Verse 25
25. I contended with them By rebuke and expostulation, as he had done with the rulers and nobles. Vers. 11, 17.
Cursed them Comp. Malachi 3:9. He went beyond mere expostulation, and pronounced them cursed of God in having thus violated the Divine law.
Smote certain of them As governor he had them scourged as public offenders. Compare Deuteronomy 25:2-3.
Plucked off their hair A penalty designed to be both painful and disgraceful. The offence was too great to be allowed to pass without severe treatment.
Made them swear As Ezra had made the people, guilty of the same offence, do some years before. Ezra 10:5.
Not give your daughters The principal members of the community had taken the same oath during Nehemiah’s administration, (Nehemiah 10:30;) but, perhaps, the ones now guilty were not among that number.
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