And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews. Ver. 1. _And there was a great cry_] Such as seditious ones use to set up in their outrageous uproars; or such as is the expression of great grief and anguish of heart. _ Of the people_] The ignobile common... [ Continue Reading ]
For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, [are] many: therefore we take up corn [for them], that we may eat, and live. Ver. 2. _We, our sons, and our daughters are many_] That is a mercy, had we but keeping for them. Their wives were very fruitful; _sed luctuosa faecunditate_ (as J... [ Continue Reading ]
Nehemiah 5:3 [Some] also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth. Ver. 3. _We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, &c._] Lands they had, but were little the better for them. Husbandry they had neglected to give attendan... [ Continue Reading ]
There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute, [and that upon] our lands and vineyards. Ver. 4. _There were also that said_] Here was a third complaint to good Nehemiah; to whom whosoever lamented were sure to have redress and remedy, he did not serve these poor people as... [ Continue Reading ]
Yet now our flesh [is] as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and [some] of our daughters are brought unto bondage [already]: neither [is it] in our power [to redeem them]; for other men have our lands a... [ Continue Reading ]
_And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words._ Ver. 6. _And I was very angry_] Red-hot with anger, and not without cause. To be angry without cause is to be guilty of judgment, Matthew 5:22, but in case of God's dishonour, and public prejudice, moderation is mopishness, toleration c... [ Continue Reading ]
Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them. Ver. 7. _Then I consulted with myself_] As reason required; he was very angry, but yet he keeps within compass, and practise... [ Continue Reading ]
And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing [to answer]. _8. And I said unto them, We after our ability_] This he s... [ Continue Reading ]
Also I said, It [is] not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies? Ver. 9. Also I said, It is not good that ye do No oratory is so powerful as that of mildness. The drops that fall easily upon the corn ripen and fill the ear; wh... [ Continue Reading ]
I likewise, [and] my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money and corn: I pray you, let us leave off this usury. Ver. 10. I likewise, and my brethren … might exact money] To wit, for money we have lent them; or as a recompense of our public employments. But _posse et nolle, nobile est_... [ Continue Reading ]
Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the hundredth [part] of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them. Ver. 11. _Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day_] While you are in a melting te... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said they, We will restore [them], and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise. Ver. 12. _Then said they, We will restore them_] This was well said; and Nehemiah took course i... [ Continue Reading ]
Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise. Ver. 13. _Also I shook m... [ Continue Reading ]
Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, [that is], twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor. Ver. 14. _From the time that I was appoint... [ Continue Reading ]
But the former governors that [had been] before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God. Ver. 15. _But the former governors_] Those that... [ Continue Reading ]
Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants [were] gathered thither unto the work. Ver. 16. _Yea, also I continued in the work_] He meaneth, saith Lyra, that he wrought with his own hands to draw on others the more, when they should see their gove... [ Continue Reading ]
Moreover [there were] at my table an hundred and fifty of the Jews and rulers, beside those that came unto us from among the heathen that [are] about us. Ver. 17. _Moreover there were at my table, &c._] He did not eat his morsels alone, as that Pamphagus Nabal; and as many misers today, who, like l... [ Continue Reading ]
Now [that] which was prepared [for me] daily [was] one ox [and] six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this required not I the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people. Ver. 18. _Now that which was... [ Continue Reading ]
Think upon me, my God, for good, [according] to all that I have done for this people. Ver. 19. _Think upon me, my God, for good_] _i.e._ Both of grace and glory, saith Lyra; a confluence of all comforts and contentments, especially spiritual blessings in heavenly things, Ephesians 1:3. He that firs... [ Continue Reading ]