Nehemiah 13:1
ON THAT DAY] the particular time intended is uncertain. WAS FOUND WRITTEN] see Deuteronomy 23:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
ON THAT DAY] the particular time intended is uncertain. WAS FOUND WRITTEN] see Deuteronomy 23:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE REFORM OF ABUSES The reforms embraced the separation of Israel from the mixed multitude and the abolition of certain abuses that had arisen in connexion with the chambers of the Temple, the provision for the Levites, the observance of the sabbath, and mixed marriages.... [ Continue Reading ]
SEPARATED] see Ezra 9:10. ALL THE MIXED MULTITUDE] cp. Exodus 12:33; Numbers 11:4. The term may be illustrated by Ezra 9:2, where 'mingled themselves with the peoples of _those_ lands' is a kindred expression.... [ Continue Reading ]
ELIASHIB] previously mentioned in Nehemiah 3:1; Nehemiah 12:10. CHAMBER] RV 'chambers.' 6. THE TWO ANDTHIRTIETH YEAR] i.e. 433 b.c. OBTAINED I LEAVE] i.e. to return to Palestine.... [ Continue Reading ]
UNDERSTOOD OF] better, 'perceived.'... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR] RV 'so that.' The Levites not receiving the support due to them had to work to maintain themselves.... [ Continue Reading ]
FORSAKEN] i.e. unprovided for. GATHERED THEM] i.e. the Levites.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT EVIL.. THE SABBATH] The protests made by the prophets and others against the profanation of the sabbath (see Ezekiel 20:12; Ezekiel 20:20; Ezekiel 44:24; Isaiah 56:4; Isaiah 56:6; Isaiah 58:13) eventually brought the Jews to observe it so strictly that they even allowed themselves to be massacr... [ Continue Reading ]
_That_ HAD MARRIED WIVES, etc] The same practice was condemned by Ezra (Nehemiah 9:10).... [ Continue Reading ]
THEIR CHILDREN SPAKE HALF] better, 'of their children half spake,' etc.... [ Continue Reading ]
OUTLANDISH] i.e. foreign.... [ Continue Reading ]
CHASED HIM FROM ME] i.e. expelled him from the Jewish community. According to Josephus (who, however, places the incident at a much later date) Joiada's son was named Manasseh, and when expelled by Nehemiah, was induced by his father-in-law Sanballat to join him at Samaria by the promise of being ap... [ Continue Reading ]
DEFILED THE PRIESTHOOD] The actual high priest was prohibited from taking as his wife any but a virgin of his own people (Leviticus 21:14).... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WARDS OF] better, 'charges for.' At this point the OT. record of Nehemiah closes; but in 2Ma 2:13 it is added that he collected together 'the books about the kings and prophets, and the books of David, and letters of kings about sacred gifts'—a statement the precise meaning of which it is unnece... [ Continue Reading ]