follows closely Deuteronomy 23:4 , Deuteronomy 23:5 , merely substituting the third for the second person, and abbreviating a little. On the turning of Balaam's proposed curse into a blessing see Numbers 24:10 . read more
Foes turned into friends. "Our God turned the curse into a blessing." Balaam, who was hired to curse Israel, and desired to do so, was compelled to bless them. A unique instance; but suggesting the general truth that God makes the efforts of men to injure his people a means of doing them good: and of doing good to others through them, which is also a mode of blessing them. How does he effect this? I. BY HIS OVERRULING PROVIDENCE . The case of Joseph is a notable instance see ... read more
They separated from Israel all the mixed multitude . Some lengthy process, like that pursued by Ezra ( Ezra 10:10-19 ), is probably glanced at in these words, and again in the opening words of verse 30—"Thus cleansed I them from all strangers." The rebukes of Nehemiah (verses 25-27) did not suffice to produce a voluntary putting away of the foreign wives. Judicial proceedings had to be taken, and the "mixed multitude" separated off by authority. read more
On that day - Or, “at that time,” as in Nehemiah 12:44.The entire Pentateuch is probably meant by “the Book of Moses”. read more
A separation like that made by Ezra, some 20 years previously Ezra 10:15-44, seems to be intended. The pagan wives were divorced and sent back, with their offspring, to their own countries. read more
Nehemiah 13:1. On that day they read in the book of Moses Not upon the day of the dedication of the wall and city, but upon a certain day, when Nehemiah was returned from the Persian court to Jerusalem, from which he had been absent for some considerable time, during which some errors and abuses had crept in. After his return, it seems, he continued the public reading of the law at stated times, probably on the great festivals, when all the people met together, (such as those mentioned... read more
Nehemiah 13:3. They separated from Israel all the mixed multitude All the Ammonites, Moabites, and other heathenish people, with whom they had contracted alliances. All these were cast out from the congregation of Israel, together with the children born of them; that is, they would not look upon them as Israelites, or as entitled to the same privileges with themselves. read more
Dedication of the wall (12:27-13:3)The story continues from where it left off in 10:39. After the reading of the law, the celebration of the Festival of Tabernacles and the people’s oath of loyalty to the covenant, the wall was dedicated. Priests, Levites, singers, musicians and leading citizens joined in the ceremony (27-30). The people assembled at a point beside the wall on one side of the city. They then divided into two groups and set off marching in opposite directions around the wall.... read more
On that day: i.e. of which he is about to write. the book of Moses. See App-47 . was found written = they came to the place or passage (viz. Deuteronomy 23:3-6 ). Not a discovery, but in the course of the public reading (as in Luke 4:17 ). Compare Nehemiah 8:14 . Moabite (masc). This did not therefore exclude Ruth, a female, though married to Mahlon before Boaz. congregation = assembly, or muster. God. Hebrew. Elohim. (withArt.) = the [true] God. App-4 . read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 13:1-31
The blessing of God on an active life founded upon his word. I. THE TRUE RELIGIOUS REFORMATION , both negative and positive. 1. Abuses must be vigorously attacked and cleansed away. The house of God has to be purified of strangers. The neglect of discipline a terrible evil. Unfaithful ministers the curse of the Church. The "mixed multitude" is no strength to Jerusalem, but weakness. The observance of the sabbath. To the Jew a typical commandment, which represented... read more