Observations Upon the Old Testament, Commentary · Nehemiah
Nehemiah.
THE Book of Nehemiah is the last Book and History of the Old Testament, mentioning matters after Malachi. It containes an History of one hundred and twenty years, or thereabout; reckoning from the twentieth of Artaxerxes Longimanus when Nehemiah began, chap. II. 1. to the days of Jaddua, two years before the period of the Persian Empire, chap. XII. 11, 22. Some make it about fifty five; reckoning so from the twentieth of Artaxerxes Mnemon, to the period of the Persian Empire.
The two maine and differing reckonings then of the years of the two Books of Ezra, and Nehemie joyntly considered, stand thus; Reckoning as some do, to Ezra one hundred fourty six, and to Nehemie fifty five, the summe of both comes to two hundred and one. But rather reckoning to Ezra seventy two, and to Nehemie one hundred and twenty, the summe of both doth arise to one hundred ninety two. Thus the difference between these two reckonings of both Books joyntly, amounteth to nine years.
If this Nehemiah be the same that came up with Zerubbabel and Jeshua, mentioned Ezra II. 2. Neh. VII. 7. and writ this Book; then Nehemiah must needs be a very old man; And that passage, ch. XII. 10, 11. mentioning Jaddua the High Priest, must needs be inserted by some other Prophet since his dayes; And much more since the dayes of Ezra: For Jaddua lived till the dayes of Alexander the Great, and met him coming into Jerusalem: which is the very last Historical Passage and Record of the Old Testament: For Psalm XLIV. And LXXIV. conceived by some to be penned in the dayes of Antiochus Epiphanes, carrie no sure ground for such an after-date. And surely so many years as include the whole continuance of the Persian Empire and more, do far passe the date of one mans life in that age of the world. Yet that Nehemiah might well reach to the 32. year of Artaxerxes Longimanus; which is the last passage of this Book, setting that of Jaddua aside. However, many make this Nehemiah this famous Governour, to be another Nehemiah, of younger and later years, then he, Ezra II. 2. This Nehemiah came to his Government, when Eliashib, the Grandchilde of Jeshua, or Joshua, or Jehoshua was High Priest, chap. III. 1. and XII. 10. The whole time of his Government is set down, chap. II. 1. and chap. V. 14. and chap. XIII. 6. The first time was twelve years. And the twelve first Chapters of his Book mention the things that were done by him in the first year only of those twelve. The second time of his Government is contained in the last chapter: And the beginning and durance of it is uncertaine: yet long it was, as may be gathered out of chap. XIII. 28. See the Observations on that Text.
And it was] The first particle may seeme to joyne this Book to that of Ezra. chapter I verse 1 And some Translatours give this Book the title of the second Book of Esdras; as supposing Ezra to be the sacred Penman of both; though Nehemiah be brought in usualy speaking in his own person.
Chisleu] About our November.
Shushan] Shushan signifying a Lillie in the Greek; a Fountaine or Well in that Countrey language. The chief Citie in Persia; the winter Mansion of the Persian Monarchs. See Ezra VI. 2. Esther I. 2. Dan. VIII. 2.
the wall] Ever since the ruine made by Nebuchadnezzar. verse 3
Nisan] which is the Hebrew Abib; chapter II verse 1 about our March. the vernal equinoctial.
Artaxerxes] Longimanus, thirteene years after Ezra, chap. VII. 7.
I took up] His waiting-course being then come: four moneths after Hanani his coming, chap. I. 1, 2.
prayed] Nehemiah his Prayer, verse 4 by ejaculation, like that of Moses, Exod. XIV. 15. And specialy his zeale in the building, chap. IV. 16, 17, 23. and V. 11. And his speed, chap. VI. 15. And his courage against all oppositions, chap. IV. and chap. VI. And his care for the needy and oppressed, chap. V. 11, 12, 13. And his heat and wrath against sinne, chap. XIII. 25. And his wonderful bounty, chap. V. 14, 15, 17, 18. are all very remarkable.
a time] Twelve years, verse 6 chap. V. 14. and XIII. 6.
Sanballat] As the Samaritanes opposed and hindered Zerubbab…l in the Building of the Temple, Ezra IV. So the Moabite, Ammonite, and Arabian disturbed Nehemiah in the building of the walls of the Citie, Neh. II, 10, 19. and IV. 1, &c. and VI. 1, &c.
Which were] foreign; Here foreign (m) is used in the end of a word; which never useth so to be. And again foreign (m) proper to the end of a word, is found in the middle, in the beginning of Esay IX. 7.
Eliashib] Eliashib the son of Jojakim, chapter III & grandchild of Jeshua, (which Jeshua came up with Zerubbabel, Neh XII. 10. Ezra II. 2. and lived to finish the Building of the Temple, Hag. I. 14.) was High Priest in the Beginning of Nehemiah's twelve years Government, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes Longimanus, Neh. III. 1. 20. as was said before; about sixty years after the Temple was finished.
gate] For the Gates of the Citie of Jerusalem we read of the Citiegate, 2 Chron. XXXII. 6. the first Gate, Zech. XIV. 10. the Gate of Benjamin, Jer. XXXVII. 12, 13. and XXXVIII. 7. Zech. XIV. 10. situate in the wall of the Citie, in the Tribe of Benjamin, Northward. Yet said to be in the House of the Lord, Jer. XX. 2. that is, by it; as the particle Beth is used, Num. XXXIII. 37. Josh. V. 13. and chap. XXIV. ver. 25, 26, 32. Jer. XIII. 5. and XXXII. 7. the Gate of Ephraim, 2 Kings XIV. 13. Neh. XII. 39. the Corner Gate, 2 Chron. XXV. 23. and the Valley Gate, 2 Chron. XXVI. 9. the Fish Gate, 2 Chron. XXXIII. 14. The New Gate, Jer. XXVI. 10. because repaired new by Jotham, 2 Kings XV. 35. 2 Chron. XXVII. 3. Yet some make it the East Gate, some the West Gate of the outer Court of the Temple; wherein they will have the Sanhedrin to sit. The Gate between two walls, by the Kings Garden, if this be a Gate of the Citie, 2 Kings XXV. 4. In Nehemiah's time, at his new building of the Walls of the Citie, we read of the Sheep Gate; of the Fish Gate; the Old Gate; the East Gate, Jer. XIX. 2. the Valley Gate; the Dung-Gate; the Gate of the Fountain; the Water Gate; the Horse Gate; the Gate Miphkad or Judicatory; the Gate of Ephraim; the Prison Gate, Neh. II. 13, 14. and chap. III. 1; 3, 6, 13, 14, 15, 26, 28, 31. and chap. XII. 39. Zech. XIV. 10.
Besides Towers upon the Walls of both Cities; the Tower of Meah; the Tower of Hananeel; Neh. XII. 39. Zech. XIV. 10. on the East side of the Citie, between the Tower of Meah, and the corner gate, Neh. III. 1. the Tower of the Furnaces, Neh. III. 1, 11. and Ch. XII. 38, 39. and others.
And Valleys about it; as Jer. XXXI. 40. the Valley of the dead bodies, under Mount Golgotha, West-North-West of the Citie: and the Valley of Ashes; likely that came from the Altar of Burnt-Offerings: the Valley of Jehoshaphat on the East, and the Valley of the sons of Hinnom also; the Valley of Savey, or the Kings Vale or Dale on the South; and the Valley of Rephaim or Gyants, on the South-West.
And Fields mentioned about it, the Fullers field on the South, Esay VII. 1. and the Porters field, or Acheldama, on the South-East, Jer. XVIII. 2. and XIX. 2. and XXXI. 40. Matth. XXVII. 7. And Hills about Jerusalem were, Mount Olivet on the East; Mount Calverie or Golgotha on the West-North-west, Mount Gihon West, Mount Gareb North, Ier. XXXI. 39.
The Brook Kidron did runne on the East-side of Jerusalem; And the Fountain of Siloam, or waters of Gihon, on the West.
Pooles, two of note were near Jerusalem, Neh. III. 15, 16. The upper Poole of Siloah, called also the old Poole, and Kings Poole; on the South, 2 Kings XVIII. 17. Esay VII. 2. and XXXVI. 2. or South-West corner: receiving its water from the river Gihon. And the Lower, of which Esay XXII. 9. 2 Chron. XXXII. 30. which was made long after, Neh. III. 16. on the West: and drew water from the upper.
sanctified it] This sanctification of this Sheep-gate, built by the High Priest, and his brethren, is deemed by some to be extraordinarily ratified and graced with that miraculous gift of healing from this time vouchsafed to the Poole of Bethesda close by this Gate: of which mention is made, John V. 2.
cover not their iniquity] See the Observations on Psal. chapter IV verse 5 CIX. and the Annotations on this text of Nehemie.
unto the half] Of the height of the Wall. verse 6
a great cry] Of Oppressions in three sorts; chapter V set down in the three vers. following: Their needs and wants, which made them liable to these oppressions, being the more occasioned by their labours so much imploied in the publick work of the Walls.
usury] Ver. 10. Of this see the inhibitions, verse 7 Exod. XXII. 25. Lev. XXV. 36, 37. Deut 23. 19, 20. Ezek. XVIII. 8. 13, 17. And Gods judgements against it, Prov. XXVIII. 8. Ezek. XXII. 12, 13. Psal. XV. V. Yet the word is used sometimes in a larger sense, and lawfull way; as Matth. XXV. 27. Luke XIX. 23. And so Esay XXIV. 2. Jer. XV. 10. And to a stranger the Jewes might lend upon usury, Deut. XXIII. 20.
even this day] Without delay: verse 11 as Gen. XVII. 23.
hundreth part] Which seemes to be that which they received for use and interest; likely the hundreth part by the monethmonth of what they lent.
require nothing] Here is more then was asked; verse 12 or rather nothing more then what thou askest.
an oath] See the Observations on Hos. IV. 15.
Shook my lap] See such like Rites used Luke IX. 5. Acts XIII. 51. and XVIII. 6. 1 Kings IV. 29, 30. verse 13
fourty Shekels] Five pounds haply each day, verse 15 taken and gathered from among them all.
daily] Yet Solomons exceeded farre, verse 18 1 Kings IV. 22, 23.
Ono] A Valley, chapter VI and a Citie in Benjamin, chap. XI. 35. 1 Chron. VIII. 12. not farre from Jerusalem.
the fifth time] Thinking to prevaile by impudent importunity. verse 5
their King] A charge of high treason. verse 6 So Ezra. IV. 12, 13. John XIX. 12.
Shemajah] His vile hypocrisie, verse 10 false prophesie, corruption by bribery, so attempting strongly to hinder or destroy Nehemiah, and his godly proceedings.
Elul] About our August. verse 15
in fifty and two dayes] Wondrous speed. See the Annotations. This was in the twentieth or one and twentieth year of Artaxerxes, and first year of Nehemiah's Government.
Nobles of Judah] Guilty likely some way in the matter of marrying strange wives, verse 17 ver. 18.
These are the children] See the Observations on Ezra▪ chapter VII verse 6 II. 2,—60.
And some] These Contributions differ from those Ezra II. 68, 69. And were made at another time, verse 70 long after the other; namely when Nehemie gathered the Nobles and Rulers together, ver. 5.
seventh monethmonth] Beginning with the Autumnal Equinoctial, and was at first the first monethmonth, but changed, Exod. XII. 1, 2. The Jews being then in their Cities; gathered themselves to Ierusalem, ver. 5. and chap. VIII. 1, 2.
seventh monethmonth] See more of this in the Annotations on 1 Kings VIII. chapter VIII 2. and the Observations on Lev. XXIII. ver. 24. This was in the first year of Nehemiah's Government. verse 2
Also Ieshuah] Here are thirteen in several places, at the same time with Ezra, verse 7 reading, and expounding the Law to the people, ver. 12.
Wept] As weeping at Prayer, Ezra X. 1. So here weeping at Preaching, ver. 11.
Second day] Of this seventh monethmonth. verse 13
feast] On the fifteenth day, verse 14 for seven dayes together. Of this Feast, see Levit. XXIII. 34. Deut. XVI. 13.
roof of his house That were flat, and most likely leaded. verse 16 So Deut. XXII. 8. 2 Sam. XI. 2. Ier. XIX. 13. and XXXII. 29. Matth. X. 27. 2 Kings XXIII. 12. Zeph. I. 5.
Done so] Making such Booths; verse 17 and having an holy Convocation, not only on the first, and last day, as the Law required; but on every of the seven dayes, ver. 18.
Eighth day] Which likewise was injoyned by the Law, verse 18 Levit. XXIII. 36.
twenty and fourth day] The second day after the Feast of Tabernacles was ended. chapter IX verse 1
separated themselves] They had not yet fully performed what they had solemnly covenanted, verse 2 Ezra X. 3. or soone fell into that sin again, chap. XIII. 23, 24. And were also under the guilt of the breach of that Commandment, Deut. XXIII. 3. Hereupon they make an ample Confession of sinne of their fathers, and their own, in this Chapter; and solemnly renew their Covenant with God for amendment, in the next Chapter.
One fourth part] Which is three hours; verse 3 viz. those from our nine to twelve, in reading and expounding.
another fourth part] From twelve to three; in prayer, confessing, and worshipping: all the time between the morning and evening sacrifice spent in those two.
Ieshua] Here are eight, verse 4 in eight several places, preaching to eight several Congregations.
bread water] 1 Cor. verse 15 X. 2, 3, 4. Spiritual blessings also in them.
Appointed a Captaine] This explaines that, verse 17 Num. XIV. 4.
Seraiah] Chap. chapter X verse 2 XI. 11. The persons that sealed the Covenant are set down; Priests, twenty two; Levites, seventeen; chief of the people, fourty four; did it in the name of all the rest.
entred into a curse] As by Covenant, verse 29 and Seale, and Oath; so by an Execration they bound themselves. See Iudg. XXI. 18.
to observe] The matter of the Covenant: set forth afterwards in seven main branches.
third part of a Shekel] A new Ordinance for this time, and present necessity. verse 32
year by year] As so bound by the Law. verse 35
Shall be with the Levites] See Num. verse 38 XVIII. 26, 27, 28, 29.
take Tythes] Or rather give Tythes.
lots] See the Annotations on Ionah I. chapter XI verse 1 7. This also was in the first year of Nehemiah's Government.
to dwell] Chap. VII. 4 the inhabitants few: therefore here is care taken to increase the number: and by lot to take one out of ten; beside Volunteers.
Solomons servants] See the Observations on 1 Kings IX. 21. verse 3
at Ierusalem dwelt] The inhabitants of Ierusalem after the Returne are recroded here; verse 4 and 1 Chron. IX. But with much variation. And many more are recorded in that of 1 Chr. IX. as intending there al promiscuously, both such as were chosen by Lot, and also Volunteers. And moreover there is mention made of Ephraimites, Menaschites, Zerachites, and others which are not once named here. And also the accompt was taken likely at another time after the first Record in Nehemie. chap. VII. 5, &c.
Ophel] See the Observations on 2 Chron. XXVII. 3. verse 21
over the businesse] These for the inward businesse of the house of God, verse 22 to assist it, in executing their function there: as those Levites, ver. 16. had the oversight of the outward businesse of the house of God, 1 Chron. IX. 15, 16. and chap. XXVI. 29.
the Kings commandment] As formerly, verse 23 Ezra VI. 8, 9. and Ezra VII. 2, 24. So here by the Kings grant to Nehemiah.
Villages] From the inhabitants of Ierusalem, verse 25 he proceeds now to the inhabitants of other Cities, Villages, and places: and first in the tribe of Iudah, ver. 25,—30. Then in Benjamin, ver. 31,—36.
And of the Levites] Cities, verse 36 and Suburbs were given to the Levites, in Iudah, and Benjamin, for the necessary use of instructing and teaching the people.
Priests] The chief of them, chapter XII ver. 7. that came up with Zerubbabel, and were in the dayes of Ieshua; verse 1 in number twenty two. Many of these Priests are not mentioned in that Catalogue, Ezra II. 36,—39. and might well be there left out, without blame.
The Levites] The chief of them, in the foresaid time; verse 8 in number eight, ver. 8, 9.
Ieshua Catalogue or Series of the High Priests from Ieshua or Ioshua, to the end of the Persian Empire, verse 10 from Cyrus to Alexander the Great; in six generations, ver. 10, 11. Of these, Eliashib was allied to Tobia; and Ioiada to Sanballet; both alients, and enemies to the Jewes, chap. XIII. 4, 5, 28, 29. And Iaddua the last of them hath his name inserted here by some Prophet, after the dayes of Ezra, and Nehemiah too, specialy if Nehemiah be the man that came up with Zerubbabel; as hath been said in the Observations upon the beginning of this Book. See them.
dayes of Iojakim] The sonne of Ieshua. verse 12 As formerly in his fathers dayes; so here in his dayes, the Prime Priests that were Heads of families, (those in his fathers time being supposed to be now dead) are set down; in number twenty, from ver. 12. to 21. These relate to those ver. 1,—7. Yet the number of the Courses of the Priests appointed by David was twenty four, 1 Chron. XXIV. 7, 18. That the number of the Priests were now but few, that place Ezra VIII. 15. doth import.
The Levites] The chief Fathers of them; verse 22 in the times here mentioned.
recorded] And so to be found registred by name in the publike records; so as they need not here to be set down again.
also the Priests] They likewise so recorded; and so not needful to be here recited.
Darius] Darius Codomannus; the last Persian Emperour, conquered by Alexander the Great.
in the Book of the Chronicles] 1 Chron. IX. 14, 15, 16. seeme to be related to in these words, verse 23 for these Levites, in the times of these High Priests.
Porters] See 1 Chron. XXVI. and chap. IX. verse 25
Nehemiah] It seemes hereby that Joshuah the High Priest was dead before Nehemiah came as Governour into Judea; verse 26 yea or Ezra with his Commission.
Dedication of the wall] The former Genealogies and Records of the Priests and Levites seeme to be insisted upon, verse 27 the rather because they had so prime an hand in the Dedication of the wall. And therefore they are here so carefully gathered and brought together, 27, 28, 29. And this seemes to be also in the first year of Nehemiah's Government.
purified] See the Annotations. verse 30
I brought up] The maner of the Dedication of the wall was thus; The wall was thick and broad; verse 31 that divers went a breast on it. Nehemiah appointed two great companies, consisting of Priests, Levites, Princes, and People. They entred upon the wall about the middle of the West wall, near the Dung-gate. And there the two companies parted. And each went as in Procession in this Order; The one company had Ezra the Priest and Scribe before them. And other Priests after him, founding their Trumpets. After them the Levites, playing on sacred musical instruments; and singers of them, that sang with a loud voice; All sounding forth Gods praise, and their own thankfulnesse and joy, ver. 31,—42. After them the Princes and Rulers. After them the People. And last of all, some great Prince, likely next in degree to Nehemiah. And this company thus went on the right hand South-ward by the Fountain Gate; and about the Citie of David, and all along the South-wall, even unto the Water-gate on the East. The other company went in like equipage; and Nehemiah himself the last of them. And they made their Procession on the left hand North-wards, from beyond the Tower of the Furnaces, even unto the Broad wall. And all along the North-side, from above the Gate of Ephraim, and above the Old-gate; and above the Fish-gate, and the Tower of Hananeel, and the Tower of Meah, even unto the Sheep-gate, on the East; And they stood still in the Prison-gate. The two companies somewhat beyond this Gate met together, that they might in order descend from this East-wall, to go into the House of God. And likely it was from the Water-gate on the East-wall; For the street it opened upon, was one of the eminentest, and of greatest receipt in the Citie, deemed to be that of Millo, which lay between the Temple on Mount Morea, and the Pallace on Mount Zion, by which the King and Courtiers did usualy passe to and fro, Neh. III. 26. and VIII. 3, 16. 2 Chron. XXIX. 3, 4. and XXXII. 6.
Ezra] Some other Ezra. verse 33
Ezra the Scribe] That famous Ezra. verse 36
Gate] Of the Gates, and Towers in this Procession mentioned, verse 39 see the Observations on chap. III. 1.
great sacrifices] As in like cases of joy and thankfulnesse: verse 43 So 1 Chr. XXIX. 21. 1 Kings VIII. 62, 63.
for the treasures] 1 Chron. verse 44 IX. 26. And so in Hezekiah's time, 2 Chr. XXXI. 4, 5, 11. See again, Neh. XIII. 12, 13.
And the Levites sanctified them unto] The Levites paid to the Priests the tythes of all their tythes, verse 47 Num. XVIII. 26,—30.
On that day] chapter XIII verse 1 Doubtful it is to what particular time this relates. Yet most likely, to that Interim of time which passed in the absence of Nehemiah, between the end of the first, and beginning of his second Government.
written] Deut. XXIII. 3. See the Observations on that text.
they met not] As Melchizedek did, verse 2 Gen. XIV. 17.
separated] See that Ezra chap. verse 3 IX. and X. and Neh. IX. 2. and ch. X. 30. and chap. XIII. 23,—30. So difficult was this point of the Reformation; and so ready they to relapse into this sinne.
a great chamber] Pulling down the Partitions, verse 5 to make two or three into one.
I cast forth] And so ver. 9. verse 8 brought I again. By my command and authority, not in my person.
had not been given] This, verse 10 and other matters imply the Interim of Nehemiah's absence to have been more then a year.
Sabbath] See the Annotations on Jer. verse 15 XVII. 21, 22, 24, 27.
dark] The sooner, because of the hills about Jerusalem: verse 19 and the Sabbath was to be kept from Even to Even.
some of my servants] That the Merchants might not thrust in amongst those that came to the Service in the Temple.
the Gates] The Gates of the Temple; verse 22 by keeping out persons legaly unclean from the house and ordinances of God.
swear] And so they had sworn before, verse 25 chap. X. 29, 30.
sons of Jojada] His grandchilde, verse 28 called Menasche, and brother of Jaddua the High Priest, as Josephus writeth, Antiq. lib. 11. c. 7.
I chased him from me] This argues this Nehemiah not to be that man mentioned, Ezra II. 2. that came up with Zerubbabel: and yet to live to a very great age, whether he were the Penman of this Book; or else this clause inserted by some other Prophet. See the Observations on the beginning of this Book.
Remember me] So likewise, verse 31 ver. 14. and 22. and chap. V. 19. He pleads not here any merit of his own, but all he pleads is for Gods merciemercy sake; all goodnesse in him still proceeding from Gods meere grace. He doth chear up himself in this, in the sincerity and integrity of his heart, and the effects thereof, as fruits and sound proofs of the truth of Gods graces in him, whereupon he further with comfort expects more meere merciemercy to come from the Lord.