedication.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

There also were

"Along with them were"

Zechariah ... Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, Hanani ... David ... Ezra

These are the names of males. (See: How to Translate Names)

Ezra the scribe was in front of them

"Ezra the scribe was leading them"

Fountain Gate ... Water Gate

These are the names of openings in the wall.

translationWords

Zechariah (OT)

David

God

Ezra

scribe

fountain

gate

city of David

palace

water

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.

And his brethren the colleagues of Zechariah the priest.

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.