“¶ Now the first inhabitants that dwelt in their possessions, in their cities, were the Israelites, the Priests, Leuits, and the Nethinims.”
1611 King James Version (KJV)
9:2 The first - After the return from Babylon. Dwelt - Thattook possession of their own lands and cities, which had been formerlyallotted them; but of late years had been taken from them for their sins,and possessed by other people. Israelites - The common people ofJudah and Israel, called here by the general name of Israelites,which was given them before that unhappy division of the kingdoms, andnow is restored to them when the Israelites are united with the Jewsin one and the same commonwealth, that so all the names and signs of theirformer division might be blotted out. And though the generality of theten tribes were yet in captivity, yet divers of them upon Cyrus'sgeneral proclamation, associated themselves, and returned with those ofJudah and Benjamin. Levites - These took possession of the citiesbelonging to them, as they had need and opportunity. Nethinims - Acertain order of men, either Gibeonites or others joined with them,devoted to the service of God, and of his house, and of the priestsand Levites; who, that they might attend upon their work withoutdistraction, had certain places and possessions given to them; whichthey are now said to repossess.