On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever; Ver. 1. _On that day_] That great fast day, Nehemiah 9:1,2, &c. Or, after Nehemiah's return from the cour... [ Continue Reading ]
Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing. Ver. 2. _Because they met not the children of Israel_] A bare omission of observance subjected them to divine vengeance.... [ Continue Reading ]
Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude. Ver. 3. _Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law_] And were transformed into the same image therewith, by the Spirit of grace, who had made their flinty hearts to become fleshy, &c. W... [ Continue Reading ]
And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, [was] allied unto Tobiah: Ver. 4. _And before this_] Before the commandment came as a lamp, and the law a light, _as _ Pro 6:23 causing a reformation. As toads and serpents grow in dark and dirty cell... [ Continue Reading ]
And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which was commanded [to be given] to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests.... [ Continue Reading ]
But in all this [time] was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king: Ver. 6. _But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem_] And thence it was that things grew so far out of order. So... [ Continue Reading ]
And I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God. Ver. 7. _And I came to Jerusalem_] There was his heart before, _Animus est ubi amat, non ubi animat_ (Aug. de Cir. Dei, 1.9, e. 16). No sooner, therefore,... [ Continue Reading ]
And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber. Ver. 8. _And it grieved me sore_] Such was his zeal for God that he could not bear it; no more could Phineas those two naughty packs, nor Paul the idolatry of Athens, Acts 17:16, his spirit was move... [ Continue Reading ]
Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat offering and the frankincense. Ver. 9. _Then I commanded_] This was governor like: and blessed be he that hath a stomach for God, and will do his utmost for him, as occasion... [ Continue Reading ]
And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given [them]: for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field. Ver. 10. _And I perceived_] Heb. I took knowledge, and was soon sensible of it, as a great public mischief: for _ad tenuitatem beneficior... [ Continue Reading ]
Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place. Ver. 11. _Then contended I with the rulers_] Who had let loose the golden reins of authority, and, by a passive ministry at least, suffered this sacrilege, whilst... [ Continue Reading ]
Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries. Ver. 12. _Then brought all Judah_] Then, when there was no other remedy. There must be a compulsory means, or ministers shall be poorly maintained. _Quod si sustentandi essent de contributione populi, mis... [ Continue Reading ]
And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them [was] Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful, and their office [was] to distribute unto their brethren. Ver. 13. _And I made tr... [ Continue Reading ]
Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof. Ver. 14. _Remember me, O my God_] See Nehemiah 5:19 . _ And wipe not out my good deeds_] Forget not my labour of love: God requireth us to be his remembrance... [ Continue Reading ]
In those days saw I in Judah [some] treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all [manner of] burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified [against them] in the day wherein they sold victuals... [ Continue Reading ]
There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem. Ver. 16. _There dwelt men of Tyre also_] Phoenician merchants had their factors in Jerusalem. _ And all manner of ware_] Merchandise; for Tyre was... [ Continue Reading ]
Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing [is] this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day? Ver. 17. _Then contended I with the nobles_] Heb. With the white ones; that had white clothes, but black souls. The snow drift covers many a muck hill. See Nehemiah 13:1... [ Continue Reading ]
Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath. Ver. 18. _Did not your fathers thus_] And will ye abet and add to their wicked practices? Will ye needs espouse their sins, as a seed of serp... [ Continue Reading ]
And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and [some] of my servants set I at the gates, [that] there should no burden be brought in on the sa... [ Continue Reading ]
So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice. Ver. 20. So the merchants … lodged without Jerusalem] They would not easily be said, or take an answer, so desirous they were of some takings from the Jews. There is nothing in the world that is more pertinacio... [ Continue Reading ]
Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do [so] again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no [more] on the sabbath. Ver. 21. _Why lodge ye about the wall?_] His care was also lest God should be dishonoured in the suburbs. A little f... [ Continue Reading ]
And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and [that] they should come [and] keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, [concerning] this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy. Ver. 22. _And I commanded the Levites_] He might do it... [ Continue Reading ]
In those days also saw I Jews [that] had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, [and] of Moab: Ver. 23. _In those days saw I Jews_] Outwardly, at least (as the apostle distinguishes, Rom 2:28), and that also was then a prerogative, Romans 3:1, and shall appear to be so again, when their long looked for... [ Continue Reading ]
And their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews' language, but according to the language of each people. Ver. 24. _And their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod_] They had a mixture of their mother's both speech and spirit: the birth followed the belly... [ Continue Reading ]
And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, [saying], Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves. Ver. 25. _And cursed them_] _i.e._ I denounced God's... [ Continue Reading ]
Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin. Ver. 26. _Did not Solomon, king of Israel, &c._] Did not he deviate and... [ Continue Reading ]
Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives? Ver. 27. _To do all this great evil_] Here are three articles in the Hebrew, importing the heinousness of this sin. See the like, Genesis 39:9 . _ To transgress against our God_] No s... [ Continue Reading ]
And [one] of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, [was] son in law to Sanballat the Horonite: therefore I chased him from me. Ver. 28. _And one of the sons of Joiada_] His grandson Manasses, brother to Jaddua the high priest, a vile apostate, and first author of that famous schi... [ Continue Reading ]
Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business; Ver. 30. _Thus cleansed I them from all strangers_] As from so much filth and rubbish. I made them either put away their strange wives, or quit their places. He did not raise... [ Continue Reading ]
And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good. Ver. 31. _And for the wood offering_] See Nehemiah 10:34,35 . _ Remember me, O my God, for good_] See Nehemiah 5:19; Nehemiah 13:15; Nehemiah 13:22. He brags not, but prays, producing his good d... [ Continue Reading ]