Nehemiah 9:37

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Nehemiah 9:4-38

We have here an account how the work of this fast-day was carried on. 1. The names of the ministers that were employed. They are twice named (Neh. 9:4, 5), only with some variation of the names. Either they prayed successively, according to that rule which the apostle gives (1 Cor. 14:31; You may all prophesy one by one), or, as some think, there were eight several congregations at some distance from each other, and each had a Levite to preside in it. 2. The work itself in which they employed... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 9:37

And it yieldeth much increase unto the kings whom thou hast set over us, because of our sins ,.... Though a very fruitful land, and brought forth much, yet not for them, but for foreign kings, that had the sovereignty over them, and enacted much toll, tribute, and custom from them, which greatly lessened the profit of the earth to them: also they have dominion over our bodies ; and could oblige them to work for them, and do any service they should command: and over our cattle, at... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 9:37

It yieldeth much increase unto the kings - Good and fruitful as the land is, yet it profits us little; as the chief profits on all things go to the kings of Persia. Over our bodies - Exacting personal and feudal services from us, and from our cattle; and this not by any fixed rate, or rule, of so much rent, so much labor, or boons; but at their pleasure; so that we can neither call our persons, our time, our land, nor our cattle, our own: therefore we are in great... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 9:1-38

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 9:1-38

The solemn fast of assembled Israel. Notice three features in the people's religious life. 1 . Their confession of sin. 2 . Their external reformation. 3 . Their solemn adoption of the written word of God as the law of their life. Take these as representative, universal. I. HUMILIATION AND CONFESSION . 1 . Public and united as well as private and solitary. Great impressiveness in numbers. The heart needs the stimulus of contact with great waves of feeling. There... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 9:2-38

Appeal It has been remarked that there is no prayer in this lengthy address to God. And the absence of direct supplication is certainly very noticeable. But it must be remembered that we may make our appeal to God in more ways than by directly asking him for the blessings we desire at his hand. The comparative and almost complete absence of formal petition from this address suggests to us that we may go far towards winning our cause by— I. PRESENTING THE SOUL BEFORE GOD IN ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 9:32-38

A sorrowful appeal to the Divine compassion. The conclusion of the public united confession. It contains— I. AN APPROPRIATE INVOCATION . Similar to that of Nehemiah ( Nehemiah 1:5 ), and which would be felt as suitable after the preceding recital of the Divine proceedings. II. AN APPEAL TO THE DIVINE PITY . In view of— 1 . The greatness of their past troubles (verse 32). "Let not all the trouble seem little." "Do not regard it as too little to require notice... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 9:37

It yieldeth much increase unto the kings . "The Persian monarchs derive a large revenue from our territory." The amount paid by Judaea is not known; but Syria, in which Judaea was included, paid annually in money 350 talents of silver (Herod. 3:91), or about £90,000. There was also a further contribution in kind. They have dominion over our bodies . They can impress us either as soldiers or sailors, and make us fight their battles for them. Jews probably took part in the expedition of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Nehemiah 9:37

Nehemiah 9:37. And it yieldeth much increase unto the kings, &c. We plough, and sow, and labour, and thou givest thy blessing to our endeavours; and yet in a great measure this is not for ourselves, as formerly it was, but for our kings, to whom we pay heavy tributes. Also they have dominion over our bodies Which are liable to be pressed, to serve in the king’s wars, or in his works. And over our cattle at their pleasure Our cattle are liable to be made use of, when there is... read more

Donald C. Fleming

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

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