Nehemiah 13:23-31

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Nehemiah 13:23-31

We have here one instance more of Nehemiah's pious zeal for the purifying of his countrymen as a peculiar people to God; that was the thing he aimed at in the use of his power, not the enriching of himself. See here, I. How they had corrupted themselves by marrying strange wives. This was complained of in Ezra's time, and much done towards a reformation, Ezra 9:1-10:44 But, when the unclean spirit is cast out, if a watchful eye be not kept upon him, he will re-enter; so he did here. Though in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 13:23

In those days also I saw Jews that married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab. Ashdod, or Azotus, as it is called in Acts 8:40 , was one of the five cities of the Philistines; which, though none of the seven nations with whom marriage was forbid, yet it was very unfit and improper to marry with them, Judges 14:3 . This place was a mart of the Arabians F8 Mela de Situ Orbis, l. 1. c. 10. , where they sold their goods, to which the Jews might resort, and thereby be ensnared into... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 13:24

And their children spoke half in the speech of Ashdod ,.... Which they learned of their mothers, so that it was a mixed language they spoke, partly Jewish and partly Philistine; but some refer this not to their speech, but to the number of their children; that half of them, which Jarchi interprets many of them, spoke in the language of Ashdod, even as many as were most with their mothers, and chiefly brought up by them: and could not speak in the Jews' language ; not at all, or so much... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 13:25

And I contended with them ,.... Argued with them, faithfully admonished them, and sharply reproved them: and cursed them ; assuring them that the curse of God would come upon them, unless they repented. Aben Ezra interprets it of excommunicating them, either with "Cherem" or "Niddui", which were two sorts of excommunication among the Jews; but it is a question whether as yet those were used by them: and smote certain of them ; ordered them to be beaten with rods or scourges, as... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 13:26

Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things ?.... By marrying strange wives, by whom he was drawn into idolatry, 1 Kings 11:3 , yet among many nations was there no king like him ; as not for grandeur and riches, so not for wisdom, and yet was ensnared by his idolatrous wives: who was beloved of God ; alluding to his name Jedidiah, which signifies beloved of the Lord, 2 Samuel 12:24 and God made him king over all Israel ; which was a proof of his love to him, and so he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 13:27

Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil ,.... To suffer it to be done, and connive at it, and not punish for it: to transgress against our God ; his law, his mind, and will: in marrying strange wives ? forbidden by him, Deuteronomy 7:1 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 13:28

And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest ,.... A grandson of the high priest; for the high priest here is Eliashib, according to our version, and not Joiada his son, according to Dr. Prideaux F9 Connect. par. 1. p. 412. ; the person designed, Josephus F11 Antiqu. l. 11. c. 8. sect. 2,4. makes to be Manasseh, the brother of Jaddua the high priest: was son in law to Sanballat the Horonite ; married a daughter of his, who was the avowed enemy of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 13:29

Remember them, O my God ,.... The priests, and punish them: because they have defiled the priesthood; by marrying strange wives, and rendering themselves unfit to officiate in it: and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites ; made with Levi, Aaron, and Phinehas, see Numbers 24:11 , of the corruption of which, complaint is made, Malachi 2:4 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 13:30

Thus cleansed I them from all strangers ,.... Both people and priests from strange wives, obliging them to put them away, or flee their country: and appointing the wards of the priests and the Levites, everyone in his business : to do the work of their office in their courses and turns. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 13:31

And for the wood offering, at times appointed ,.... Of which see Nehemiah 10:34 . Levites were appointed to receive the wood that was brought at the times and by the persons fixed, and lay it up in its proper place, and carry it to the altar when wanted: and for the first fruits ; to receive and take care of them, and distribute them to the persons to whom they belonged: remember me, O my God, for good ; to bless him with all good things, temporal and spiritual, to keep him... read more

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