Il Or, Ami.

d Ezra 2. 59.

|| Or, pedigree.

|| Or, the governor.

536.

58 The children of Jaala, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,

59 The children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth of Zebaim, the children of || Amon.

60 All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants, were three hundred ninety and two.

61 And these were they which went up also from Tel-melah, Telharesha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer: but they could not shew their father's house, nor their || seed, whether they were of Israel.

62 The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred forty and two.

63 ¶ And of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai, which took one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite to wife, and was called after their name.

64 These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.

65 And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up

with their substance.

68 Their horses, seven hundred thirty and six: their mules, two hundred forty and five:

69 Their camels, four hundred thirty and five: six thousand seven hundred and twenty asses.

Before CHRIST 536.

70 And some of the chief of + Heb. part. the fathers gave unto the work. The Tirshatha gave to the treasure a thousand drams of gold, fifty basons, five hundred and thirty priests' gar

ments.

71 And some of the chief of the fathers gave to the treasure of the work twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand and two hundred pound of silver.

72 And that which the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand pound of silver, and threescore and seven priests' garments.

73 So the priests, and the Levites, and the porters, and the singers, and some of the people, and the Nethinims, and all Israel, dwelt in their cities; and when the seventh month came, the children of Israel were in their cities.

66 The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,

67 Beside their manservants and their maidservants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and they had two hundred forty and five singingmen and singingwomen.

65.- till there stood up a priest with Urim and Thummim.] From this passage the Jews conclude, that such a priest will hereafter stand up, and restore and complete the genealogies of their families; though others understand these words to import, that they should never exercise the priesthood any more; and that the expression, "till there shall stand up a priest with Urim and Thummim," amounts to the same as "never," since the Urim and Thummim were now absolutely and for ever lost. Dr. Jennings.

70.-The Tirshatha gave to the treasure &c.] We have a beautiful example of piety and liberality in the voluntary contribution of Nehemiah, of some of the chief men, and of several private persons, towards the temple of the Divine worship; and this example is the more instructive, as the Jews, generally speaking, were then in

themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; a and they spake unto a Ezra 3. 1. Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel.

& 7.6.

Before CHRIST

the light.

3 And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate + Heb. from from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.

of wood.

4 And Ezra the scribe stood upon +Heb. tower a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam.

5 And Ezra opened the book in + Heb. eyes. the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people ;) and when he opened it, all the people stood 6 And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting

up:

10, 11, &c. where God requires the law to be publickly read every seventh year at the feast of tabernacles, which was appointed to be kept in this month. This, no doubt, Ezra was ready to perform; but such was the forward zeal of the people at this time, that they anticipated him by their pious entreaties. This took place on the first day of the seventh month, which was not indeed the time of the feast of tabernacles; but this whole month was in a manner devoted to holy exercises. Bp. Patrick.

2. upon the first day of the seventh month.] The seventh month of the ecclesiastical year, which was the first month of the civil year used by the Hebrews. The ecclesiastical year began in the month Nisan, answering to the time of the vernal equinox; and the seventh month of this, which was the first of the civil year, took place about the time of the autumnal equinox. The first day therefore of this seventh month was, in a manner, their new year's day, and was celebrated by a festival proclaimed by the sound of trumpets, and thence called the feast of trumpets, Levit. xxv. 9. It was when the people were assembled for this festival that the events now related took place. Dean Prideaux.

6. And Ezra blessed the Lord,] Ezra first began with offering up praises to God for the blessing of his revealed word, and for all his mercies to the Israelite nation, in which the whole assembly joined with strong expressions of devotion and reverence. Pyle.

7. caused the people to understand the law:] The most probable meaning is, they translated or interpreted it out of the old Hebrew, in which it was first written, into the Chaldee, which was now the vulgar language of the people. Pyle.

9.-For all the people wept, &c.] The people bewailed the ignorance in which they had lived, and the many violations of the law of which they had been guilty; just as Josiah did when he heard the words of the law read out of a book which he found unexpectedly, 2 Kings xxii. Bp. Patrick.

The tears which the Jews shed, and their being sen

reading and hearing the law.

Before CHRIST

VIII. up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with about 445. their faces to the ground.

7 Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.

8 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.

9 And Nehemiah, which is || the | Or, the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the governor. scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.

10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for

sibly affected at the hearing of the law, shew the effect which the word of God produces on well-disposed minds. Ostervald.

It is impossible for any person to read this remarkable passage concerning the bringing out of the book of the law, and reading it in the ears of all the people, without being greatly moved and affected by it; as it shews us the religious affection and regard which the Jews had for the Holy Scriptures. The devout manner of reading it, and the religious attention and becoming reverence with which it was heard, are excellently described in the following words: "And Ezra the scribe," &c. ver. 4, 5, &c. But the most moving circumstance of all is that which follows, that "all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law." Happy were it for us, if we could persuade the generality of Christians to have the same pious regard for the book of God; that they would be often mindful to take it up, and read therein with all devout attention, and lay up the words thereof in their hearts and in their souls! And may we not only lay up the word of God in our memories, but labour to bring forth the happy fruits thereof in our lives and conversation; that so that sacred Book, which was given to make us wise unto salvation, may never rise up against and condemn us at the last day; when "the books shall be opened, and the dead, both small and great, shall be judged out of those things, which are written in the books, according to their works." Rev. xx. 12. Peters.

us,

10. Then he said unto them, Go your way, &c.] It appears, ver. 3, that the holy scribe with his assistants continued from morning till midday to read and explain to the people the law of God in such a manner, as might best make them know and understand it; but at midday they dismissed them to eat and drink and rejoice before the Lord during the remainder of the day, because, being a festival, it was consecrated to be thus kept holy to Him. Dean Prideaux. He desires them to "eat the fat and drink the sweet;" that is, to make a feast, and provide as good cheer as they were able, ac

The people are comforted.

Before CHRIST

this day is holy unto our Lord: about 445. neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

11 So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved.

12 And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.

13¶ And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to understand the words of they might instruct in the the law.

Or, that

words of the law.

Before CHRIST

mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle branches, about 445. and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written.

16 ¶ So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the street of the water gate, and in the street of the gate of Ephraim.

17 And all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths, and sat under the booths: for since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel And there was very great

hand of.

Deut. 16. 13.

15 And that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto the

cording to their manner on festival days, and to "send portions, &c." that is, as became religious people, to give of their abundance to feast their poorer brethren, that they also might rejoice. Bp. Patrick.

14. And they found written in the law &c.] Ezra and his associates proceeding further to read and explain to the people the law of God, came to the twenty-third chapter of Leviticus, in which is written the law of the feast of tabernacles; and having explained to them from thence the obligation under which they were to observe this festival, and shewn that the fifteenth day of the month was the day appointed for the beginning of it, an eager desire was excited in all the people to fulfil the law of God in this particular. Dean Prideaux.

15.-fetch olive branches, &c.] Josephus calls the feast of tabernacles "the most holy of all." In Lev. xxiii. 40, are mentioned "boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook." We see by comparing these passages, that, though the general purport of them is the same, yet the particulars differ. Nehemiah was more attentive to the spirit and meaning of the precept, than to its strict verbal construction. Script. illust. Expos. Ind.

branches of thick trees,] These words seem to include all handsome-looking trees, capable of forming a cool recess, or of casting a salutary and grateful shade. Script. illust. Expos. Ind.

16.-made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house, &c.] Dr. Russell, speaking of the religious ceremonies of the Jews at Aleppo, gives a description of the feast of tabernacles, which illustrates the narrative in the text. "The tabernacles are variously constructed, and disposed in different situations, according to the size and other circumstances of the house. They are placed sometimes upon the small terraces in front of the upper rooms; most commonly in the court yards; and, | where several families live in the same house, after every other place is occupied below, they erect the tabernacles on the flat tops of the houses: for each family, however

18 Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was † a solemn assembly, + Heb. a according unto the manner.

restraint.

poor, must have its own tabernacle. The ordinary method of building them is, by fastening to the corners of a wooden divan four slender erect posts, which serve to support on all sides a reticulated work of green reeds, a space only in front being left for the entrance. This on the outside is covered with fresh myrtle, and is hung on the inside with chintz hangings; the roof is thatched with reeds not stripped of their leaves, and their best cushions and carpets are employed to dress the divan.... In some of the principal houses a permanent wooden kiosk, built upon a stone mustaby or platform in the middle of the court, is made to serve the purpose, which, being already latticed, is easily covered with reeds and myrtle branches. The divan and hangings are here richer.... This festival in the eyes of strangers appears more splendid than any of the others kept by the Jews. They entertain hospitably at their houses; send presents of various sorts of sweetmeats to their friends; and all business is suspended." Dr. Russell.

17.-for since the days of Jeshua &c.] It can hardly be thought that the feast of tabernacles had never been observed since the time of Joshua, because, in fact, we read in the book of Ezra that it was kept at the return of the Jews from Babylon; but the meaning is, that the joy with which it was celebrated had never since that time been so great as upon this occasion: for which the Jews assign this reason, that, in the days of Joshua, they rejoiced because they had got possession of the land of Canaan, and now they equally rejoiced, because they were restored and quietly settled in it, after they had been so long cast out. Bp. Patrick. We should remark, that the long captivity of the Jews, and the afflictions which attended it, did more towards effecting their reformation, than all which their Prophets and priests could do for a long series of years. Bp. Wilson.

18. Also day by day, &c.] Although the law did not expressly appoint that the book of the law should be openly read on every day of this festival. Deut. xxxi.

A solemn general fast

Before CHRIST

445.

a Chap. 8. 2.

+ Heb. strange children.

| Or. scaffold.

CHAP. IX.

1 A solemn fast, and repentance of the people. 4 The Levites make a religious confession of God's goodness, and their wickedness.

NOW in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes, and earth upon them.

2 And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers.

3 And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the LORD their God.

4¶Then stood up upon the stairs, of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice unto the LORD their God.

5 Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, Stand up and bless the LORD your God for ever and ever:

10-12, yet now their zeal was so warm, that they did it every day during the whole week's celebration. Pyle.

Chap. IX. ver. 1. Now in the twenty and fourth day &c.] As the people, on perceiving in how many things they had transgressed the commands of God, expressed great trouble and grief of heart, chap. viii. 9. 12, Nehemiah and Ezra, finding them in so good a temper, applied themselves to make the best improvement of it they could, for the honour of God, and the interest of religion. Accordingly, they proclaimed a fast to be held the next day but one after the close of the festival, that is, on the 24th of the month, to which, having called all the people, while the sense of these things was fresh and warm in their minds, they excited them to make a publick and solemn confession before God of all their sins, and also to enter into a solemn vow and covenant to avoid them for the future, and to hold themselves to a strict observance of all the Divine laws. Dean Prideaux.

2. And the seed of Israel separated themselves &c.] Those who had been guilty of taking strange women to be their wives, and who in some instances seem to have taken them back, although they had been forced by Ezra to put them away, now in token of their true repentance "separated themselves" from them, that is, stood or remained at a distance from them, to shew that they renounced them. Bp. Patrick.

5. Then the Levites, &c.] After the Levites before mentioned had cried to God for mercy, the people, as is probable, suing for it on their knees, another company of Levites commanded them to stand up and praise the Lord and give thanks. Bp. Patrick.

VOL. I.

and humiliation.

CHRIST 445.

and blessed be thy glorious name, Before which is exalted above all blessing and praise.

6 Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; b thou hast made heaven, the heaven b Gen. 1. 1.

of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.

& 12. 1. & 17.

7 Thou art the LORD the God, who didst choose c Abram, and e Gen. 11. 31. broughtest him forth out of Ur of s the Chaldees, and gavest him the name of Abraham;

6. Thou, even thou, art Lord alone;] The whole succeeding part of this chapter contains a beautiful epitome of the history of the Jews, raised and animated by a spirit of devotion, which appears in all that moving eloquence so well suited to the occasion, and, at the same time, with all that chasteness and correctness of thought and expression which so eminently distinguishes the sacred writings of this sort. Peters.

The prayer which here follows is one of the finest in all the Scriptures. What is chiefly to be observed in this prayer is as follows: The Jews adore the power and majesty of the most high God; solemnly acknowledge the mercies their nation had received from Him in Egypt, in the wilderness, and in the land of Canaan, and his forbearance and long-suffering towards them; they confess their sins and rebellions, and their abuse of his favours; they own too that God had justly chastised them, by sending them into captivity, and subjecting them to strange princes. Lastly, they enter into a solemn engagement never more to return to their old sins, but to keep inviolably the covenant which they then renewed with the Lord. We should make a useful application to ourselves of all the parts of this excellent prayer; we should frequently read it, and learn from it to praise and adore God, to acknowledge the favours He bestows upon us all in general, and upon every one in particular: they especially whose circumstances somewhat resemble those of the Jews at that time, and who have been made to pass through divers trials and afflictions, ought from hence to learn to confess their sins and ingratitude, to celebrate his forbearance, to be more faithful to Him for the time to come, and religiously to perform the conditions of his covenant, Ostervald. 3 R

The Levites make a religious

Before CHRIST 445.

h Exod. 14. 22.

i Exod 15. 10.

k Exod. 13.

21.

& 19. 20.

thou get thee a name, as it is this day.

h

11 And thou didst divide the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; and their persecutors thou threwest into the deeps, as a stone into the i mighty waters.

12 Moreover thou kleddest them in the day by a cloudy pillar; and in the night by a pillar of fire, to give them light in the way wherein they should go.

1 Exod. 20. 1. 13 Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right + Heb. laws judgments, and † true laws, good statutes, and commandments:

of truth.

m Exod. 16. 15. & 17. 6.

14 And madest known unto them thy holy sabbath, and commandedst them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses thy servant:

15 And gavest them bread from Numb. 20. 9. heaven for their hunger, and broughtest forth water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and promisedst n Deut. 1. 8. them that they should "go in to pos+ Heb. which sess the land + which thou hadst sworn to give them.

thou hadst lift up thine hand to give them.

Before CHRIST

445.

t Deut. 8. 4.

22 Moreover thou gavest them kingdoms and nations, and didst divide them into corners: so they possessed the land of " Sihon, and the u Numb. 21. land of the king of Heshbon, and the 21, &c. land of Og king of Bashan.

23 Their children also multipliedst thou as the stars of heaven, and broughtest them into the land, concerning which thou hadst promised to their fathers, that they should go in to possess it.

24 So the children went in and possessed the land, and thou subduedst before them the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, and gavest them into their hands, with their kings, and the people of the land, that they might do with them as Heb. they would.

according to their will.

25 And they took strong cities, and a fat land, and possessed houses full of all goods, || wells digged, vine- || Or, cisterns. yards, and oliveyards, and fruit + Heb. tree of trees in abundance: so they did eat, and were filled, and became fat, and delighted themselves in thy great

4.

+ Heb. a God of pardons,

18 Yea, when they had made them a molten calf, and said, This is thy God that brought thee up out of Egypt, and had wrought great provocations;

19 Yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness: the 4 pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to shew them light, and the way wherein they should go.

20 Thou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst.

21 Yea, forty years didst thou sus

food.

26 Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified a1 Kings 19. against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations.

27 Therefore thou deliveredst them into the hand of their enemies, who vexed them and in the time of their trouble, when they cried unto thee, thou heardest them from heaven; and according to thy manifold mercies thou gavest them saviours, who saved them out of the hand of their ene

mies.

28 But after they had rest, they did evil again before thee: therefore leftest thou them in the hand of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them: yet when they returned, and cried unto thee, thou heardest them from heaven; and many times didst thou deliver them according to thy mercies;

29 And testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law: yet they dealt proudly,

10.

Heb. they do evil.

returned to