And because, &c. Ezra chapter 10 in Hebrew text begins with this verse. Princes. Nehemiah and Hananiah, if not others, were members of the royal family of Judah. See Nehemiah 1:1 . This chapter is parallel with the last chapter of Ezra ( Neh 10:1-44 ). Consequently all beyond it is supplementary (chronologically). See note on Nehemiah 9:1 , the Structure on p. 617, notes on p. 618, and App-58 . read more
Nehemiah 9:38. We make a sure covenant, and write it— It was but of little consequence what such a refractory people promised; for, what regard would they have to their own hand-writing, who would not regard the ten commandments written on tables of stone by the finger of God? It was, however, very useful that there should be a public instrument to convince them of their impiety, that, if they proved perfidious deserters, they might be publicly confounded by being shewn, under their own hands,... read more
38. we make a sure covenant, and write—that is, subscribe or sign it. This written document would exercise a wholesome influence in restraining their backslidings or in animating them to duty, by being a witness against them if in the future they were unfaithful to their engagements. 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
(38) Because of all this.—On the ground of this confession, and to prove our sincerity.Seal unto it.—On the sealed [document]. Each party impressed his seal on moist clay, which was then hardened. Sometimes these seals were attached to the document by separate strings. In Nehemiah 11:0, “those who sealed” is, literally, those on the sealed [documents], in the plural. 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
THE RELIGION OF HISTORYNehemiah 9:1-38AFTER the carnival-Lent. This Catholic procedure was anticipated by the Jews in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah. The merry feast of Tabernacles was scarcely over, when, permitting an interval of but a single day, the citizens of Jerusalem plunged into a demonstration of mourning-fasting, sitting in sackcloth, casting dust on their heads, abjuring foreign connections, confessing their own and their fathers’ sins. Although the singular revulsion of feeling may... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 9:1-38
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