65 The governor ruled that they could not eat from the holy food until a priest could determine their status by using the Urim and Thummim. 66 The total count for the congregation was 42,360. 67 That did not include the male and female slaves who numbered 7,337. There were also 245 male and female singers. 68 And there were 736 horses, 245 mules, 69 435 camels, and 6,720 donkeys. 70 Some of the heads of families made voluntary offerings for the work. The governor made a gift to the treasury of 1,000 drachmas of gold (about nineteen pounds), 50 bowls, and 530 garments for the priests.
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!