Matthew Poole and continuators on Nehemiah 5:12

12 Then said they, We will restore them , and will require nothing of them , so will we do as thou sayest. Then I called the priests , and took an oath of them , that they should do according to this promise.

To wit, the Lands and Houses.

For the hundredth part.

Either 1. As Delinquents in that kind; or rather as Witnesses; that the Oath being taken before the Priests, who acted in God's Name and stead, the Oath might make the more deep and durable impression upon their consciences. See Numb. 5. 19. 1 King. 1. 8, 31, 32.

Not of the Priests last mentioned, for it doth not appear that any of them were guilty, and it is absurd to think that they onely were guilty of this extortion, as they must be, if this them belongs to them onely; but of all the Persons who were before charged with this crime, v. 3, 4. whether Priests or others, as is evident from the text and from the nature of the thing.

Marginal references: Jer. 34. 8, 9.