Madest known unto them thy holy sabbath . The anterior existence of the sabbath to the law is here implied, which accords with Genesis 2:2 , Genesis 2:3 , and Exodus 20:11 . Precepts, statutes, and laws . Rather a periphrasis for "the law" generally, than a logical division of the Law into distinct parts. read more
Nehemiah 9:14. And madest known unto them thy holy sabbath That holy sabbath day which thou didst bless and sanctify to Adam, commanding him, and in him all his posterity, to observe it, which yet almost all nations have quite forgotten; that day thou didst graciously reveal unto thy people, reviving that ancient law by another particular law respecting it, given to us in the wilderness. The Holy Scriptures speak of the sabbath as a singular gift of God to the Jewish nation, Exodus 16:29;... read more
Israel’s confession and oath (9:1-10:39)Two days after the end of the Feast of Tabernacles (which lasted from the fifteenth day to the twenty-second day of the month; see 8:18; Leviticus 23:34), the people reassembled for another reading of the law. After this came a time of confession and worship led by the Levites (9:1-5).The prayer began by exalting God as the great Creator, and by praising him for choosing Abraham and making his covenant with him (6-8). God was faithful to his people... read more
madest known . . . Thy, &c. Jehovah's Sabbath was in Genesis 2:1-3 . Made known to Israel (Exodus 20:9-11 ). Established as a sign (Exodus 31:13-17 ). holy. See note on Exodus 3:5 . sabbath = cessation (from work), rest. This rest was made for man (Mark 2:27 ). read more
2. The prayer of the people ch. 9The people were not content to go about their business as usual after hearing the Word of God read. They realized they needed to hear more and to get right with God more completely. read more
The prayer of praise 9:5-38A second group of seven Levites (Nehemiah 9:5) led the people in the prayer of praise that Nehemiah included in this book, perhaps on a different day than the prayer he wrote about in Nehemiah 9:1-4."The prayer is intended to instruct the readers. It gives us a survey of the history of Israel with emphasis on certain events in the life of the Chosen People. This approach is comparable to that of Psalms 78, 105, 106, 135, , 136." [Note: Fensham, pp. 227-28.] It is... read more
The Renewal of the Covenant4. Stairs] lit. ’ascent’: probably the pulpit of wood mentioned in Nehemiah 8:4. Bani.. Bani] One of the two names is probably an error for ’Binnui’: cp. Nehemiah 12:8.6. Thou, etc.] Before this LXX inserts ’And Ezra said.’ The prayer that follows first recalls God’s early mercies to the nation, the unworthy return made for such, the divine forbearance, the people’s renewed offences, and their consequent punishment; it next acknowledges the justice of the chastisement... read more
(14) Madest known unto them thy holy sabbath.—Every word here, as well as the prominence given to this among the other “commandments,” must be noted as illustrating the importance of this ordinance in the covenant of chapter 10 and throughout the book. read more
The Variedness of the Divine Benevolence Nehemiah 9:19 I. 'Thy manifold mercies' does not mean the same as 'thy many mercies'. Mercies may be numerous and yet not manifold. I may distribute bread amid a whole multitude in a wilderness. In this case my mercies have been numberless; but they have not been manifold. They have been all of one kind donation. Manifold mercy is mercy which takes different forms. It is like manifold architecture; it can build in opposite ways. II. I think there are... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 9:12-21
Israel in the desert. The people now recount the mercies of God to their fathers in the desert, and confess the sins of which they were guilty there. After deliverance from Egypt, the desert had to be passed before Canaan could be reached; and there the people were instructed and organised, tried and proved, disciplined and chastised, and thus prepared for orderly settlement as a nation in the promised land. I. THE DIVINE FAVOURS BY WHICH THEY WERE DISTINGUISHED . 1 ... read more