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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Nehemiah 10:32-39

Having covenanted against the sins they had been guilty of, they proceed in obliging themselves to revive and observe the duties they had neglected. We must not only cease to do evil, but learn to do well. I. It was resolved, in general, that the temple service should be carefully kept up, that the work of the house of their God should be done in its season, according to the law, Neh. 10:33. Let not any people expect the blessing of God unless they make conscience of observing his ordinances... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 10:34

And we cast the lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people ,.... The priests and Levites were in one lot, and the people in another, as Aben Ezra: for the wood offering ; for providing wood to burn upon the altar continually, concerning which Maimonides F3 Hilchot Cele Hamikdash, c. 6. sect. 9, 10. Vid. Maimon. & Bartenora in Misn. Taanith, c. 4. sect. 5. thus writes:"what is the wood offering? there was a time fixed for families to go out unto the forests, and bring... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 10:34

Cast the lots - for the wood-offering - There does not appear to have been any wood-offering under the law. It was the business of the Nethinim to procure this; and hence they were called hewers of wood and drawers of water to the congregation. But it is very likely that after the captivity few Nethinim were found; for as such, who were the descendants of the Gibeonites, were considered only as slaves among the Israelites, they would doubtless find it as much, if not more, their... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 10:1-39

1. The prohibition of intermarriage with the neighbouring idolatrous nations (verse 30); 2. The command to hallow the sabbath; 3. The law concerning the sabbatical year (verse 31); 4. The law of firstfruits (verses 35-37); 5. The obligation to pay tithes to the sacerdotal order (verses 37, 38). Finally, they undertook certain new obligations, not expressly contained in the law, but perhaps regarded as flowing from it by way of natural consequence, or else as desirable... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 10:1-39

A solemn covenant. The public confession and recital of God's dealings with Israel, recorded in the previous chapter, concluded with a declaration of the making of "a sure covenant," written and sealed. This chapter contains a particular account of the transaction. I. WHY THE COVENANT WAS MADE . 1. For the reasons contained in the previous confession. "Because of all this" ( Nehemiah 9:38 ). 2. In the hope that so solemn an engagement would greatly aid in insuring... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 10:1-39

Entering into covenant. Nehemiah and Ezra, and those who acted with them, showed true insight into character when they provided— I. THAT STRONG RELIGIOUS FEELING SHOULD TAKE DEFINITE FORM . "Because of all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, Levites, and priests, set their seal unto it" ( Nehemiah 9:38 ). And Nehemiah and Zidkijah (Zadok), and many others, priests, Levites, and heads of families, formally signed and sealed a solemn covenant,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 10:1-39

Solemn engagement to maintain the house of God. I. ALL SHOULD PLEDGE THEMSELVES "not to forsake the house of our God." Those who are first in position, influence, capability should be leaders in caring, for God's house. Distinction of rank is lost in the unity of dedication. The service of God will call to itself all the variety of human faculty. Where there is the heart "to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our God," there will be found an office or a post for each... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 10:34

We cast the lots for the wood offering . The "wood offering" is now first heard of. Fuel had probably been more plentiful in the times of the monarchy than it had now become, and the temple treasury had been rich enough to provide what was needed in order to keep the altar fire perpetually burning (Le Nehemiah 6:13 ). But times had changed. The hill-country of Judaea had gradually been stripped of its forests. The temple was, comparatively speaking, poor, and some permanent arrangement... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Nehemiah 10:34

No special provision was made by the Law, by David, or by Solomon, for the supply of wood necessary to keep fire ever burning upon the altar. Nehemiah established a system by which the duty of supplying the wood was laid as a burden in turn on the various clans or families, which were regarded as constituting the nation. The lot was used to determine the order in which the several families should perform the duty. A special day (the 14th of the fifth month, according to Josephus) was appointed... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Nehemiah 10:34

Nehemiah 10:34. And we cast lots among the priests, &c. They now determined, by casting lots, how much wood every one should bring in, for his share, to maintain the fire continually upon the altar to burn the sacrifices; and in what order it should be brought; and at what times of the year. read more

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