Nehemiah 13

At the reading of the law of God before the people, all mixture with strange nations is separated from Israel, vers.1. &c. Whilest Nehemia was gone back to the king, divers gross abuses were crept into church of God, of which he purgeth the same at his return, purifying the chambers in the house of God, which Eljasib had polluted, 4. Restoring the Priests and Levites to their office and maintenance, over which he appointeth Treasurers, 10,30. Putting down all profanation of the Sabbath, 15. As also all marriages, made with heathenish nations, 23.

1. On that day there was read in the book of Moseh, before the ears of the people: [Some conceive this to have been done, after that Nehemia was come back the second time from king Artaxerxes to Jerusalem. See verse 4. And 6.] And therein was found written, that the Ammonites, and the Moabites, [Hebr. Ammonite, and Moabite] should not come into the congregation of God forever: [see Deu.23.on v.1.]

2. Because they had not met the children of Israel with bread, and with water; [That is, with meat and drink] yea had hired Bileam against him, [meaning Israel; that is, the people of Israel] to curse him: Howbeit, our God turned the curse into a blessing.

3. SO it came to pass, when they heard this law, that they separated from Israel all mixture. [That is, all those that were of strange Idolatrous heathenish nations, and not of Israel. Compare above chap.9.2.]

4. Now Eljasib the Priest, who was set over the chamber, [That is, chambers. See below v.9. and Ezra 8:29.] of the house of our God, was heretofore nigh of kin to Tobia: [that is, was allied unto him, or had joined affinity with him, although he was bitter Enemy to the people of God. See above chap.6.verse 1,14,17,19. And compare below v.28.]

5. And he had made for him [To wit, for Tobia] a great chamber, [breaking down the walls of certain chambers, he had made of them a great large chamberfor Tobia, to put his household stuff in. See verse 8.] where a foretime they laid the meat-offering, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of corn, of new wine, and of oil, which were commanded for the Levites, and the Singers, and the Porters; [Hebr. the command, or, commandment of the Levites, etc. That is, concerning which God had commanded that they should be given to the Levites, etc. Or, the commanded, or, ordained (portion) of the Levites, etc. See Numb.18.24.] together with the heave-offerings of the Priests. [that is, that which they were to give unto the Priests, to wit, the tithes of the tithes of the Levites, etc. See Numb.18.8,26.]

6. But in all this (time) was not I at Jerusalem: [Intimating that in a short space of time, while he was absent, all fell to decay again] for in the two and thirtieth year [when I had been twelve years at Jerusalem with the Kings leave or consent] of Arthasasta [see Ezra 6.on verse 14] king of Babel, [which was now under the Persian Monarchy] came I unto the king; but at the end of (certain) days [that is, after a while, or (as others) after full year was expired, which is sometimes understood by days] obtained I leave (again) of the king. [or, leave was obtained for me. The Hebrew word doth properly signify: I was required, summoned, or, set for. It may be that Nehemiah fearing himself to ask leave again, caused the same to be asked or craved by others, and that thereupon the King sent for him, and gave him leave. Yea without doubt some godly Jews did certify Nehemia of the decayed state and condition of Gods people, and earnestly required his coming unto them, etc.]

7. And I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil that Eljasib had done for Tobia, making a chamber for him in the Courts of the house of God. [as above chap.8.16.]

8. And it displeased me sore: [Hebr. it was very evil unto me; that is, (as the scripture elsewhere speaketh) it was very evil in mine eyes; that is, it vexed, or grieved me sore] So I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobia out of the chamber. [Hebr. all the vessels, or, all the furniture of the house of Tobia.]

9. Moreover, I gave command, [Hebr. I said. See 2 Chron.29.24,27. Job 9:7. Esth.9.25. and compare Genes.1.3. Jona 2.11. with the annotate.] and they cleansed the chambers: [or, I said that they should cleanse the chambers. So below verse 19.] And I brought in thither again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat-offering and the frankincense.

10. Also I perceived that the portion of the Levites had not been given (them): [That is, the maintenance, which they were bound to give and allow them according to the law of God: And whereunto the people had engaged themselves by solemn oath, above chap.10.37.] So that the Levites and the Singers that did the work, [to wit, of the Lord; that is, the usual service of God] were fled every one to his field.

11. And I contended with the Rulers, [That is, I reproved them, chid them sharply. So vers.17.25.] and said; why is the house of God forsake? Howbeit, I gathered them together, [to wit, from the places whither they were fled and scattered] and restored them to their station. [to observe again, or wait upon the worship of God, as they had done formerly.]

12. Then all Juda brought the tithes of corn, and of new wine, and of oil, into the Treasures. [That is, Treasures, Store-houses. See above on verse 5.]

13. And I appointed Treasurers over the Treasures, [As above chap.12.44. and 1 Chron.26.20. etc. 2 Chron.31.12, etc.] Selemja the Priest, and Zadok the Scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaja: And at their hand [that is, for their service or help] Hanan the son of Zacchur, the son of Matthanja: For they were counted faithful, [compare above chap.7.2.] and it was imposed upon them [Hebr. (it was) upon them: That is, it was their duty their office, their charge] to distribute unto their brethren.

14. Remember me, [compare Genes.8.on vers 1. Heb.6.10. and below verse 22.31. and see above chapter 5. On vers.19.] my God, in this: [or, concerning this] And blot not out my good deeds, [as 2 Chron.32.on vers.32. and 35.on vers.26.] that I have done for the house of my God, and for the watches thereof. [taking care that the service of God in the Temple might be well observed and performed by every one, according to his office and place. See Num.13.on verse 7.]

15. In those days saw I in the Juda, those that trod presses [To wit, wine-presses and oil-presses] on the Sabbath, and those that brought in sheaves, which they laded on asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all (or every) burden, [That is, all manner of burdens] which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day: And I testified against them [as below verse 21.] in the day wherein they sold victuals. [professing before the Lord, that I would suffer it no longer.]

16. There dwelt also Tyrians [That were born in the famous city of Tyre. See Jodh.19.on vers.29.] therein [to wit, in Jerusalem] who brought in fish, and all [that is, all manner of] provision and merchandise, which they sold on the Sabbath unto the children of Juda and at Jerusalem.

17. Then I contended with the Nobles [Hebr. whiteones. See above cha.2.on verse 16.] of Juda, and said utno them; what evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the Sabbath-day?

18. Did not your Fathers thus, and our God brought all this evil [All these plagues and punishments] upon us, and upon this city? And ye make the fierce wrath [to wit, of the Lord] yet more [Hebr. add fierce wrath] upon Israel, profaning the Sabbath.

19. Now it came to pas, when the gates of Jerusalem gave shadow, [Or, were over shadowed: That is, towards evening, when the sun began to set] before the Sabbath, that I gave command, [Hebr. said, as above verse 9.] and the doors were shut; and I charged that they should not open them till after the Sabbath: And I set (some) of my youths at the gates, (That there) should no burden come in on the Sabbath day.

20. Then the Merchants, and sellers of all [That is, all kind of] saleware, overnighted without Jerusalem once or twice.

21. So I testified against them, and said unto them, why overnight ye over against the wall? If ye do so again, I will lay hand on you: From that time forth came they no (more) on the Sabbath.

22. Moreover, I said unto the Levites, that they should cleanse themselves, and come and keep the gates, [Meaning of the Temple, observing all that was requisite for the sanctifying of the Sabbath, without doing any thing else on the Sabbath, and in particular, looking and taking care that no unclean persons might come into the Temple. See Numb.3.7. and 2 Chron.23.19.] to sanctify the Sabbath day: Remember me also (in) this, my God, and spare me, according to the multitude [or greatness] of thy goodness. [or, loving kindness.]

23. I saw also in those days Jews, that had caused Asdoditish, Ammonitish, and Moabitish wives [That is, heathenish wives of all kind of strange nations. Asdod was a city and country of the Philistines. See 1 Sam.5.1,2, etc.] to dwell (with them). [that is, had married those strange wives, (See Ezra 10.on vers.2.) not with standing the reformation lately made by Ezra, Ezra chapters 9. And 10. And their own vow and promise sealed and confirmed with an oath, above chap.10.30. So verse 27.]

24. And their children psake half in the Asdoditish speech, [Oth. half of their children, or, a part, etc.] and they could not speak in the Jews language: [Hebr. they discerned not, or, distinguished not, etc.] but according to the Language of each people. [Hebr. of people and people; that is, of the one and the other people, every one as he had learnt of his mother, having thus a bastardly mungrell language, with a bastardly mungrell Religion.]

25. Then I contended with them, and cursed them, [Out of zeal unto justice, declaring, that as perjured covenant-breakers, they had brought a curse upon themselves, and had deserved to be banned, or cut off from the people of God] and smote (some) men of them, and plucked off (their) hair: [for an open punishment and disgrace. Compare Deu.25.2. and 2 Sam.10.14.] and Imade them swear by God; if ye shall give your daughters unto their sons, and if ye shall take of their daughters for your sons, or your selves! [an abrupt kind of speech, which was frequently used in oaths or swearing, wherein must be understood, then thou shalt be cursed, or, then let God punish thee. See Gen.14.on vers.23. This oath which he pronounceth before them, they were to take the same upon themselves, that being by this means stirred up, they might not hereafter fall into the same abomination again.]

26. Did not Salomon king of Israel sin therein? [See 1 Kings 11:4.] Howbeit, among many heathens there was no king like him, [See 1 Kings 3:13. 2 Chr.1.12.] and he was beloved of his God, and God had made him king over all Israel: also him did strange women cause to sin.

27. Should we then hearken unto you, that ye should do all this great evil, transgressing against God, causing strange wives to dwell (with you)? [See on verse 23. That is, should we then suffer you to commit the like who are much more subject to be seduced, then that great and wise king Solomon was, who was beloved of God?]

28. Also (one) of the children of Jojada the son of Eliasib, the high Priest, was son in law to Sanballat the Horonite: [Of Saneballat see above chap.2.on verse 10. And 4.1. and 6.1. &c. Josephus written, that this Jew that was Sanballats son in law, was Manasses, the brother of the high Priest Jaddua, or Jaddus, of whom see above chap.12. on verse 11.] Therefore I chased him away from me.

29. Remember them, my God, [As above chap.6.14.] because they have defiled the priesthood, [committing such vile abominations as are mentioned above] yea the covenant of the Priesthood, and of the Levites. [Meaning the special and stricters covenant which God had made with Aaron, and his seed, together with the Levites concerning their holy functions.]

30. Thus cleansed I them from all strangers: [Hebr. all (or every) stranger: in the singular number. [Understand the heathenish wives, children, with the adhering pollution of heathenism] and I appointed the wards of the Priests and of the Levites, [See ab.verse 14.] every one in his businesses.

31. Also for the wood-offering [See ab.chap.10.34.] at times appointed, and for the first-fruits: Remember me, my God for good. [Compare ab.chap.5.on vers.19. and in this chapter verse 14. And 22.]