Matthew Poole and continuators on Nehemiah 13:1

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.