Nehemiah 13

Nehemiah 13:1

On that day] Doubtful it is to what particular time this relates. Yet most likely, to that Interim of time which passed in the absence of Nehemiah, between the end of the first, and beginning of his second Government.

written] Deut. XXIII. 3. See the Observations on that text.

Nehemiah 13:2

they met not] As Melchizedek did, Gen. XIV. 17.

Nehemiah 13:3

separated] See that Ezra chap. IX. and X. and Neh. IX. 2. and ch. X. 30. and chap. XIII. 23,—30. So difficult was this point of the Reformation; and so ready they to relapse into this sinne.

Nehemiah 13:5

a great chamber] Pulling down the Partitions, to make two or three into one.

Nehemiah 13:8

I cast forth] And so ver. 9. brought I again. By my command and authority, not in my person.

Nehemiah 13:10

had not been given] This, and other matters imply the Interim of Nehemiah’s absence to have been more then a year.

Nehemiah 13:15

Sabbath] See the Annotations on Jer. XVII. 21, 22, 24, 27.

Nehemiah 13:19

dark] The sooner, because of the hills about Jerusalem: and the Sabbath was to be kept from Even to Even.

some of my servants] That the Merchants might not thrust in amongst those that came to the Service in the Temple.

Nehemiah 13:22

the Gates] The Gates of the Temple; by keeping out persons legaly unclean from the house and ordinances of God.

Nehemiah 13:25

swear] And so they had sworn before, chap. X. 29, 30.

Nehemiah 13:28

sons of Jojada] His grandchilde, called Menasche, and brother of Jaddua the High Priest, as Josephus writeth, Antiq. lib. 11. c. 7.

I chased him from me] This argues this Nehemiah not to be that man mentioned, Ezra II. 2. that came up with Zerubbabel: and yet to live to a very great age, whether he were the Penman of this Book; or else this clause inserted by some other Prophet. See the Observations on the beginning of this Book.

Nehemiah 13:31

Remember me] So likewise, ver. 14. and 22. and chap. V. 19. He pleads not here any merit of his own, but all he pleads is for Gods mercie sake; all goodnesse in him still proceeding from Gods meere grace. He doth chear up himself in this, in the sincerity and integrity of his heart, and the effects thereof, as fruits and sound proofs of the truth of Gods graces in him, whereupon he further with comfort expects more meere mercie to come from the Lord.