Matthew Poole and continuators on Nehemiah 13

1 ON that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people ; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever;

Not now presently after the dedication of the wall and gates and City, but upon a certain day, as that phrase is very commonly used in Scripture without any relation to the time or things mentioned next before it; to wit, when Nehemiah was returned again from the Persian court to Ierusalem, from which he had been absent for some considerable time, in which some errours and abuses had crept in which now he endeavours to remove.

Partly because it was not only the Priests but also the peoples duty to study and understand Gods Law and their own duty: and partly that the people hearing that this was the express mind and will of the great God might the more willingly yield to the following duties, some of which were attended with difficulty and required self denial.

i. e. Not be incorporated into the common wealth of Israel, nor be joyned with any Israelite in marriage relation, as appears from, v. 3. That practice being a plain comment upon this law. But of this and the next verse see the notes on Deut. 23. 3, 4.

Marginal references: Heb. there was read.; Heb. ears.; Deut. 23. 3.

3 Now it came to pass when they heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude .

i. e. All the heathenish people with whom they had contracted alliances. See ch. 9. 2. And Ezra 10. 3.

4 And before this Eliashib the priest having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah :

The High-Priest, ch. 3. 1. Or some other Priest so called, there being divers Eliashibs, in or about this time, Ezra 10. 6, 24, 27, 36. Though the first seems most probable, by comparing this verse with v. 28. and with ch. 12. [illegible: 1 word] ▪ 11.

[illegible: 1+ letters]. [illegible: 1+ letters]. Of the chamber, as appears from the following verse; and from [illegible: 1+ letters]. 9. where it is called chambers, and from the nature of the thing, the High-Priest having the chief power over the house of God, and all the Chambers belonging to it. The singular number for the plural.

The Ammonite, and a violent Enemy to Gods People. So this is noted as a great blemish to Eliashib, and as the cause of his other miscarriage noted v. 5.

Marginal references: ti[illegible: 1+ letters]e.; Heb. being set over.

5 And he had prepared for him a great chamber ; where aforetime they laid the meat-offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, ( which was commanded to be given to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters) and the offerings of the priests.

By removing the things which were in it, and uniting divers small chambers into one, and furmshing it for the use of Tobiah, when he came to Ierusalem: whom he seems to have lodged there, that he might have more free and secret communication with him, this being in a place where the People might not come.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 span]

6 But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem : for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon, came I unto the king , and after certain days obtained I leave of the king:

And Eliashib took the occasion of my absence to do these things, supposing that I would no more return thither.

To wit, from Ierusalem; where he had been once and again.

Heb. in the end of days, or of a year, as that word oft signifies.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] of [illegible: 1 word]; Or, [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word]

8 And it grieved me sore , therefore I cast forth all the houshold stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber.

That so sacred a place should be polluted by one who in many respects ought not to have come there, being no Priest, a stranger, an Ammonite, and one of the worst of that People; and that all this should be done by the permission and order of the High-Priest, who by his Office should have punished and reformed these things in others.

9 Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers ; and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat-offering and the frankincense.

By such means and rites as were then usual in such cases. See Numb. 19. 9.

10 And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them : for the Levites and the singers that did the work, were fled every one to his field .

Which might be either 1. From this corrupt High-Priest Eliashib, who took their portions, as he did the sacred Chambers, to his own use, or employed them for the entertainment of Tobiah, and his other great allies. Or 2. From the People, who either out of Covetousness reserved them to themselves contrary to their own solemn Agreement and Covenant▪ ch. 10. 37. or were so offended at Eliashib's horrid and manifest abuse of sacred things, that they abhorred the Offering and Service of God, as others did upon a like occasion, 1 Sam. 2. 17. and therefore neglected to bring in their Tithes, &c. which they knew would be perverted to bad uses.

To his possession in the Country, being forced to do so for a livelyhood.

Marginal references: Ma[illegible: 1+ letters]. 3. [illegible: 1+ letters].; Num. 35. 2.

11 Then contended I with the rulers , and said, Why is the house of God forsaken ? And I gathered them together , and set them in their place .

I sharply reproved those Priests to whom the management of these things was committed, for neglect of their duty, and breach of their late solemn Promise.

You have not only injured men in with-holding their dues, but you have occasiond the neglect of Gods House and Service.

To Ierusalem from their several Country possessions, in which they were dispersed.

Restored them to the exercise of their Office.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1 word].

12 Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn, and the new wine, and the oil unto the treasuries.

Partly out of the respect which they had to Nehemiah, and to his Command: and partly because they saw they would be applied to their proper uses, and not abused, as they had been.

Marginal references: Or, [illegible: 1 word]. houses.

13 And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe , and of the Levites Pedajah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful , and their office was to distribute unto their brethren .

The Ecclesiastical Scribe, who was to keep the accounts of the Receipts and Disbursements.

By common Fame, and the consent of those who knew them. Such he now sought out the more diligently, because he had late experience of the perfidiousness of the former Trustees.

According to their several Families, as the Law had prescribed.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1 word] hard.; Heb. it [illegible: 1 word] upon [illegible: 1 word].

14 Remember me, O my God, concerning this ▪ and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof.

What I have done with an upright heart for thy House and Service be pleased graciously to accept, and remember for my good, according to thy promise.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1+ letters]2.; [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word]; [illegible: 1 word]

15 In those days saw I in Judah some treading winepresses on the Sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals.

I protested against the action, and admonished them to forbear it.

16 There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish , and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem .

Which they might take in the Sea near Ioppa, or bring from Tyre to Ioppa by Sea, and thence to Ierusalem, which was but a small Journey.

The holy City, where God's House and presence was; and where the great Judicatories of the Nation were. So this is added as an aggravation of their sin, that this was done with manifest contempt both to God and Men.

17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah , and said unto them▪ What evil thing is this that ye do, and prophane the sabbath-day?

i. e. Their chief Men and Rulers; whom he chargeth with this sin, because though others did it, it was by their countenance or connivance, and they should and might have punished and restrained it.

18 Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us , and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by prophaning the sabbath.

Which you so well and sadly remember, that I need not tell you the particulars.

19 And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates that there should no burthen be brought in on the sabbath day.

Which was about Sun-setting by reason of the Mountains which were round about, and near Ierusalem, Psa. 125. 2.

Out of a diffidence in those to whom the keeping of the Gates was committed.

Marginal references: Lev. 23. 32.; [illegible: 1+ letters]er. 17. 21.

21 Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodg ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you ▪ From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath.

I will punish you and seize your goods. For this was a temptation [illegible: 1 word] or needy Jews, that lived in or near the City, to [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] of buying their commodities, which then they might [illegible: 1 word] more advantage.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word]

22 And I commanded the Levites, that they should [illegible: 1 word] themselves , and that they should come and keep the gates , to sanctifie the sabbath-day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy .

Partly because the work they were now set upon, though common in its nature, yet was holy in design of it, and had respect unto the Sabbath: and partly because the day in which they were to do this was the Sabbath day, for the observation whereof they were obliged to prepare and purifie themselves.

Either 1. The Gates of the Temple. But a particular command was superfluous in that case, because it was their constant work and charge to do this both Sabbath-days and every day. Or rather 2. The Gates of the City; for of them he spake last, v. 19. and not daring to trust the common Porters of those Gates, not being able always to employ his men in that work, he committeth the charge of them for the present season, and upon the Sabbath-days, to the Levites, to whom the care of sanctifying the Sabbath did properly belong.

Whereby he intimates that though he mentioned his good works as things wherewith God was well-pleased, and which he had promised to reward, yet he neither did, nor durst trust to their merit, or his own worthiness, but, when he had done all, he judged himself an unprofitable servant, and one that needed Gods infinite Mercy and Indulgence to pardon all his sins, and particularly those infirmities and corruptions which adhered to his good deeds.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word], [illegible: 1 word]

23 In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod , of Ammon, and of Moab:

A City of the Philistines, 1 Sam. 5. 1, 2, &c.

Marginal references: Or, had made to dwell with them.; Ezra 9. 2.

24 And their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews language, but according to the language of each people .

Which their Mothers instilled into them, together with their Principles and Manners.

Marginal references: Heb. they discerned not to speak.; Heb. of people and people.

25 And I contended with them, and cursed them ▪ and smote certain of them , and pluckt off their hair ▪ and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for your selves.

i. e. Caused them to be excommunicated and cast out of the society and priviledges of Gods people. This and the following punishments were justly inflicted upon them, because this transgression was contrary both to a very plain and express Law of God, and also to their own late solemn Covenants and Promises, of which see Ezra 10. Nehem. 10. 30.

i. e. I caused them to be beaten with stripes, according to the Law, Deut. 25. 2.

Such whose faults were most aggravated by their quality or other circumstances: to whom he added this punishment over and besides the former.

Or, shaved them. The hair was an Ornament and Ensign of Liberty amongst the Eastern Nations; and baldness was a disgrace and token of slavery and sorrow. See Isa. 3. 24. & 15. 2. Ier. 48. 37. Ezek. 29. 18.

Marginal references: Or, reviled them.

27 Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God, in marrying strange wives?

Shall we justifie your action by permitting or not punishing it? God forbid.

28 And one of the sons of Jojada , the son of Eliashib the high priest, was son in law to Sanballat the Horonite: therefore I chased him from me .

Said by Iosephus to be that Manasses who by Sanballats interest procured Liberty to build the Samaritan Temple in mount Gerizim; to which those Priests who had married strange Wives, or been otherwise criminal, betook themselves, and with, or after, them, others of the people in the same or like circumstances.

i. e. From my Presence and Court, and from the City and Temple, and all the priviledges of the Priesthood, and from the whole Congregation and Church of Israel, whereof I am a member.

29 Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood , and of the Levites.

That Covenant made between me and his Progenitors for themselves and their Posterity, whereby I promised to give them an everlasting Priesthood, Numb. 25. 12, 13. and they covenanted with me that they would faithfully and holily execute that sacred Function according to the rules which I gave them whereby among other things, they were enjoyned to keep themselves pure from all unlawful marriages; and from all other things which might pollute them, or the Priesthood.

Marginal references: Heb, for the defilings.; Mal. 2. 4.

31 And for the wood-offerings at times appointed, and for the first-fruits . Remember me, O my God, for good.

And particularly I took care for these things, because they had been lately neglected.

Marginal references: Ch. 10. 34.