Neemias

Neemias 10:1

Ver. 1. Athersatha. Heb. hatirshatha. Prot. "the tirshatha," cup-bearer, or governor, highly (H.)

"privileged" and honoured by Artaxerxes. W. --- Heb. "And over those who were sealed, (C.

Sept. or who sealed the deed. H.) Nehemias, the cup-bearer." Esdras, Eliasib,

&c. were also princes. C. --- It is not easy to account for the omission of their names. M. --- They may be designated by different titles. An aristocracy, mixed with oligarchy, was the present form of government. The advice of the ancients, and of the people, was taken. C. --- Hachelai, is less properly styled Helchias; (C. i. 1.) where the Sept. read Chelchias, or Achalia, (Heb. chacala) as well as here.

Neemias 10:8

Ver. 8. Priests. All, at least after Nehemias. H.

Neemias 10:14

Ver. 14. Pharos. Many of these are mentioned as returning from Babylon. C. vii.

8. 11. &c.

Neemias 10:28

Ver. 28. Lands. Idolaters, (H.) namely, the proselytes. M. --- Daughters. These did not all subscribe in person, but by the hands of the intelligent, and chief men, (v. 29.) or, (C.) as the Sept.

seem to understand, these went through the different ranks of the people, and received their oaths.

E. M.

Neemias 10:29

Ver. 29. Understand. Heb. mebin, "the teachers," or Levites. 1 Esd. viii. 16. M.

--- Promising.

Heb. "clave to their brethren;" and they promised with a curse to transgressors, and with an oath to walk, &c. H.

Neemias 10:30

Ver. 30. And. In all covenants, the articles which have been chiefly broken, are specified. W.

Neemias 10:31

Ver. 31. Holy day. The contrary practice is therefore sinful. H. --- Year. Not cultivating the land.

Lev. xxv. 4. --- Hand. No debts were to be demanded. Deut. xv. 1. M.

Neemias 10:32

Ver. 32. Third part. About 9 d. (H.) on account of the poverty of the people. C. ---

They afterwards paid half a sicle, or 1 s. 2 d. conformably to the law. Ex. xxx.

13. Mat. xvii. 23. H. ---

Before the captivity, the kings of Juda provided sacrifices, (2 Par. xxxi. 3.) and after, the Persian monarchs supplied what was requisite, in favour of Zorababel and Esdras. C. vi. 8. and vii. 21.

But these grants had been recalled, or were not well executed.

Neemias 10:34

Ver. 34. Wood. The Nathinites had performed this office till the captivity. But not their numbers were too small. C. --- The people therefore brought the wood. The Levites, with the Nathinites, carried it into the temple, and the priests laid it upon the altars; all being regulated by lots. Lyran.

--- Hence the feast called Xylophoria, was instituted about the month of August, as we may gather from Josephus. The Rabbins say that the priests cut the wood, from March till the 15th of July.

Neemias 10:35

Ver. 35. Every tree, of seven species; the pear, apple, fig, apricot, olive, palm, and vine trees; besides wheat, legumes, &c. C. --- For three years the fruit was deemed unclean. Lev. xix. 23.

M.

Neemias 10:37

Ver. 37. Meats. Heb. "paste." Num. xv. 20. C. and xxiii. 17. --- Ground, or the produce. M.

Neemias 10:38

Ver. 38. With. To observe that all is done according to the law. Num. xviii. 26. C.