Matthew Poole and continuators on Nehemiah 13:25

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.