Nehemiah 8:1--13:31
people <05971> [A.M. 3559. B.C. 445. all the people.]
together <0259 0376> [as one man.]
front <06440> [before.]
Ezra <05830> [Ezra.]
bring <0935> [bring.]
priest <03548> [priest.]
assembly <06951> [congregation.]
understand .... heard <0995 08085> [could hear with understanding. Heb. understood in hearing.]
first <0259> [the first.]
read <07121> [he read.]
dawn <0216> [morning. Heb. light.]
understand <0241> [ears.]
towering ... platform <04026> [pulpit. Heb. tower. Maaseiah.]
Malkijah <04441> [Malchiah.]
Hashum <02828> [Hashum.]
Meshullam <04918> [Meshullam.]
opened ..................... opened <06605> [opened.]
view <05869> [sight. Heb. eyes. stood up.]
blessed <01288> [blessed.]
Amen Amen <0543> [Amen.]
lifted <04607> [with lifting.]
bowed <06915> [bowed.]
faces <0639> [with their faces.]
Jeshua <03442> [Jeshua.]
Bani <01137> [Bani.]
Sherebiah <08274> [Sherebiah.]
Akkub <06126> [Akkub.]
Hodiah <01941> [Hodijah.]
Maaseiah <04641> [Maaseiah.]
Kelita <07042> [Kelita.]
Azariah <05838> [Azariah.]
Jozabad <03107> [Jozabad.]
Hanan <02605> [Hanan.]
Pelaiah <06411> [Pelaiah.]
people ...... people <05971> [caused.]
imparting insight <07760 07922> [and gave the sense.]
Nehemiah <05166> [Nehemiah.]
governor <08660> [Tirshatha. or, governor. Ezra.]
Levites <03881> [the Levites.]
day <03117> [This day.]
mourn ... weep ........ weeping <056 01058> [mourn not.]
people ...... them ................... people <05971> [all the people.]
<03212> [Go your way.]
eat <0398> [eat.]
send <07971> [send.]
joy <02304> [the joy.]
quieted <02814> [stilled.]
tremendous <07971> [to send.]
<06213> [to make.]
insight <0995> [because.]
second <08145> [the second.]
consider ... words .... law <01697 08451 07919> [to understand the words of the law. or, that they might instruct in the words of the law.]
through <03027> [by. Heb. by the hand of. dwell.]
shelters <05521> [booths.]
festival <02282> [the feast.]
That is, the feast of tabernacles, which was held in the month {Tisri,} the seventh of the ecclesiastical year, in commemoration of the sojourning of the Israelites in the wilderness after they had been delivered from Egyptian bondage. For other particulars see the parallel passages.
make a proclamation <08085> [And that.]
Jerusalem <03389> [in Jerusalem.]
hill country <02022> [the mount.]
bring back <0935> [fetch.]
olive <02132> [olive.]
date palms <08558> [palm.]
roof <01406> [the roof.]
courtyard ..... courtyards <02691> [the courts.]
plaza .... Water Gate .... plaza ..... Gate <04325 08179 07339> [the street of the water gate.]
Gate ....... Ephraim Gate <08179 0669> [gate of Ephraim.]
temporary shelters ... lived <03427 05521> [sat under.]
Joshua <03442> [Jeshua.]
[Joshua.]
[Jesus. had not.]
So ...................... done <06213> [done so.]
very <03966> [there was.]
day ... day ..... day ........... days ... on .... day <03117> [day by day.]
assembly <06116> [a solemn assembly. Heb. a restraint. according.]
twenty-fourth <06242> [Now.]
On the first of this month was the feast of trumpets; on the tenth, the day of atonement; on the fourteenth began the feast of tabernacles, which lasted seven days, ending on the twenty- second; on the twenty-third, they separated themselves from their illegitimate wives; and on the twenty-fourth, they held a solemn day of fasting and confession of sin, and reading the law; the whole of which they closed by renewing their covenants.
twenty-fourth <06242> [twenty.]
month <02320> [of this month.]
Israelites <01121> [children.]
dust <0127> [earth.]
descent <02233> [the seed.]
foreigners <01121> [strangers. Heb. strange children.]
confessing <03034> [confessed.]
<06965> [they stood.]
fourth <07243> [one fourth.]
steps <04608> [stairs. or, scaffold. Jeshua.]
called out <02199> [cried.]
Stand up <06965> [Stand up.]
bless ....................... blessed <01288> [bless.]
glorious <03519> [thy glorious.]
lifted up <07311> [exalted.]
LORD <03068> [even thou.]
made <06213> [thou hast.]
heavens .... highest heavens ................................... heaven <08064> [the heaven.]
life <02421> [preservest.]
stars .......................... multitudes <06635> [the host.]
chose <0977> [choose.]
Ur <0218> [Ur.]
changed <07760> [gavest.]
perceived <04672> [foundest.]
established <03772> [madest.]
Canaanites <03669> [the Canaanites.]
fulfilled <06965> [hast performed.]
righteous <06662> [righteous.]
saw <07200> [didst see.]
heard <08085> [heardest.]
performed <05414> [shewedst.]
acted presumptuously <02102> [they.]
made <06213> [didst.]
split <01234> [divide.]
pursuers <07291> [their persecutors.]
stone <068> [as a stone.]
guided <05148> [thou leddest.]
path <01870> [in the way.]
down <03381> [camest.]
spoke <01696> [spakest.]
provided them <05414> [gavest.]
true laws <08451 0571> [true laws. Heb. laws of truth.]
known <03045> [madest.]
issued ....... them <06680> [commandedst.]
Moses <04872> [Moses.]
provided ............. you ............................... give <05414> [gavest.]
forth <03318> [broughtest.]
enter <0935> [go.]
<03027> [sworn. Heb. lift up thine hand.]
presumptuously <02102> [dealt.]
<07185> [hardened.]
obey <08085> [hearkened.]
There were two things to which the Israelites did not duly give heed, else they had not done as they did. The word of God they heard, but they gave no heed to God's commandments: and the works of God they saw, but were not mindful of his wonders. Had they really considered them as miracles, they would have obeyed from a principle of faith and holy fear: had they duly considered them as mercies, they would have obeyed from a principle of gratitude and holy love.
refused <03985> [refused.]
recall <02142> [mindful.]
rebelled <04805> [in their rebellion.]
Instead of {bemiryam,} "in their rebellion," seven MSS., one edition, and the LXX., have {bemitzrayim,} "in Egypt:" "appointed a captain to return to their bondage in Egypt."
appointed <05414> [appointed.]
God <0433> [a God.]
forgiveness <05547> [ready to pardon. Heb. of pardons. gracious.]
abandon <05800> [forsookest.]
great <07227> [in thy.]
pillar ................. pillar <05982> [the pillar.]
imparted .................. provided <05414> [gavest.]
good <02896> [good.]
withhold <04513> [withheldest.]
imparted .................. provided <05414> [gavest.]
forty <0705> [forty.]
clothes ........ feet <08008 07272> [their.]
gave <05414> [thou.]
allocated <02505> [divide.]
Sihon <05511> [Sihon.]
multiplied <07235> [multipliedst.]
brought ............ enter <0935> [broughtest.]
told <0559> [which thou.]
descendants <01121> [So the.]
subdued <03665> [thou subduedst.]
pleased <07522> [as they would. Heb. according to their will.]
fortified <01219> [strong.]
fertile land <0127 08082> [a fat land.]
wells <0953> [wells. or, cisterns. fruit trees. Heb. trees of food. did eat.]
fat <08080> [and became fat.]
They became effeminate, fell under the power of luxury, got totally corrupted in their manners, sinned against all the mercies of God, and then were destroyed by His judgments.
enjoyed <05727> [delighted.]
disobedient <04784> [they were.]
disregarded ... law <08451 07993> [cast thy law.]
killed <02026> [slew.]
committed <06213> [wrought.]
delivered ................................. provided <05414> [thou deliveredst.]
time <06256> [in the time.]
deliverers ... rescue <03467> [saviours.]
back ... doing evil ................... again <07451 07725 06213> [did evil again. Heb. returned to do evil.]
heard <08085> [heardest.]
time <06256 07227> [many times.]
solemnly admonished <05749> [testifiedst.]
behaved presumptuously <02102> [yet they.]
individual <0120> [which.]
boldly turned from <03802 05414> [withdrew the shoulder. Heb. gave a withdrawing shoulder.]
rebelled <07185> [and hardened.]
many years <08141 07227> [many years.]
prolonged ............ admonished <04900 05749> [forbear them. Heb. protract over them. testifiedst.]
Spirit <07307> [by thy spirit.]
prophets <05030> [thy prophets. Heb. the hand of thy prophets. therefore.]
abundant <07227> [for thy great.]
merciful <02587> [gracious.]
God <0430> [our God.]
keeps <08104> [keepest.]
hardship <08513> [trouble. Heb. weariness. little before thee.]
befallen .... kings ................... kings <04672 04428> [come upon us. Heb. found us. on our kings.]
days .......... day <03117> [since the time.]
righteous <06662> [Howbeit.]
wrong <07561> [but we.]
attention <07181> [nor hearkened.]
testimonies <05715> [thy testimonies.]
admonished <05749> [thou didst.]
serve <05647> [For they.]
kingdom <04438> [in their kingdom.]
Instead of {bemalkuthom,} "in their kingdom," {bemalkuthecha,} "in thy kingdom," is the reading of two of Dr. Kennicott's MSS., LXX., Syriac, and Arabic.
incredible <07227> [thy great.]
fertile land <0776 08082> [fat land.]
abundant <07235> [it yieldeth.]
rule <04910> [dominion.]
<03772> [we make.]
sealed <02856> [seal unto it. Heb. are at the sealing, or sealed.]
sealed <02856> [those that sealed. Heb. at the sealings.]
Nehemiah <05166> [Nehemiah.]
governor <08660> [Tirshatha. or, governor.]
son ... Hacaliah <02446 01121> [son of Hachaliah.]
Seraiah <08304> [Seraiah.]
Pashhur <06583> [Pashur.]
Amariah <0568> [Amariah.]
Malkijah <04441> [Malchijah.]
The original is uniformly Malchijah, or rather, Malkeeyah.
[Malchiah.]
Hattush <02407> [Hattush.]
Shebaniah <07645> [Shebaniah.]
Malluch <04409> [Malluch.]
Harim <02766> [Harim.]
Meremoth <04822> [Meremoth.]
Ginnethon <01599> [Ginnethon.]
[Ginnetho. Baruch.]
Meshullam <04918> [Meshullam.]
Abijah <029> [Abijah.]
Mijamin <04326> [Mijamin.]
Mijamin and Miamin are the same in the original, [MÅ’yÆ’mÅ’n <\\See definition 04326\\>,] which is a defective form of [MinyÆ’mÅ’n <\\See definition 04509\\>,] Miniamin.
[Miamin.]
[Miniamin.]
Bilgai <01084> [Bilgai.]
[Bilgah. Shemaiah.]
Jeshua <03442> [Jeshua.]
Henadad <02582> [Henadad.]
Shebaniah <07645> [Shebaniah.]
Hashabiah <02811> [Hashabiah.]
Sherebiah <08274> [Sherebiah.]
Parosh <06551> [Parosh.]
[Zattu.]
The original is uniformly Zattu.
Bani <01137> [Bani.]
[Binnui.]
Azgad <05803> [Azgad.]
Bigvai <0902> [Bigvai.]
Hashum <02828> [Hashum.]
rest <07605> [the rest.]
separated <0914> [all they.]
law <08451> [unto the law.]
<03045> [every one.]
participate <02388> [clave.]
enter into <0935> [entered.]
<03212> [to walk.]
given <05414> [given.]
through <03027> [by. Heb. by the hand of. to observe.]
LORD <03068> [the Lord.]
peoples <05971> [the people.]
holy day .................... day <03117 06944> [on the holy day.]
fallow <05203> [and that we.]
<04853> [the exaction.]
loan <03027> [debt. Heb. band.]
give <05414> [to charge.]
one third <07992> [the third part.]
According to the law, every one above twenty years of age was to give half a shekel to the sanctuary for a ransom for their souls. But, on account of the general poverty of the people, occasioned by their wars, and captivity, and by heavy tributes, etc., in the land of their captivity, this sum was reduced to the third part of a shekel.
presentation <04635> [the shewbread.]
regular ..... regular burnt offerings <08548 05930> [the continual burnt.]
work <04399> [all the work.]
cast <05307> [cast.]
wood offerings <07133 06086> [the wood offering.]
It was the business of the Nethinim to procure the wood for the fires of the temple: but it is probable few of them returned to their former masters after the captivity; and therefore they found it necessary to cast lots among the priests, Levites, and people, who should furnish the wood at appointed times. This bringing of the wood to the temple at last became a great day; and was constituted into a feast, called by Josephus, [Xylophoria,] "the carrying of the wood" (Bell. 1. ii. c. 17. sec.6).
times <06256> [at times.]
written <03789> [as it is written.]
firstborn .......... firstborn <01060> [the first-born.]
priests <03548> [unto.]
first <07225> [the first-fruits.]
storerooms <03957> [to the chambers.]
tenth <04643> [and the tithes.]
Levites .... Levites ....... Levites <03881> [when the Levites.]
tenth .... tithes <04643> [the tithe.]
The tithes of all the produce of the fields were brought to the Levites; and out of these a tenth part was given to the priests, which is here called the tithe of the tithes: see the parallel passages.
temple .......... treasury <01004 0214> [the treasure house.]
Israelites .... Levites <01121> [For the children.]
Israelites .... Levites <01121> [the children.]
neglect <05800> [we will not.]
leaders <08269> [the rulers.]
cast lots <01486 05307> [cast lots.]
Jerusalem certainly had many inhabitants at this time, but not sufficient to preserve the city, which was now encompassed with a wall, the building of which was going on fast. Nehemiah, therefore, obliged one-tenth of the country people to come and dwell in it, that the population might be sufficient for the defence of the city. Some volunteered their services, which was at that time considered a sacrifice to patriotism; as Jerusalem then afforded very few advantages, and was a place of considerable danger: hence "the people blessed them that willingly offered themselves."
one ..... ten <0259 06235> [one of ten.]
holy <06944> [the holy.]
blessing <01288> [blessed.]
volunteered <05068> [willingly.]
leaders <07218> [Now.]
There is a good deal of difference between this enumeration and that in Chronicles; as this comprehends not only those who came first with Zerubbabel, but also those who came with Ezra and Nehemiah: see on 1 Ch 9:18.
leaders <07218> [the chief.]
Israelites <03478> [Israel.]
temple attendants <05411> [Nethinims.]
sons <01121> [the children.]
settled <03427> [dwelt.]
Perez <06557> [Perez.]
The variation of Pharez and Perez is only found in the translation; the original being uniformly [Perets <\\See definition 06557\\>.]
[Pharez.]
[Phares.]
Col-Hozeh <03626> [Col-hozeh.]
Shelah <08023> [Shiloni.]
Some suppose Shiloni to be the name of a man; others derive it from Shiloh, the city so called; and others derive it from Shelah, son of Judah.
[Shelah.]
[Shelanites.]
descendants ..... son ..... son ..... son ..... son ..... son ..... son ..... son <01121> [the sons.]
Joed <03133> [Joed.]
It is probable that Joed was also called Hodaviah, and that Pedaiah had also the name of Hasenuah.
Judah <03063> [Judah.]
[Hodaviah. Hasenuah.]
Jedaiah <03048> [Jedaiah.]
One of Dr. Kennicott's MSS. omits, [bˆn <\\See definition 01121\\>,] {ben,} "son of," and reads "Jedaiah, Joiarib, Jachin:" which is nearly that of the parallel place. Joiarib, [Y“wyƒrŒyb <\\See definition 03114\\>,] is merely a contracted form of [Yeh“wyƒrŒyb <\\See definition 03080\\>,] Jehoiarib, by the elision of [Hˆ',] {hay.}
[Jehoiarib.]
Joiarib <03114> [Joiarib.]
Seraiah <08304> [Seraiah.]
Seraiah probably had also the name of Azariah.
[Azariah.]
supervisor <05057> [the ruler.]
He had the command over all secular matters; as the high priest had over all those which were spiritual.
Adaiah <05718> [Adaiah.]
Haggedolim <01419> [of one of the great men. or, of Haggedolim.]
Shemaiah <08098> [Shemaiah.]
Shabbethai <07678> [Shabbethai.]
external <02435> [had the oversight of. Heb. were over.]
external <02435> [outward.]
Calmet supposes they provided the victuals for the priests, the victims for the sacrifices, the sacerdotal vestments, the sacred vessels, and other necessaries for the service of the temple.
Zabdi <02067> [Zabdi.]
In the parallel passage, instead of Zichri, many manuscripts have Zabdi, as here: he is also called Zaccur.
[Zichri. to begin.]
thanksgiving <03034> [thanksgiving.]
Bakbukiah <01229> [Bakbukiah.]
holy <06944> [the holy.]
Akkub <06126> [Akkub.]
guarding <08104> [that kept.]
gates <08179> [the gates. Heb. at the gates.]
temple attendants ............ them <05411> [the.]
Ophel <06077> [Ophel. or, the tower.]
overseer <06496> [overseer.]
Uzzi <05813> [Uzzi.]
Bani <01137> [Bani.]
Hashabiah <02811> [Hashabiah.]
Mattaniah <04983> [Mattaniah.]
son ..... son ..... son ..... son ......... descendants <01121> [Of the sons.]
responsible <05048> [were over.]
royal <04428> [the king's.]
determined their activity <0548> [a certain portion. or, a sure ordinance.]
Meshezabel <04898> [Meshezabeel.]
Zerah <02226> [Zerah.]
[Zarah.]
[Zara. at the king's.]
Kiriath Arba <07153> [Kirjath-arba.]
Dibon <01769> [Dibon.]
[Dimonah. Jekabzeel.]
[Kabzeel.]
Moladah <04137> [Moladah.]
Beth Pelet <01046> [Beth-phelet.]
[Beth-palet.]
[Hazar-shua.]
[Beth-sheba.]
Ziklag <06860> [Ziklag.]
Meconah <04368> [Mekonah.]
Probably the Mechanam which Jerome (in Beth-macha) places eight miles from Eleutheropolis, towards Jerusalem.
En Rimmon <05884> [En-rimmon.]
Rimmon is placed by Eusebius in the south of Judah, 16 miles south of Eleutheropolis.
[Rimmon. Zareah.]
These variations are only chargeable to the translator; the original being uniformly ZorÆ’h.
[Zoreah.]
[Zorah. Jarmuth.]
Zanoah <02182> [Zanoah.]
Adullam <05725> [Adullam.]
Lachish <03923> [Lachish.]
Azekah <05825> [Azekah.]
Valley <01516> [the valley.]
Geba <01387> [from Geba. or, of Geba.]
[Gaba.]
Micmash <04363> [at Michmash. or, to Michmash.]
[Michmas.]
Aija <05857> [Aija.]
[Ai.]
[Hai.]
[Ai. Beth-el.]
Anathoth <06068> [Anathoth.]
Nob <05011> [Nob.]
Ramah <07414> [Ramah.]
[Rama. Gittaim.]
Zeboim <06650> [Zeboim.]
Lod <03850> [Lod.]
Valley <01516> [the valley.]
Levites <03881> [And of.]
divisions <04256> [divisions.]
We have in this chapter a record of little more than the names of a great many priests and Levites, that were eminent in their day among the returned Jews. It is good to know what our godly ancestors and predecessors were, that we may learn thereby what we should be.
priests <03548> [the priests.]
Zerubbabel <02216> [Zerubbabel.]
[Zorobabel. Salathiel. Jeshua.]
[Joshua. Seraiah.]
Malluch <04409> [Malluch.]
[Melicu.]
Shecaniah <07935> [Shechaniah.]
[Shebaniah. Rehum.]
[Harim. Meremoth.]
[Meraioth.]
Ginnethon <01599> [Ginnetho.]
Instead of Ginnetho, many MSS., and Vulgate have Ginnethon.
[Ginnethon. Abijah.]
[Abia.]
Mijamin <04326> [Miamin.]
[Miniamin. Maadiah.]
The variation between Moadiah, [M“wadyƒh <\\See definition 04153\\>,] and Maadiah, [Maadyƒh <\\See definition 04573\\>,] merely arises from the elision of [Vƒv,] {wav;} the LXX., however, in ver. 17, have [Maasai.]
[Moadiah.]
Joiarib <03114> [Joiarib.]
[Jehoiarib.]
Sallu <05543> [Sallu.]
The variation of [Call–w <\\See definition 05543\\>,] Sallu, and [Callay <\\See definition 05543\\>,] Sallai, is simply caused by the mutation of [Vƒv,] {wav} and [Y“wd,] {yood.}
[Sallai. the chief.]
"The chief of the priests" seem to have been the heads of the courses established by David.
Jeshua <03442> [of Jeshua.]
Jeshua <03442> [Jeshua.]
Mattaniah <04983> [Mattaniah.]
thanksgiving <01960> [the thanksgiving. that is, The psalms of thanksgiving.]
services <04931> [over against.]
Jeshua <03442> [Jeshua.]
Eliashib Eliashib <0475> [Eliashib.]
Jonathan ... Jonathan <03129> [Jonathan.]
Jaddua is supposed to be Jaddus the high priest, who went in his pontifical robes to meet Alexander the Great, when advancing to destroy Jerusalem; who was so struck with his appearance, that he forbore all hostilities, and granted many privileges to the Jews. According to Eusebius, he was high priest from A.M. 3665 to 3982.
leaders <07218> [the chief.]
Seraiah <08304> [Seraiah.]
Malluch <04409> [Melicu.]
[Malluch. Shebaniah.]
Two MSS., and Vulgate in ver. 3, have Shebaniah; and here many MSS. have Shechaniah.
[Shechaniah.]
Harim <02766> [Harim.]
[Rehum. Meraioth.]
[Meremoth.]
Iddo <05714> [Iddo.]
Ginnethon <01599> [Ginnethon.]
[Ginnetho.]
Miniamin <04509> [Miniamin.]
The LXX., and Vulgate have here [Miamin,] Miamin.
[Miamin. Moadiah.]
[Maadiah.]
Shemaiah <08098> [Shemaiah.]
Sallu <05543> [Sallai.]
[Sallu.]
Eliashib <0475> [Eliashib.]
recorded <03789> [recorded.]
Book <05612> [the book.]
Hashabiah <02811> [Hashabiah.]
<04687> [according.]
man <0376> [the man.]
contingent <04929> [ward.]
Mattaniah <04983> [Mattaniah.]
guarding <08104> [keeping.]
storerooms <0624> [thresholds. or, treasuries, or assemblies.]
Joiakim <03113> [Joiakim.]
Nehemiah <05166> [Nehemiah.]
dedication .......................... dedication <02598> [A.M. 3559. B.C. 445. the dedication.]
Jerusalem was the holy city, and the wall was built under the immediate superintendence and blessing of Jehovah: it was therefore proper that it should be dedicated to that God who was there worshipped by solemn praises, prayers, and sacrifices. The dedication seems to have consisted in processions of the most eminent persons around the walls, with thanksgivings to God, who had enabled them to bring the work to so happy a conclusion; and, no doubt, to all this were added a particular consecration of the city to God, and the most earnest invocation that He would take it under His guardianship, and defend it and its inhabitants against their enemies.
places <04725> [out.]
joyfully <08057> [gladness.]
thanksgiving <08426> [thanksgivings.]
district <03603> [plain.]
Netophathites <05200> [Netophathi.]
Beth <01004> [the house.]
Or, Beth-Gilgal, a village erected where the Israelites encamped after they had crossed the Jordan.
Geba <01387> [Geba.]
Azmaveth <05820> [Azmaveth.]
purified .... purified <02891> [themselves.]
leaders <08269> [the princes.]
two large <08147 01419> [two great.]
Dung Gate <08179 0830> [dung gate.]
Azariah <05838> [Azariah.]
trumpets <02689> [with trumpets.]
Zechariah <02148> [Zechariah.]
musical instruments <03627 07892> [musical instruments.]
Ezra <05830> [Ezra.]
Fountain Gate ............................... Gate <08179 05869> [the fountain gate.]
steps <04609> [the stairs.]
Jerusalem was built on very uneven ground, some hills being enclosed within the walls, there was a necessity, therefore, for steps, by which to ascend and descend; probably similar to what is seen in the city of Bristol.
Gate .............................. Water Gate <08179 04325> [water gate.]
second <08145> [other.]
Tower <04026> [tower.]
Broad <07342> [broad.]
Ephraim Gate .... Gate .... Gate ............... Gate ...... Gate <0669 08179> [the gate of Ephraim.]
<03465> [the old.]
Gate .... Gate ... Fish Gate ............... Gate ...... Gate <08179 01709> [the fish gate.]
Tower ...... Tower <04026> [the tower.]
Sheep <06629> [the sheep.]
Guard <04307> [the prison.]
trumpets <02689> [with trumpets.]
loudly <08085> [sang loud. Heb. made their voice to be heard.]
under the direction <06496> [overseer.]
offered <02076> [offered.]
God <0430> [God.]
women ... children <0802 03206> [the wives also.]
joy ......... rejoicing <08057> [the joy.]
<0582> [some.]
storerooms <05393> [chambers.]
law <08451> [of the law. that is, appointed by the law. Judah rejoiced.]
Heb. the joy of Judah. Levites.
who ... ministering <05975> [waited. Heb. stood.]
singers <07891> [the singers.]
service ....... service <04931> [the ward.]
That is, they suffered no unclean person to enter the temple.
Asaph <0623> [and Asaph.]
Zerubbabel <02216> [Zerubbabel.]
contributing <05414> [gave.]
set aside the portion ........ set aside the portion <06942> [and they.]
That is, the people separated, or set apart, the tenth of the produce of their lands for the use of the Levites; and the Levites separated the tenth of their tithes for the priests.
set aside the portion ........ set aside the portion <06942> [sanctified. that is, set apart.]
day <03117> [that day.]
Some suppose that the events recorded in these verses took place several years after those related in the preceding chapter, while Nehemiah was absent at the Persian court; but the introductory language, on that day, seems rather to imply that they occurred immediately, or at least about that time.
read <07121> [they read. Heb. there was read.]
hearing <0241> [audience. Heb. ears. the Ammonite.]
Moabite <04125> [Moabite.]
met <06923> [Because.]
hired Balaam <01109 07936> [hired Balaam.]
God <0430> [our God.]
heard <08085> [when they.]
removed from <0914> [that they.]
mixed ancestry <06154> [the mixed.]
Eliashib <0475> [Eliashib.]
appointed over ... storerooms <05414 03957> [having the oversight of. Heb. being set over.]
relative <07138> [allied.]
large <01419> [a great.]
commanded .... Levites <04687 03881> [which was commanded to be given to the. Heb. the commandment of the.]
Jerusalem <03389> [But.]
Jerusalem <03389> [was.]
Nehemiah came to Jerusalem in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes, and remained there till the thirty-second, being twelve years; then returned to Babylon; and probably, after about a year, got leave to revisit his brethren, and found matters as here stated.
thirty-second <08147> [the two.]
After ... time <03117 07093> [after certain days. Heb. at the end of days.]
requested <07592> [obtained I. or, I earnestly requested.]
Then ... discovered <0995> [understood.]
done ..... supplying <06213> [in preparing.]
<03415> [it grieved.]
threw <07993> [I cast.]
purified <02891> [they cleansed.]
grain offerings <04521> [the portions.]
fields <07704> [to his field.]
[contend.]
temple <01004> [Why is the house.]
positions <05977> [place. Heb. standing.]
brought <0935> [brought.]
storerooms <0214> [treasuries. or, storehouses.]
gave instructions <0686> [I made.]
Shelemiah <08018> [Shelemiah.]
Pedaiah <06305> [Pedaiah.]
assistant <03027> [next to them. Heb. at their hand. Zaccur.]
Mattaniah <04983> [Mattaniah.]
regarded <02803> [counted.]
distribution <02505> [their office. Heb. it was upon them. to distribute.]
remember ....... God .................. God <02142 0430> [Remember me.]
wipe out <04229> [wipe not.]
If thou wert strict to mark what is done amiss, even my good deeds must be wiped out: but, Lord, remember me in thy mercy, and let my upright conduct be acceptable to Thee! By some, Nehemiah has been thought to deal too much with God on the principle of merit. That he wished God to remember him for good is sufficiently evident, and who does not wish the same? But that he expected heaven for his good deeds does not appear; for it is perfectly clear that he expected nothing from God but through the greatness of his mercy.
kindness ..... done <02617 06213> [good deeds. Heb. kindnesses. house.]
services <04929> [offices. or, observations.]
treading winepresses <01869 01660> [treading wine.]
loads <04853> [burdens.]
warned <05749> [I testified.]
Tyre <06876> [men of Tyre.]
So ... registered <07378> [I contended.]
ancestors acted <06213 01> [Did not your.]
causing ..... bring ............... causing <0935 03254> [ye bring more.]
evening shadows began to fall <06751> [began to be.]
ordered ......... directed <0559> [I commanded.]
warned <05749> [I testified.]
by ... wall <02346 05048> [about the wall. Heb. before the wall. I will lay.]
<0559> [I commanded.]
purify <02891> [cleanse.]
holy <06942> [sanctify.]
remember <02142> [Remember.]
pity ........ great <02347 07230> [spare me.]
great <07230> [greatness. or, multitude.]
Ammon <03427> [married. Heb. made to dwell with them.]
Ashdod <0796> [Ashdod.]
Ammon <05984> [Ammon.]
spoke .................. unable ... speak <01696 05234> [could not speak. Heb. they discerned not to speak. each people. Heb. people and people.]
So ..... complaint <07378> [I contended.]
curse <07043> [cursed. or, reviled.]
struck <05221> [smote.]
pulled <04803> [plucked.]
swear <07650> [made them.]
you will <05414> [Ye shall not.]
Solomon <08010> [Did not Solomon.]
many <07227> [yet among.]
loved <0157> [who was beloved.]
hear <08085> [Shall we then.]
unfaithful <04603> [to transgress.]
sons .... son <01121> [And one.]
Josephus relates, that this young man was named Manasseh; and that at his request, Sanballat and the Samaritans built their temple upon mount Gerizim, in opposition to that at Jerusalem, at which he officiated, in some measure, according to the Mosaic ritual.
Joiada <03111> [Joiada.]
Eliashib <0475> [Eliashib.]
son-in-law <02860> [son in law.]
Sanballat <05571> [Sanballat.]
banished ... from <01272> [I chased.]
remember <02142> [Remember.]
defiled <01352> [because they have defiled. Heb. for the defilings of.]
covenant <01285> [the covenant.]
purified <02891> [cleansed.]
assigned <05975> [appointed.]
wood <06086> [the wood.]
remember <02142> [Remember.]
CONCLUDING REMARKS ON THE BOOK OF NEHEMIAH. Of Nehemiah, the author and principal actor in the events recorded in this book, the Jews speak as one of the greatest men of their nation. His concern for his country entitles him to the character of the first patriot that ever lived. Descended, according to some, of the family of Aaron, or according to others, of the tribe of Judah and allied to the royal family of David, in the course of Divine Providence, he was a captive in Babylon: but there his excellences were so apparent, that he was chosen by the Persian king to fill an office the most respectable and the most confidential in the whole court. Here he lived in ease and affluence: he lacked no good thing; and here he might have continued to live, in the same affluence, and in the same confidence; but he could enjoy neither, so long as he knew his people distressed, the sepulchres of his fathers trodden under foot, the altars of his God overturned, and his worship either totally neglected or corrupted. He sought the peace of Jerusalem; prayed for it; and was willing to sacrifice wealth, ease, safety, and even life itself, if he might be the instrument of restoring the desolations of Israel. And God, who saw the desire of his heart, and knew the excellences with which he had endowed him, granted his request, and gave him the high honour of restoring the desolated city of his ancestors, and the pure worship of their God. The opposition of Sanballat and the Samaritans, and the firmness and zeal with which he repelled their insults and ineffectual efforts cannot be read without the liveliest emotions; and will afford to the latest times, a noble and animating example of distinguished patriotism, united with the sincerest devotion to the interests of religion. The virtue and piety of this great and good man, appear with equal lustre in the numerous and important reformations he effected. He relieved the people from their hardships and oppressions, by abolishing the harsh and usurious practices of the nobles and rulers; gave up his own revenue, as governor of the province, for the benefit of the people; and, as a further means of conciliating their affections, exhibited an example of the most princely hospitality. As the best security for good morals, and the better observance of the laws of God, he re-established the offices of public worship, and prevented the profanation of the sabbath, which had arrived at a shameful excess; he furnished the returned captives with authentic registers, and enabled them, in the best manner possible, after so long and calamitous an interval, to trace the genealogies, and claim the inheritance of their respective families; and further, he accomplished the separation of the Jewish people from the mixed multitude, with which they had been incorporated, and annulled the numerous marriages which they had made with heathens and idolaters of every description. For disinterestedness, philanthropy, patriotism, prudence, courage, zeal, humanity, and every virtue that constitutes a great mind, and proves a soul in deep communion with God, Nehemiah will ever stand conspicuous among the greatest men of the Jewish nation; and an exemplar worthy of being copied by the first patriots in every nation under heaven.
