Nehemiah 9
1645EABNehemiah 9:1
THis moneth] Chap. 8. 2.
the children of Israel were assembled with fasting] They were humbled by the law read, chap. 8. and put away their strange wives and confesse their sin, in this chapter, and renew their covenant with God in the next chapter.
Nehemiah 9:2
strangers] Heb. strange chldren.
Nehemiah 9:3
one fourth part of the day] In likelihood they began at the time of the morning-sacrifice, and continued in preaching and prayer till the time of the evening-sacrifice, which was from nine in the fore-noon, till three in the after-noon, and contained the two fourth parts of the day here mentioned, their day consisting of twelve hours, John 11:9.
they confessed] They made confession of their sins, and used prayer and praise.
Nehemiah 9:4
stairs] Or, scoffold. It is likely that they stood on divers scaffolds, that they might not hinder one another, and that all the people might hear. See the Notes on chap. 8. 4, 7.
Nehemiah 9:5
which is exalted above all blssing and praise] Which is more glorious then any tongue can expresse.
Nehemiah 9:6
Thou, even thou art Lord] They begin to praise God from the excellency of his nature, and the famous works of creating and preserving the creatures, and the honour done to him by the highest and best of the creatures.
thou hast made heaven &c.] Genesis 1:1.
therein] Heb. thereon.
Nehemiah 9:7
who didst choose] Then he praiseth God for his covenant with Israel, and benefits bestowed on that people; which were the more praise-worthy, because the people were rebellious.
Abram] Genesis 11:31. and 12. 1.
Abraham] Genesis 17:5.
Nehemiah 9:8
faithfull] Genesis 15:6.
madest a covenant with him] Genesis 12:7. and 15. 18. and 17. 7, 8.
thou art righteous] That is, faithfull and true of thy word, 1 John 1:9. Hebrews 6:10.
Nehemiah 9:9
And didst see the affliction] Exod. 3. . and 14. 10.
Nehemiah 9:10
And shewedst signes] Exod. 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, and 14. chapters.
so didst thou get thee a Name] Isaiah 63:12.
Nehemiah 9:11
And thou didst divide the sea] Exod. 14. 21, 22.
into the mighty waters] Exodus 15:10.
Nehemiah 9:12
thou leddest them] Exodus 13:21.
Nehemiah 9:13
Thou emest down] Exodus 19:20. and Exodus 20:1.
true laws] Heb. laws of truth.
Nehemiah 9:15
And gavest them bread from heaven] Exod. 16. 14, 15.
and broughtest forth water for them out of the rock] Exodus 17:6. Numbers 20:9, &c.
which thou hadst sworn to give them] Heb. which thou hadst lift up thy hand to give them.
Nehemiah 9:16
But they and our fathers] Or, Yet they, even our fathers, Psal. 106. 6, 7. Daniel 9:8.
and hrdned their necks] 2 Kings 17:14. 2 Chronicles 36:13.
Nehemiah 9:17
appointed a captain] Numbers 14:4.
a God ready to pardon] Heb. a God of pardons.
Nehemiah 9:18
when they had made them a molten calf] Exodus 32:4.
Nehemiah 9:19
the pillar of the cloud departed not] Exodus 13:22. Numbers 14:14. 1 Corinthians 10:1.
Nehemiah 9:20
thy good spirit] Numbers 11:17.
and withheldest not thy manna] Exodus 16:15. Joshua 5:12.
and gavest them water] Exodus 17:6.
Nehemiah 9:21
their clothes waxed not old] Deuteronomy 8:4.
and their feet swelled not] Though the way were tedious and long.
Nehemiah 9:22
and didst divide them] Either the Israeli as in the land of Canaan; or, such of their enemies as were not killed.
into corners] Heb. into a corner.
the land of Sihon] Numbers 21:21, &c.
and] Or, even.
Nehemiah 9:23
concerning which thou hadst promised] See Notes on v. 13.
Nehemiah 9:24
as they would] Heb. according to their will.
Nehemiah 9:25
wells] Or, cisterns.
fruit-trees] Heb. trees of food.
Nehemiah 9:26
and cast thy law behinde their backs] As we use to do with things we contemn or scorn, Ezekiel 23:35. Psalms 50:17.
and slew thy prophets] 1 Kings 19:10.
which testified against them] Taking heaven and earth to witnesse, that God would destroy them, except they returned, Isaiah 1:2. 2 Chronicles 24:19.
Nehemiah 9:27
saviours] Judg. 2. 18. and 3. 9. Obad. v. 21.
Nehemiah 9:28
But after they had rest] They declare how Gods mercies ever contended with the wickednesse of this people, who, ever in their prosperity, forgat God, Deuteronomy 32:15.
they did evil again] Heb. they returned to do evil.
Nehemiah 9:29
withdrew the shoulder] Heb. they gave a withdrawing shoulder. Which is a similitude taken from oxen that shrink at the yoke. Zechariah 7:11. See v. 16.
and would not hear] When thou didst admonish them by the prophets.
Nehemiah 9:30
Yet many yeers] As long as the kingdoms of Israel and Judah lasted.
forbear them] Heb. protract over them.
and testifiedst against them] 2 Kings 17:13. 2 Chronicles 36:15.
in thy prophets] Heb. in the hand of thy prophets.
Nehemiah 9:32
the mighty, and the terrible God] Exod. 34. 6, 7.
let not all the trouble seem little before thee] They desire that God would lay no more or greater troubles on them then he had done already.
trouble] Heb. wearinesse.
that hath come upon us] Heb. that hath found us. God sends plagues to seek sinners.
of the kings of Assyria] Either they mean, since the captivity of their brethren by the king of Assyria, 2 King. 17. or their down-fall by Nebuchad-nezzar; for the king of Babylon is called king of Assyria, 2 Chronicles 33:11.
Nehemiah 9:33
For thou hast done right] They confesse that all these things came to them justly for their sins; but they appeal from Gods justice to his mercies, Daniel 9:7. 14. Psalms 119:137.
Nehemiah 9:34
our kings] Daniel 9:8.
thou didst testifie against them] That thou wouldest destroy them, except they would return to thee, as v. 26.
Nehemiah 9:36
Behold, we are servants this day] They lay open their present servitude before God, to move him to pity, in that they were now servants in that land, wherein they had lived in all freedom and plenty before, Deuteronomy 28:47.
to eat the fruit thereof] That is, to be the lords thereof, Deuteronomy 28:33; Deuteronomy 28:51.
Nehemiah 9:38
asure covenant] Thus in affliction they promise to keep Gods commandments, whereunto they could not be brought by Gods great benefits.
seal] Heb. are at the sealing, or sealed.