65 And the Tirshatha said to them that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up the priest with Urim and Thummim. 66 The whole congregation together was forty-two thousand three hundred and sixty, 67 besides their servants and their maids, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred and thirty-seven; and they had two hundred and forty-five singing-men and singing-women. 68 Their horses were seven hundred and thirty-six; their mules, two hundred and forty-five; 69 the camels, four hundred and thirty-five; the asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty. 70 And some of the chief fathers gave to the work. The Tirshatha gave to the treasure a thousand darics of gold, fifty basons, five hundred and thirty priests' coats.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Nehemiah 7:65-70
Commentary on Nehemiah 7:5-73
(Read Nehemiah 7:5-73)
Nehemiah knew that the safety of a city, under God, depends more upon the inhabitants than upon its walls. Every good gift and every good work are from above. God gives knowledge, he gives grace; all is of him, and therefore all must be to him. What is done by human prudence, must be ascribed to the direction of Divine Providence. But woe to those who turn back from the Lord, loving this present world! and happy those who dedicate themselves, and their substance, to his service and glory!