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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Nehemiah 8:9-12

We may here observe, I. How the people were wounded with the words of the law that were read to them. The law works death, and speaks terror, shows men their sins, and their misery and danger because of sin, and thunders a curse against every one that continues not in every part of his duty. Therefore when they heard it they all wept (Neh. 8:9): it was a good sign that their hearts were tender, like Josiah's when he heard the words of the law. They wept to think how they had offended God, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 8:10

Then he said unto them ,.... Nehemiah the Tirshatha or governor: go your way ; to their own houses, and refresh themselves; it being noon, and they had stood many hours attentive to the reading and expounding of the law: eat the fat, and drink the sweet : not a common meal, but a feast, consisting of the richest provisions, the best of food and liquors and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared ; for the poor, who had no food at home provided for them; the widow,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 8:10

Eat the fat , and drink the sweet - Eat and drink the best that you have; and while ye are feeding yourselves in the fear of the Lord, remember those who cannot feast; and send portions to them, that the joy and the thanksgiving may be general. Let the poor have reason to rejoice as well as you. For the joy of the Lord is your strength - This is no gluttonous and drunken festival that enervates the body, and enfeebles the mind: from your religious feast your... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 8:1-12

PART II . ACCOUNT OF THE STATE OF RELIGION AMONG THE JEWS UNDER THE ADMINISTRATION OF NEHEMIAH . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 8:1-12

Religious instruction. "And when the seventh month came," etc. To the well-being of a people the labours of the religious teacher are as necessary as those of the statesman. Nehemiah having provided for the safety of the Jews against their enemies, Ezra, the priest and scribe, steps forward to instruct them in the law of God. Of the manner in which he did this, and the reception his instructions met with, we have a specimen in this narrative. I. The TIME of the meeting. "The first... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 8:1-18

The word of God in a threefold relationship. I. THE WORD OF GOD AND POPULAR DESIRE . "And they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded to Israel." 1. The desire of the people for the word of God. 2. The attitude of the people toward the word of God. II. THE WORD OF GOD AND SPIRITUAL EMOTION . "This day is holy unto the Lord your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 8:8-12

Penitence turned into praise. I. ALL TRUE REJOICING MUST BE FOUNDED ON RECONCILIATION WITH GOD . 1. The righteousness of God in his law, while it condemns man, and makes the people to weep when they see their sin in its light, is yet declared not for condemnation, but for reconciliation. 2. The true ministers of God will proclaim mercy, not judgment, as the substance of their message. "This day is holy unto the Lord your God; mourn not, nor weep." There is a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 8:9-12

Religious emotion. The scene through which the redeemed and now secured nation was passing was fruitful of excitement. Everything conspired to affect the minds and stir the souls of the people. Large multitudes are soon wrought into intense feeling, and all that the assembled Israelites were then seeing, hearing, and doing,—this, taken with all they. recalled of old scenes and past glories, and these experiences and recollections mingled with reviving hopes of future freedom,—all together... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 8:10

Then he said . Either Ezra or Nehemiah, but probably the former, to whom it appertained to give religious directions . Eat the fat and drink the sweet . i.e. "Go and enjoy yourselves, eat and drink of the best—let there be no fasting, nor even abstinence, on such a day as this." But at the same time send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared . Make the poor partakers of your joy. "The stranger, the fatherless, and the widow" should have their part in the feast ( Deuteronomy... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Nehemiah 8:10

The “sending of portions” to the poor is not distinctly mentioned in any but the later historical Scriptures (compare the margin reference). The practice naturally grew out of this injunction of the Law Deuteronomy 16:11, Deuteronomy 16:14. read more

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