Rashi
Jewish
1040–1105
“who volunteered whose spirit inspired them to volunteer to dwell in Jerusalem to guard the city from enemies.”
From the early Church Fathers to now.
1 Jewish · 1 Reformed · 1 Methodist · 1 Catholic
“And the people blessed all the men that willingly offered themselves to dwell in Jerusalem.”
“who volunteered whose spirit inspired them to volunteer to dwell in Jerusalem to guard the city from enemies.”
“And the people blessed all the men that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem. Who were not taken by lot, but of their own accord settled at Jerusalem; they praised them for it, and wished them all happiness and prosperity, since they denied themselves of ease and profit for the sake of the public good; and it is this which makes the difference between the list of the inhabitants of Jerusalem in Ch1 9:2 &c. and this here, that takes in all that settled there, whether voluntarily or by lot; this only such as were fixed by the lot, and of them only those who were of greatest note and esteem, as Jarchi observes, and so it follows. &c. and this here, that takes in all that settled there, whether voluntarily or by lot; this only such as were fixed by the lot, and of them only those who were of greatest note and esteem, as Jarchi observes, and so it follows. Nehemiah 11:3 neh 11:3 neh 11:3 neh 11:3Now these are the chief of the province that dwelt in Jerusalem,.... That is, of Judea, reduced to a province by the king of Babylon, and now a province of the Persian monarchy: but in the cities of Judah dwelt everyone in his possession in their cities; in which they or their ancestors had formerly dwelt: to wit, Israel: the people in general of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, and such of the other tribes that returned with them: the priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants; of whom see Ezr 2:55.”
“All the men that willingly offered - Some volunteered their services, which was considered a sacrifice to patriotism at that time, as Jerusalem afforded very few advantages, and was a place of considerable danger; hence the people spoke well of them, and no doubt prayed for God's blessing upon them.”
“Blessed. Applauding their zeal and disinterestedness, as the city was yet only a heap of ruins. (Calmet) — Some from the other ten tribes returned; but the transactions of three tribes are more particularly noticed. (Ven. Bede) (Worthington)”
The in-app commentary runs from the Fathers to the early-modern record, then stops — that's where the public-domain sources end, not where the reading does. For the modern reading, follow the sources directly.