(12) And Adaiah the son of Jeroham.--Nehemiah 11:12 runs: "And their brethren, doers of the work of the house, 822; and Adaiah son of Jeroham, son of Pelaliah, son of Amzi, son of Zechariah, son of Pashur, son of Malchijah." Thus the line of Adaiah as given there exactly corresponds with the present passage, save that it inserts three names here wanting between Jerobam and Pashur: another illustration of the freedom of the compiler in dealing with these lists.

Malchijah was the fifth of the twenty-four priestly classes.

Maasiai the son of Adiel . . . son of Immer.--Immer was the sixteenth course of the priests. The parallel (Nehemiah 11:13) reads: "And his brethren, heads of clans, 242; and Amashsai son of Azareel, son of Ahzai, son of Meshillemoth, son of Immer, and their brethren, mighty men of valour, 128; and their overseer was Zabdiel son of Haggedolim." Amashsai and Maasiai are variants of the same name, and perhaps both bad spellings of Amasai (1Chronicles 6:35; 1Chronicles 12:18). Adiel may well be a mistake for Azareel. Jahzerah and Ahzai are evidently two forms of one name, Ahzai,--Ahaziah being perhaps more correct. Meshullam in our line is either an additional link, or a copyist's anticipation of part of the following name. The line in Nehemiah is therefore originally identical with the present. 1Chronicles 9:10-12 show that at the date of the present register three entire courses of the priests, and two clans representing two other courses, as well as the ruler or president of the Temple, dwelt in Jerusalem.

9:1-44 Genealogies. - This chapter expresses that one end of recording all these genealogies was, to direct the Jews, when they returned out of captivity, with whom to unite, and where to reside. Here is an account of the good state into which the affairs of religion were put, on the return from Babylon. Every one knew his charge. Work is likely to be done well when every one knows the duty of his place, and makes a business of it. God is the God of order. Thus was the temple a figure of the heavenly one, where they rest not day nor night from praising God, Re 4:8. Blessed be His name, believers there shall, not in turn, but all together, without interruption, praise him night and day: may the Lord make each of us fit for the inheritance of the saints in light.And Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashur,.... In this genealogy, between Jeroham and Pashur, were three more here omitted, Pelaliah, Amzi, Zechariah, Nehemiah 11:12, and then Pashur the son of Malchijah, as here:

and Maasiai the son of Adiel; whose pedigree is traced up from hence, through Jahzerah, Meshullam, Meshillemith, to Immer; one of the five heads of the courses settled by David, 1 Chronicles 24:14. The names of this man, and of his ancestors, are given, with some variation, in Nehemiah 11:13.