1 Chronicles 4:23

“These were the potters, etc.] Or are the potters; the posterity of those men, who were so famous in their day, are now of mean employments: some of them made earthen pots; and some of them dwelt among plants and hedges; or were employed in planting gardens and orchards, and making fences for them; or, as others think, “dwelt in Netaim and Gadara”, cities in the tribe of Judah: there they dwelt with the king for his work; to make pots, plant gardens, and set hedges for him; either for the king of Judah, or it may be for the king of Babylon, where they were carried captive, and now chose to remain, doing those servile works for the king, without the city, in the fields.”

“Among plants and hedges - Rather, “in Netaim and Gederah” Joshua 15:36. With the king - Or, probably, “on the king’s property.” Both David and several of the later kings had large territorial possessions in various parts of Judaea 1Ch 27:25, 1 Chronicles 27:31; 2 Chronicles 26:10; 2Ch 27:4; 2 Chronicles 32:28-29. return to 'Top of Page'”

“There are - He seems to oppose their present servitude to their former glory, and to shew their mean spirits that had rather tarry among the Heathen to do their drudgery, than return to Jerusalem to serve God and enjoy their freedom. The king - Of Babylon: esteeming it a greater honour to serve that earthly monarch in the meanest employments, than to serve the king of kings in his temple. 1 Chronicles 4:27”

“Ch1 4:14; Psa 81:6 1 Chronicles 4:24”

“"These are the potters and the inhabitants of Netaim and Gedera." It is doubtful whether המּה refers to all the descendants of Shelah, or only to those named in Ch1 4:22. Bertheau holds the latter to be the more probable reference; "for as those named in Ch1 4:21 have already been denominated Byssus-workers, it appears fitting that those in Ch1 4:22 should be regarded as the potters, etc." But all those mentioned in Ch1 4:22 are by no means called Byssus-weavers, but only the families of Ashbea. What the descendants of Er and Laadan were is not said. The המּה may consequently very probably refer to all the sons of Shelah enumerated in Ch1 4:21 and Ch1 4:22, with the exception of the families…”