Nehemiah 1

Nehemia (the kings cup-bearer, vers.11.) receiveth tidings at Susan of the sad condition of his people, as likewise of the walls and gates of Jerusalem, vers.1, & c. Mourneth exceedingly, fasteth, prayeth, and beseecheth God for Mercy and Favour, and especially, that he would bless his design, and prosper his request, which he intended to put up to the king.

1. The acts [Or, words] of Nehemia, the son of Hachalja. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, [see Ezra 10 on vers.9. According to the holy or Ecclesiatical year, it was the nineth: But after the account of the Chaldeans, who began the year in September, it was the third month] in the twentieth year, [of king Arthahsasta, as below chap.2.1. See there] when I was in the palace at Sisan: [the metropolis or chief city of Susiane, built (as some do write) by Darius Hystaspis.]

2. Then Hanani one of my brethren [That is, kinsmen, or countrymen, Jews] came, he and (certain) men of Juda; And I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, [Heb. The escaping] (which were left of the captivity) and concerning Jerusalem.

3. And they said unto me: the remnant that are left of the captivity there in the country [Or, province; the land of Canaan is so called, because it was now under the subjection of the Persian Monarchy] are in great misery, [Hebr. In great evil: that is, misery and affliction] and in reproach: And the wall of Jerusalem is torn, and gates thereof are burnt with fire.

4. And it came to pass when I heard these words, then I sat down and wept, and mourned (certain) days: And O fasted and prayed before the face of the God of heaven.

5. And I said, O LORD God of heaven, thou great and terrible God: [Compare Dan.9.4.] that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him, and keep his commandments. [compare Exod.20.6. and 34.7. Numb.14.18. Deut.5.10. Psal.86.15. and 103.8. and 145.8.]

6. Let, I beseech, thine ear be attentive: [That is, hear I pray; spoken of God after the manner of men] and thine eyes open, [see 1 Kings 8.on vers.29.] to hearken unto the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thy face this day, [that is, now, at this time] day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants: and I make confession of the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee; also I and my Fathers house, we have sinned.

7. We have exceedingly corrupted (it) against thee: [Hebr. We have with corruption, or, corrupting corrupted: that is, we have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have made our selves every way guilty by our sins] neither have we kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgements, [see of these three words, Deut.5. on vers.31.] which thou commandest thy servant Moseh.

8. Remember, I pray, the word, which thou commandedst thy servant Moseh, saying; Ye shall transgress, and I shall scatter you among the nations.

9. And ye shall return unto me, and keep my commandments and do them; though thy expelled ones were at the end of Heaven, I will gather them from thence, [see Deut.30.2,3,4. With the Annotations] and well bring them unto the place that I have chosen, to cause my Name to dwell there.

10. Yet they are thy servants, and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand.

11. O LORD I beseech thee, let thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, that delight to fear thy Name, and cause, I beseech thee, thy servant to speed well this day, and grant him mercy before the face of this man: [Namely, king Arthahsasta, as the following words, and the beginning of the next chapter do shew. Hebr. Give him unto mercies, or, compassions: that is, work now in the heart of the King, that he may pity and commiserate me and my people, and gracious yield unto my request. See Jerem.42.on vers.12.] now I was the Kings Cup-bearer.