Nehemiah 10

The names of those that sealed to this covenant made with God, both for themselves and the whole Congregation, verse 1. Etc. A relation of the general substance or matter of this covenant, confirmed by an oath and with a curse, and of some particular articles therein contained, 29.

1. Now for the sealings [Hebr. for the thing sealed, or, sealings; Meaning, those that ratified and confirmed the covenant (whereof was spoken in the end of the former chapter) with their seals, in the name, and in the behalf of all the Congregation] were, Nehemia Hattirsatha, [See Ezra 2.on verse 63.] son of Hathalja, and Zidkia.

2. Seraija, Azaria, Jeremia, [Compare this Register with that which followeth below, Chapter 12. 1, &c.]

3. Pashur, Amarja, Malchia,

4. Hattus, Sebanja, Malluch,

5. Harim, Meremoth, Obadja,

6. Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch,

7. Mesullam, Abja, Mijamin,

8. Maazia, Bilga, Seneja; those were the Priests. [Nehemia (mentioned above vers.1.) not being comprehended among them, who was not (according to the opinion of some) of the tribe of Levi.]

9. And the Levites; namely, Jesua the son of Azanja, Binnai, of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel.

10. and their brethren; Sebanja, Hodia, Kelita, Pelaja, Hanan.

11. Micha, Rehib, Hasubja,

12. Zacchur, Serebja, Sebaaja,

13. Hodia, Bani, Beninu,

14. The heads of the people: [Compare above chap.7.8, &c. Ezra 2:3, &c. And 8.3, &c.] Parhos, Pahath-Moab, Elam, Zatthu, Bani,

15. Bunni, Azgad, Bebai,

16. Adonia, Bigvai, Adin,

17. Ater, Hiskia, Azzum,

18. Hodia, Hasum, Bezai,

19. Harish, Anathoth, Nebai,

20. Magpias, Mesullam, Hezir,

21. Mesezabeel, Zadok, Jaddua,

22. Pelatja, Hanan, Anaja,

23. Hosea, Hananja, Hassub,

24. Hallehes, Pilhas, Sobek,

25. Rehum, Hasabna, Maaseja,

26. And Abia, Hanan, Anan,

27. Malluch, Harim, Baana,

28. And the rest of the people, [Compare 2 Chron.23.on verse 5. And Ezra 2. On vers.70.] the Priests, the Levites, the Porters, the Singers, the Nethinims [See Ezra 2.on verse 43.] and who so ever had separated himself from the nations of the lands [as above chap.9.2.] unto the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, all those that had knowledge (and) understanding;

29. They clave to their brethren, their excellent (ones) [Or, honourable, great (ones) who were appointed to seal this covenant in the name of the whole Congregation. See Psal.8.on verse 2.] and entered into the curse, and into the oath, [That is, they likewise entered into this covenant, which was confirmed with an oath, and cursing of their persons, if they should chance to transgress this covenant. See Deut.29.12,14,19. And compare Jos.24.25. 2 Kings 23:3. 2 Chron.15.12.] to walk in the law of God which was given by the hand of Moseh the servant of God; and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and his judgements, and his statutes:

30. And that we would not give our daughters unto the nations of the land, [To wit, give them in marriage unto the heathen] nor take their daughters for our sons.

31. Also when the nations of the land bring wares, and all corn [That is, all manner of corn, as Rie, Wheat, Barley. See Gen.24.on verse 1.] on the Sabbath day, to sell, that we would not take it of them on the Sabbath, or on (another) holy day; [See Exod.20.10. and 34.21. Levit.23.2, &c. Deut.5.12,13,17, &c.] And that we would release the seventh year [the same being a year of release, wherein God had commanded to omit the tilling of the ground, and the exacting of debts. See Exod.23.10,11. Levit.25.4. Deut.15.1,2, etc.] together with all manner of grievances [Hebr. the burden, or grievance of all (or every) hand: that is, all manner of debt, which we otherwise had power to demand, require, or exact; or the requiring, demanding of all (or every) debt. See Deut.15.on verse 2. And ab. Ch.5,7,10.]

32. Moreover, we set up commandments [Or ordinances, which are related in the following words] for our selves, imposing upon our selves a third part of a shekel [understand here the shekel of the sanctuary, being as much again as the common or civil shekel, to, to wit, about a half Rycks Doller] yearly, for the service of the house of our God; [this was a voluntary contribution towards the maintaining the worship of God, set up for the present necessity. Compare 2 Chr.26.26,27. & 2 Chr.31.3. Of the ordinary tax that was enjoined, see Ex.30.12.]

33. For the bread of disposition [That is, shew-bread. See Levit.24.6, &c. 2 Chron.2.4. and 29.18.] and the continual meat-offering, [See Exod.29 40. Num.28.5.] and for the continual burnt-offering, of the Sabbaths, of the new-moons, [See Numb.28 and 29.] for the set feasts, and for the holy things, [which were to be consecrated for thank-offerings for the people] and for the sin offerings, to make an atonement for Israel; and for all the work of the house of our God.

34. Also we cast the lots among the Priests, the Levites, and the People, concerning the wood-offering, to bring it unto the house of our God, after the house of our fathers, [That is, according to the families and households, to know how much wood every one was to bring in toward the burning of the sacrifices] at times appointed, year by year, to burn upon the altar of the LORD our God, as it is written in the Law.

35. Also that we should bring in the first-fruits of our land, [That is, the fruits of the ground, as Rie, Wheat, Barley, &c.] and the first-fruits of all fruit of all [That is, all manner of] trees, year by year, unto the house of the LORD.

36. And the first-born of our sons, and of our beasts, [Meaning a certain price or sum money wherewith they were to redeem the first-born sons, and the unclean cattle, as horses, asses, camels, &c. See Exod.13.13. Lev.27. verse 11,12,13,26,27.] as it is written in the Law; [See Exod.13.2. Num.3.13. and 8.17.] and that we should bring the first-born of our bullocks, and of our sheep, [That is, of great and small cattle] unto the house of our God, unto the Priests that minister in the house of our God.

37. And that we should bring the first-fruits of our dough, and our heave-offerings, [Or, heavings. See Lev.23.17. Num.15.19.] and the fruit of all trees, new wine and oil, [See Num.18.12. Deut.18.4.] unto the Priests into the chambers of the house of our God, and the tenths of our land unto the Levites? [See Num.18.24,25.] and that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage, [Oth. that the same Levites might give the tithes, etc. To wit unto the high Priests, whereof in the following verse Heb. the tithing. See Gen.28.22. Deut.14.22. and 26.12.]

38. and that there shall be a Priest a son of Aaron,with the Levites, when the Levites receive [Or, give,: as in the former verse] tithes; and that the Levites should bring up the tithes unto the house of our God, into the chambers of the treasure-house. [See Numb.18.26.]

39. For the children of Israel, and the children of Levi ought to bring the heave-offering of corn, new wine, and oil into those chambers, because the vessels of the Sanctuary are there, and the Priests that minister, [Or, where also the vessels, etc.] and the Porters, and the Singers; that so we might not forsake the House of our God.