Est 9:1

Est 9: “The faithful day had arrived! After twelve months of drama, intrigue, prayer and preparation, the ultimate impact of the royal law became effective. Because the law of the king (like the law of sin and death) could not be removed, it had to be challenged and overcome through courage, conviction and warfare against the sin-power. The type and antitype are remarkable, and have great relationship to our personal circumstances in the battle of life. The warfare is described in Rom 7, as the apostle Paul found the law in his members fighting against the law of his mind. That issue is demonstrated in the parable of Esther. So the record continues: [1] The battle engaged: Est 9:1-11. [2] The conclusion of the contest: vv 12-19. [3] The Feast of rejoicing established: vv 20-32” (GEM).

ON THIS DAY THE ENEMIES OF THE JEWS HAD HOPED TO OVERPOWER THEM: Even after the execution of Haman, there were apparently some anti-Semites who still hoped to launch a great pogrom against God’s people on the decreed day.

Est 9:2

THE JEWS ASSEMBLED IN THEIR CITIES IN ALL THE PROVINCES OF KING XERXES TO ATTACK THOSE SEEKING THEIR DESTRUCTION: They assembled in accordance with the decree of Est 8:11.

NO ONE COULD STAND AGAINST THEM: Cp Zec 8:23; Isa 60:9.

Est 9:4

MORDECAI… BECAME MORE AND MORE POWERFUL: Cp Est 8:2,15; 10:3.

Est 9:7

Vv 7-10: The Jews kill the 10 sons of Haman. (These would have sought retaliation for their father’s death in typical ANE fashion.)

Although the “father” of Sin had been destroyed, the effects of Sin could be seen in his “children” as well — and so they must be destroyed too!

Est 9:10

GIVE THE JEWS IN SUSA PERMISSION TO CARRY OUT THIS DAY’S EDICT TOMORROW ALSO, AND LET HAMAN’S TEN SONS BE HANGED ON GALLOWS: Evidently Esther had learned of a plot in Susa to attack the Jews on Adar 14. The purpose of hanging the bodies of Haman’s 10 executed sons on the gallows was to disgrace them and to discourage other enemies of the Jews from attacking them (cp Deu 21:22,23; Num 25:4; 1Sa 31:8-12; 2Sa 21:6; Num 16:27,32,33; Jos 7:24,25).

BUT THEY DID NOT LAY THEIR HANDS ON THE PLUNDER: …Even though they had been given permission to do so (Est 8:11). As in vv 15,16 also. To illustrate that their interest was not in material gain (as was Haman’s: Est 3:9,11,13 — and Saul’s: 1Sa 15:3,19!), but merely in preserving their lives and showing forth the glory of the God of Israel.

The deliberate decision not to enrich themselves at the expense of their enemies would not go unnoticed in a culture where victors were expected to take the spoil. The very novelty of such self-denial would be remarked upon and remembered, and taken as proof of the upright motives of the Jewish communities.

Cp the example of Abraham, who after winning a battle and being offered spoils by the king of Sodom, protested: “I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the thong of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich’ ” (Gen 14:23).

Est 9:13

It is right that those who act against His people should be removed and that this removal should be public and witnessed.

Est 9:15

BUT THEY DID NOT LAY THEIR HANDS ON THE PLUNDER: See v 10n.

Est 9:16

BUT DID NOT LAY THEIR HANDS ON THE PLUNDER: See v 10n.

Est 9:17

Four banquets in Esther: Vashti’s deposing (Est 1:3); Esther’s coronation (Est 2:18); Esther’s petition (Est 5:4,8); and the Jews’ celebration (Est 9:17).

Est 9:22

WHEN THEIR SORROW WAS TURNED INTO JOY: This is the keynote of the Feast of Purim, and of Yahweh’s purpose with the Jews (Spa 126; Isa 35:10; 60:16; 66:5).

Est 9:26

THEREFORE THESE DAYS WERE CALLED PURIM, FROM THE WORD PUR: “Purim” is the plural form of the Persian word “pur”, meaning the “lot” (cp Est 3:7; nsw Heb word for “lot”). The name “Purim” became a symbolic reminder to the Jews of how God used circumstances, specifically casting the lot (cp Est 3:7), to deliver them in 473 BC.

Est 9:27

THE JEWS TOOK IT UPON THEMSELVES TO ESTABLISH THE CUSTOM THAT THEY AND THEIR DESCENDANTS AND ALL WHO JOIN THEM SHOULD WITHOUT FAIL OBSERVE THESE TWO DAYS EVERY YEARS, IN THE WAY PRESCRIBED AND AT THE TIME APPOINTED: Evidently Mordecai issued the decree establishing the Feast of Purim some time after the slaying of the Jews’ enemies (v 20). His proclamation united the two days on which the Jews had defended themselves (Adar 13 and 14) into one holiday. During the inter-testamental period the Jews called Adar 14 “Mordecai Day” (2Ma 15:36, RSV), but they discarded this special designation later. Modern Jews celebrate Purim on the evening of Adar 14 (March 8). It is their most festive and popular holiday.

To this very day the Jews keep the feast of Purim and celebrate the deliverance from Haman’s wicked devices. This parallels the deliverance from Egypt in that the nation was delivered from one who wanted to wipe them out from being a nation. In a similar way Hitler tried to annihilate the Jews — and failed. Whilst these might seem to be natural deliverances we should, on thinking of them, truly appreciate that God will not cast off His people and will not break His covenant with the seed of Abraham.

Est 9:29

QUEEN ESTHER… ALONG WITH MORDECAI THE JEW, WROTE WITH FULL AUTHORITY TO CONFIRM THIS SECOND LETTER CONCERNING PURIM: Probably Esther sent her decree confirming Mordecai’s previous declaration of the official Jewish holiday (vv 20,21) to encourage its firm establishment. Her letter evidently began, “Words of peace and truth” (v 30). There was probably considerable resistance within the conservative Jewish community to adding another national festival to those prescribed in the Torah.

Neh 12:1

Vv 1-9: The priests and Levites who returned with Zerubbabel. The priests and Levites were the most important people who returned from exile because they reestablished worship in the land. Vv 1-7 give the names of 22 leaders among them who had returned in 537 BC with Zerubbabel and Jeshua (cf 1Ch 24:7-19). The writer also mentioned eight Levites by name (vv 8,9; cf Ezra 2:40-42).

Neh 12:10

Vv 10,11: The genealogy of the high priest was especially important. Five succeeding descendants of Jeshua appear in the text (vv. 10-11). This list continues the one in 1Ch 6:3-15 that ends with the Babylonian exile in 586 BC.

Neh 12:12

Vv 12-21: The priestly courses. There had been 24 courses established by David (1Ch 24:1-18).

Neh 12:22

Vv 22-26: Records of the leading priests and Levites. The names of the heads of the nine Levitical families Nehemiah referred to in v 22 appear in vv 24-26. The four high priests he mentioned in v 22 evidently registered these names.

DARIUS THE PERSIAN: Probably Darius II (423-404 BC).

Neh 12:23

THE BOOK OF THE ANNALS: The “Book of the Chronicles” is not the canonical Book of Chronicles but another record of names.

Neh 12:27

Vv 27-43: Procession and dedication service. One large choir mounted the city wall and walked around it counterclockwise, evidently beginning at the Valley Gate (vv 31-37). Another choir mounted it, probably at the same place, and proceeded in a clockwise direction (vv 38,39). They appear to have sung as they walked (v 42). They met at the temple (vv 40-42). There the priests offered many sacrifices and the people rejoiced greatly (v 43). This was the same wall that Tobiah had earlier claimed would be so weak that even a fox walking on it would break it down (Neh 4:3)!

The final consummation of Nehemiah’s work had been reached. The city was protected by a wall and could resist any attempt of the neighboring nations to attack it. This was one of the main reasons for the joy. The other was that the people had demonstrated that they could perform a major task as a unit, and this proved to be a great stimulus to their morale.

SONGS OF THANKSGIVING: Which probably included Psa 48; 122; 127; 147; 150.

Neh 12:28

THE SINGERS ALSO WERE BROUGHT TOGETHER FROM THE REGION AROUND JERUSALEM: So as to have ready access to the Temple.

Neh 12:30

WHEN THE PRIESTS AND LEVITES HAD PURIFIED THEMSELVES CEREMONIALLY, THEY PURIFIED THE PEOPLE, THE GATES AND THE WALL: Probably with water (Exo 19:10; 2Ch 29:5,15), by sprinkling (Num 13:19). Even inanimate objects could contract defilement (Lev 14:34-53; Num 19:10,15).

Neh 12:44

Vv 44-47: Terms of the covenant implemented. Nehemiah also reestablished the temple service as David had organized it (vv 44-47). Thus he did for the second temple what David had done for the first temple.

Neh 13:1

Neh 13: “At the end of Neh 12 Nehemiah had to report back to the court of Persia [v 6] concerning his ministry amongst his people. In that he was a remarkable type of the Lord Jesus. During his absence, deterioration had set in to the Brotherhood. The aged Ezra was absent or had died. The warning voice of Malachi had been heard, but little attention given to it. Marriage principles had been neglected, and terrible compromise had set in, so much so that the enemy Tobiah now occupied part of the temple premises! The ecclesia had become entangled with the world. After about twelve years, Nehemiah returned. He found a terrible apostasy had set in, and with customary vigour set about to cleanse the people. He first ordered a separation of the mixed multitude (vv 1-3). Then began a vigorous rebuke of Eliashib the priest, and Tobiah the apostate (vv 4-7). The temple chambers were cleansed (vv 8,9). Tithes and worship was restored (vv 10-12). Faithful officials were ordained (vv 13,14). Sabbath keeping was purified (vv 15-18). The gates of Jerusalem were closed against material activities (v 19). Nehemiah rebuked all those who traded on the sabbath (vv 20,21). Levites were appointed to guard the city gates (v 22). Mixed marriages were severely rebuked (vv 23-27). The son of Joiada was expelled from Jerusalem (v 28). Nehemiah’s final prayer: an offering to Yahweh (vv 29-31). Typically, the millennium of pure royalty was revealed, and the Laodicean spirit was removed” (GEM).

Notice the similarities between the prophecy of Malachi and Neh 13. Malachi was the “messenger of the covenant” (Mal 3:1) [“Malachi” means “my covenant”!] — who had reported to Nehemiah that the Jews in Jerusalem had forgotten the “covenant” (Neh 10:29-39) they had made with him, and with God:

Neh 10:1

Neh 10: After Ezra’s prayer on behalf of the nation, in Neh 9, the people were prepared to seal the covenant with Yahweh, and to dedicate themselves to His service. Four groups sealed the covenants, presumably as representatives of the whole of the nation: (1) The governor: v 1; (2) the priests (the heads of 21 priestly families): vv 2-8; (3) the Levites (17 mentioned): vv 9-13; and (4) and the chief of the people (44 heads of other leading families): vv 14-27.

The phrases “house of our God” and “house of Yahweh” occur nine times in this chapter, emphasizing the importance of the work. The Levitical tithe (v 37) was apparently stored in some neighbouring Levitical city of Jerusalem. It was important to sustain the work of the restoration and development of the congregation by the donations from the people. The tithes that the Levites gave to the priests were of the tithes they received from the people (v 38). Thus was the work of Yahweh supported, and identified with the people.

“Neh 10 lists the names of those who, in response to the realisation of their sinfulness, put their names to the covenant promising to keep the law. Notice that Nehemiah is the first one who put his name to the covenant — even though he had not sinned like the rest of the people… It would be so easy to stand aside from such a signing on the basis that one had not done anything wrong; however, Nehemiah signs first to mark his willingness to be involved with the people and to set an example” (PF).

“The summary of these two chapters goes like this: ‘You are a great God who has done awesome things for us and our ancestors. But we have sinned against You and You were angry with us, but in Your mercy You have brought us back. Now we promise to reform our ways and put you first in our lives again. From now on we will do only the things that please You.’ Do we say prayers like that? When we originally began our new life in Christ we probably prayed a similar prayer of praise, repentance and reformation. The question we need to ask ourselves is: how long did it last? Maybe you are one of those really good people who made the commitment once and have never looked back — because you have stayed committed all the way through. Or maybe you are more like me, who find that we gradually get off track and need to have a big reform sometimes. Or maybe you are the type of person who has consciously reform for God every week or every day. For those of us in the last two groups, we need to work on our long-term commitment and keeping the promises we made consistently. But in all that, remember that God is still willing to forgive when we truly turn back to him” (RP).

Why is Ezra not mentioned as sealing the covenant? Probably because he was officiating at the ceremony — in the place of the High Priest and as the representative of God Himself.

Why is Eliashib the High Priest not mentioned? Probably because he had turned away from Nehemiah’s party. Were Eliashib and his followers responsible for the apostasy of Neh 13? See Neh 3:1n.

THOSE WHO SEALED IT: That is, the covenant first mentioned in Neh 9:38.

Neh 10:28

TEMPLE SERVANTS: Or “Nethinim” (AV). They are said specifically to be those “whom David and the princes had appointed for the service of the Levites” (Ezr 8:20), thus indicating both their realm of activity and their historical origin. In most of the occurrences they are listed with and after the Levites (cf 1Ch 9:2; Ezr 7:7; Neh 7:73). Because of this reference to the activity of David and their being joined with Solomon’s servants (Ezr 2:58; Neh 7:60; cf 1Ki 9:21) and the foreign names that they bear, it has been thought that they were foreigners, mostly captives of war, put into this service. For example, Mehunim (Ezr 2:50; Neh 7:52) may refer to those overcome by Uzziah (2Ch 26:7). Nephusim (Ezr 2:50; Neh 7:52) may refer to the Hagarite clan of Naphish (Gen 25:15; 1Ch 5:19). Because of the similarity of duty, some have sought their background in the Gibeonites, “hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God” (Jos 9:23,27) and also in the Midianites (Num 31:30,47). The correlation is probably no more than that of similarity of service, not direct relationship. Whatever may be the roots of their origin, they were treated as part of the people of God, at least as proselytes (Neh 10:28…). They are mentioned by name in the OT in post-Exilic times. From Babylon 612 returned, 392 with Zerubbabel (Ezr 2:58: Neh 7:60) a count which includes “the children of Solomon’s servants”) and 220 with Ezra (Ezr 8:20) as “ministers for the house of our God” from the place Casiphia (Ezr 8:17) “in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king (Ezr 7:7). Like other sacred ministers, they were exempted from taxation (Ezr 7:24).

Neh 10:29

AND BIND THEMSELVES WITH A CURSE: Submission to the curse that God promised would come on those who did not keep His Word (Deu 28:15-68).

Neh 10:30

Marriage with the alien forbidden.

Neh 10:31

Observance of the Sabbath: cp Exo 20:10; Isa 58:13,14.

ANY HOLY DAY: Special feast days: Exo 12:16; Lev 16:29.

EVERY SEVENTH YEAR WE WILL FORGO WORKING THE LAND AND WILL CANCEL ALL DEBTS: Exo 23:10,11; Lev 25:2-7.

Neh 10:32

THE COMMANDMENT TO GIVE A THIRD OF A SHEKEL EACH YEAR FOR THE SERVICE OF THE HOUSE OF THE LORD: The Law had originally required 1/2 shekel (Exo 30:11-16). Perhaps this is additional, or perhaps the original 1/2 shekel was not necessarily continued for every year. Or perhaps the annual levy was reduced because the people were poor.

Neh 10:34

CAST LOTS: See 1Ch 24:5,7; 25:8,9; 26:13; Pro 18:18; Josh 14:1,2; Luke 1:9.

A CONTRIBUTION OF WOOD: Required for the burning of the sacrifices.

Neh 10:38

THE LEVITES ARE TO BRING A TENTH OF THE TITHES: The provision which the Levites gave to the priests: 10% of 10%, or 1% (Num 18:26-28).

Neh 11:1

Vv 1,2: Repopulation of the city. When the exiles returned to the Promised Land, living in Jerusalem was not an attractive prospect because the city lay in ruins. However, with the rebuilding of the temple and the walls, the capital became a more desirable place to live. Nehemiah as governor saw the wisdom of populating Jerusalem with pure-blooded Jews, and set about to encourage the people to live within the city walls. Some citizens of Jerusalem were chosen by lot (v 1), while others volunteered to move there (v 2).

After the resettlement, the population of the city itself would have been between 5,000 and 10,000.

Neh 11:2

THE PEOPLE COMMENDED ALL THE MEN WHO VOLUNTEERED TO LIVE IN JERUSALEM: “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2Co 9:7; cp Jdg 5:9; 2Co 8:16,17).

Neh 11:3

Vv 3-36: The census of those who settled in Jerusalem.

TEMPLE SERVANTS: Or “Nethinim” (AV). They are said specifically to be those “whom David and the princes had appointed for the service of the Levites” (Ezr 8:20), thus indicating both their realm of activity and their historical origin. In most of the occurrences they are listed with and after the Levites (cf 1Ch 9:2; Ezr 7:7; Neh 7:73). Because of this reference to the activity of David and their being joined with Solomon’s servants (Ezr 2:58; Neh 7:60; cf 1Ki 9:21) and the foreign names that they bear, it has been thought that they were foreigners, mostly captives of war, put into this service. For example, Mehunim (Ezr 2:50; Neh 7:52) may refer to those overcome by Uzziah (2Ch 26:7). Nephusim (Ezr 2:50; Neh 7:52) may refer to the Hagarite clan of Naphish (Gen 25:15; 1Ch 5:19). Because of the similarity of duty, some have sought their background in the Gibeonites, “hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God” (Jos 9:23,27) and also in the Midianites (Num 31:30,47). The correlation is probably no more than that of similarity of service, not direct relationship. Whatever may be the roots of their origin, they were treated as part of the people of God, at least as proselytes (Neh 10:28…). They are mentioned by name in the OT in post-Exilic times. From Babylon 612 returned, 392 with Zerubbabel (Ezr 2:58: Neh 7:60) a count which includes “the children of Solomon’s servants”) and 220 with Ezra (Ezr 8:20) as “ministers for the house of our God” from the place Casiphia (Ezr 8:17) “in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king (Ezr 7:7). Like other sacred ministers, they were exempted from taxation (Ezr 7:24).

Neh 11:4

Vv 4-6: The children of Judah.

Neh 11:7

Vv 7-9: The children of Benjamin.

Neh 11:10

Vv 10-14: The priests.

Neh 11:15

Vv 15-18: The Levites.

Neh 11:19

Vv 19-24: The gatekeepers, temple servants, the singers, etc.

Neh 11:25

Vv 25-30: The villages of Judah. Many of these were south of Jerusalem, probably dominated by Edomites.

Neh 11:31

Vv 31-36: The villages of Benjamin. Some were located in areas of Samaritan domination.

Neh 4:1

Neh 4: Arab opposition. Cp Arab nations, who opposed the rebuilding of Israel today: ie, Psa 83. The Jews’ enemies used ridicule (vv 1-6) as well as armed resistance (v 8) to oppose the work.

Neh 4:2

FEEBLE: The Hebrew root “amelal” — used here to ridicule the Jews — is occasionally used in the OT to denote the fading or withering of a plant (Isa 16:8; 24:7; etc). It is also used of people without any hope (Isa 19:8; Hos 4:3).

THOSE HEAPS OF RUBBLE — BURNED AS THEY ARE: These were the remains of the very fires set by Nebuchadnezzar’s army, during the sack of Jerusalem over 100 years before (2Ch 36:19). The Jews built with the rubble of the previous walls.

Neh 4:4

THEIR INSULTS: Not so much their insults of the Jews, but their (implied) insults of God Himself, and their demeaning of His purpose with Israel.

Neh 4:5

A cry to Yahweh, to take vengeance. This is His work, not the work of Nehemiah or other believers (cf Deut 32:35; Rom 12:19). Cp Psa 139:19-24.

Neh 4:6

FOR THE PEOPLE WORKED WITH ALL THEIR HEART: ” ‘The people had a mind to work.’ [Neh 4:6, KJV] When that is condensed into one word, it spells cooperation. The same idea was expressed by the apostles in such terms as ‘one mind’, ‘like-minded’, and ‘with one accord’. This thought should impress us deeply, because it is the only way possible for an ecclesia to succeed.

“If we do not work together, our love will grow cold; bitterness and evil speaking will be generated, and if this is augmented by the continual agitation of some crotchet which has been developed by our desire to have our own way, the foundations of our ecclesia will disintegrate and the whole structure will collapse. We must be on our guard at all times, and examine our purpose and motives….” (GAG, Ber 59:354).

Neh 4:7

THE MEN OF ASHDOD: Whose language the children of the alien marriages spoke (Neh 13:23-25).

Neh 4:8

THEY ALL PLOTTED TOGETHER: “Why do the nations conspire [LXX ‘rage’] and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One” (Psa 2:1,2). Josephus wrote of this time that “they slew many Jews” (Ant 11.5.8).

Neh 4:9

WE PRAYED TO OUR GOD AND POSTED A GUARD: “Watch AND pray” (Mat 26:41; Mar 14:38; Luk 21:36). We must be “God’s fellow workers” (2Co 6:1): neither doing everything ourselves nor expecting God to do everything for us.

“Nehemiah was sent to Jerusalem by the king to with the authority to rebuild the wall. He is vehemently opposed by two individuals, Sanballat and Tobiah, and their cronies. The returning Israelites are forced to complete their work in odd fashion — half of them work while half of them stand guard.

“Perhaps you have struggled with the balance between faith and practical action. When faced with a situation, do we take immediate action or wait for an answer to our prayers?

“The amazing thing about this little verse is how practical it is for all of us. We all face Sanballats and Tobiahs in life. We are trying to do the best we can and for every block we built on the wall, they tear two down. We are faced with the question of what we are to do about it. We can determine ourselves to work twice as hard. We can sit back and pray that God will provide and answer. Nehemiah provides us with a little key that it might not be one or the other, but both.

“So many times when faced with life’s adversity, we will try to overcome with our own strength. We don’t necessarily seek the Lord’s guidance in our endeavor, but depend on ourselves or others. On the other hand, we may be tempted to wash our hands completely of the whole thing and simply ask God to fix everything.

“Nehemiah didn’t do just one, but both. He prayed and asked God’s guidance and then acted. His actions were not impetuous or prideful, but an act of faith. We recall that the ‘faith’ chapter of Heb 11 is not just men and women who sat around, but people of action. Abel offered. Noah prepared an ark. Abraham obeyed and went out. Sarah conceived. Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter and forsook Egypt. Rahab received the spies. Their faith in God could not be confined to the mind alone.

“It would benefit us all to pray to God and post a guard. Ask God for the strength, guidance and blessing of success in whatsoever we put our hands to do and then get to work” (KT).

Neh 4:10

THERE IS SO MUCH RUBBLE THAT WE CANNOT REBUILD THE WALL: We must clear away the “rubble” of our lives before we can truly begin to build God’s “city”!

Neh 4:11

ALSO OUR ENEMIES SAID…: We should never quote the enemy! They seek only to undermine and destroy our faith.

Neh 4:13

THEREFORE I STATIONED…: Nehemiah gets personally involved in organizing the defense of the city.

Neh 4:14

“Many a lesser disciple would have thrown up his hands in despair and headed for the comforts of the Persian palace” (HAW).

I STOOD UP AND SAID TO THE NOBLES, THE OFFICIALS AND THE REST OF THE PEOPLE…: Nehemiah — though a layman — assumes the responsibility of the priests, in exhorting the armies of the LORD before they go into battle (Deu 20:1-4).

DON’T BE AFRAID OF THEM. REMEMBER THE LORD: ‘Just ask yourselves, “Are THEY stronger than the God of Israel?” ‘

WHO IS GREAT AND AWESOME: Cp Neh 1:5.

Neh 4:16

MY MEN: Prob Nehemiah’s personal servants — now organized into a special military unit.

Neh 4:19

WE ARE WIDELY SEPARATED FROM EACH OTHER ALONG THE WALL: As the brothers and sisters today may be widely separated from one another, and forced to exist spiritually in near or total isolation.

Neh 4:20

OUR GOD WILL FIGHT FOR US!: In citing Exo 14:14, they were seeing their work as analogous to the escape from slavery in Egypt.

Neh 4:22

HAVE EVERY MAN AND HIS HELPER STAY INSIDE JERUSALEM AT NIGHT: This would also stop the intrigue of the disaffected, who might go back and forth and consort with the enemy.

Neh 4:23

“I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked” (2Co 11:27). “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2Ti 2:3).

Neh 5:1

Vv 1-13: Exploitation of the poor by the wealthy nobles. Cp Jam 5:1-4: “Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.”

Neh 5:3

WE ARE MORTGAGING OUR FIELDS, OUR VINEYARDS AND OUR HOMES TO GET GRAIN DURING THE FAMINE: “You are under a curse — the whole nation of you — because you are robbing me” (Mal 3:9).

Neh 5:7

I PONDERED THEM IN MY MIND: Notice that Nehemiah consults no other counselors.

ACCUSED: KJV has “rebuked”, but the word sig “to bring FORMAL charges against” (cp RSV). “Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning” (1Ti 5:20).

THE NOBLES AND OFFICIALS: “Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly” (Lev 19:15).

YOU ARE EXACTING USURY FROM YOUR OWN COUNTRYMEN: Expecting repayment with usury of the people of the Lord was against the law of Moses (Exo 22:25; Lev 25:36, Deu 15:2,3; 23:19,20; 24:10-13, Psa 15:1,5, Eze 22:12; 45:9). It was also contrary to Christ’s law (Luke 6:35).

Neh 5:8

WE HAVE BOUGHT BACK OUR JEWISH BROTHERS WHO WERE SOLD TO THE GENTILES. NOW YOU ARE SELLING YOUR BROTHERS…: The Mosaic Law forbade Israelites from charging interest when they made loans to fellow Jews (Exo 22:25; Lev 25:35-38). Evidently Nehemiah and some of his fellow Jews had paid money to certain Gentiles in Babylonia who owned Jewish slaves to liberate those Israelites so they could return to Judah. How inconsistent it was then for the Jews in Jerusalem to “enslave” them again!

Do we save men from the Gentiles, only to so mistreat and abuse them, that they are lost to us again? “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are” (Mat 23:15).

Neh 5:10

I AN MY BROTHERS AND MY MEN ARE ALSO LENDING THE PEOPLE MONEY AND GRAIN. BUT LET THE EXACTING OF USURY STOP!: Nehemiah himself seems to have made loans to the poorer Jews in Judah, though he did not say he charged them interest. Now he called for a stop not only to usury (exorbitant interest) but also — apparently — to any interest whatsoever. He believed the “haves” should give, not lend, to the “have nots” out of love for God and their brethren.

Neh 5:11

THE HUNDREDTH PART OF THE MONEY…: An interest rate of 1% per month, or 12% per year.

Neh 5:12

THEN I SUMMONED THE PRIESTS: Witnesses to oversee the agreement.

Neh 5:13

THE FOLDS OF MY ROBE: The “bosom” (cp Isa 49:22), where a parent carries a small child.

Neh 5:14

NEITHER I NOR MY BROTHERS ATE THE FOOD ALLOTTED TO THE GOVERNOR: This provision would have been Nehemiah’s by right and law, since he was the royally-appointed governor of the land. Note the comparison between Nehemiah and Paul (1Co 9): both had the right to be supported by their brethren, but neither exercised that right. It was Paul who wrote, “And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so” (2Co 11:9). Notice that Paul, like Nehemiah, had personal enemies who sought to harm him.

Neh 5:16

WE DID NOT ACQUIRE ANY LAND: The wealthy nobles were probably “speculating”, that is, buying up land cheap because of the famine conditions.

Neh 5:17

A HUNDRED AND FIFTY JEWS AND OFFICIALS ATE AT MY TABLE, AS WELL AS THOSE WHO CAME TO US FROM THE SURROUNDING NATIONS: Nehemiah kept an “open house”, at his own personal expense. In all his work, and his generosity, and his support of others, Nehemiah showed beforehand the work and attitude of the apostle Paul. Consider the following passages: (a) “Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality” (Rom 12:13). (b) “Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches” (2Co 11:28). (c) “I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’ ” (Acts 20:33-35). (d) “Nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you” (2Th 3:8).

Neh 5:19

REMEMBER ME WITH FAVOR, O MY GOD, FOR ALL I HAVE DONE FOR THESE PEOPLE: “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them” (Heb 6:10). God has promised to bless those who put Him first (Deu 28:1-14; cf Mat 6:33; Mar 10:29,30). Nehemiah’s asking of God’s favor is not so much a plea for a reward as an emphatic way of claiming that he has acted in good faith and from right motives. It is a statement of confidence that God is judge, and will judges favorably those who sincerely seek to do His will.

Neh 6:1

Neh 6: Three strategies to destroy the effectiveness of spiritual leaders: intrigue, innuendo, and intimidation.

Neh 6:2

COME, LET US MEET TOGETHER IN ONE OF THE VILLAGES ON THE PLAIN OF ONO: A city rebuilt along with Lod (Lydda) by Shamed a Benjamite (1Ch 8:12). After the Exile its Jewish inhabitants, together with those of Lod and Hadid, numbered about 725 persons (Ezr 2:33; Neh 7:37). It is probably the same as “the valley of craftsmen” (Neh 11:35). It is generally identified with modern Kefr Ana, which lies nw of Lydda.

If Nehemiah had accepted this invitation he would have been many miles from Jerusalem for at least two days. This would have separated him from his protectors at Jerusalem, and given the people of the land opportunity to attack the Jewish workmen he had left behind.

TO HARM ME: KJV has “to do me mischief”, but in modern terms this is far too weak. Cp v 10: “to kill you”.

Neh 6:3

I AM CARRYING ON A GREAT PROJECT AND CANNOT COME DOWN: If only we could respond as nobly and wholeheartedly as Nehemiah does, when we are tempted to play the fool or dabble in the silly affairs of the world around us!

Neh 6:4

FOUR TIMES THEY SENT ME THE SAME MESSAGE, AND EACH TIME I GAVE THEM THE SAME ANSWER: Nehemiah refuses to be pressured!

Neh 6:5

IN HIS HAND WAS AN UNSEALED LETTER: Contrary to all etiquette and courtesy, a calculated insult, an expression of utter contempt.

Neh 6:6

THAT YOU AND THE JEWS ARE PLOTTING TO REVOLT: Cp Ezr 4:12-16; Luk 23:2.

Neh 6:7

AND HAVE EVEN APPOINTED PROPHETS: This is exactly what his enemies had done, setting up false prophets (vv 12,13).

NOW THIS REPORT WILL GET BACK TO THE KING; SO COME, LET US CONFER TOGETHER: Either you come to terms with us, or your ‘treason’ will be reported to the king!’ A heavy-handed threat.

Neh 6:8

YOU ARE JUST MAKING IT UP OUT OF YOUR HEAD: “You are inventing them” (RSV).

Neh 6:9

NOW STRENGTHEN MY HANDS: Cp Psa 56:1-4. “As the wall neared completion the enemies of the Jews got more and more desperate to stop the work. We read that ‘they were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hand will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.” ‘ But Nehemiah prayed a short and specific prayer for the time, ‘Now strengthen my hands.’ God answered his prayer and strengthened both his hands and the hands of those that were working on the wall. It was completed in record time. From start to finish they took only 52 days. Nehemiah gives all the credit for this to God.

“There have been times in my life when I have been doing the Lord’s work, when the task and the opposition have seemed too great to carry on. In the end God has always seen me through it — but I wish I had thought of praying this prayer, ‘Now strengthen my hands.’ Maybe next time I will remember. But there are times like this in the life of every believer — if not yet, know that it will come. Remember this prayer at that time, ‘Now strengthen my hands,’ and then get on with the work God has given us to complete” (RP).

Neh 6:10

BY NIGHT THEY ARE COMING: Because their deeds are evil, and they are afraid of the light of day (cp Joh 3:19,20).

Neh 6:11

OR SHOULD ONE LIKE ME GO INTO THE TEMPLE TO SAVE HIS LIFE?: At any rate, the Mosaic Law prohibited anyone but priests from entering the holy and the most holy places in the temple (Num 1:51; 3:10; 18:7).

“The opposition to the rebuilding of the wall was so great that the enemies of the Jews, as they got more and more desperate, tried every trick in the book to stop Nehemiah and the rest of the Jews from building. Nehemiah was tested in almost every way possible as they tried to get him off the job into a place where they could kill him. They invited him to deserted places to ‘talk’, and sent letters to him accusing him of traitorous motivation, and they even stooped to making someone Nehemiah should have trusted give him bad advice.

“So how did Nehemiah manage to avoid all these temptations and resist being led from the job? I believe there were two things that helped. Firstly, the fact that Nehemiah had an aim, was totally determined to do the job that God had set him, and would not be distracted until the work was completed helped him to avoid the temptation. And secondly, Nehemiah was equally determined not to sin. So when instructions or suggestions came telling him to do something that was wrong, he knew straight away that it was not from God.

“So let us also be so dedicated, involved and determined not to sin that nothing will distract us from doing the work of God” (RP).

Neh 6:12

I REALIZED THAT GOD HAD NOT SENT HIM: “By their fruits you shall know them” (Mat 7:15-20). The criteria for evaluating a prophet’s claims: Deu 13:1-4; Eze 13:22; Jer 23:16. Nehemiah saw through this “prophecy”: it could not have been from God since it counseled disobedience to the Mosaic Law.

Neh 6:13

TO DISCREDIT ME: This is possibly the action of the aggrieved nobles, who had suffered financial loss because of Nehemiah (Neh 5).

Neh 6:15

ELUL: Late August/early September. The same month in which Nebuchadnezzar had destroyed the walls in the first place: 2Ki 25:8-10.

Neh 6:16

ALL THE SURROUNDING NATIONS: See Lesson, Nations “round about”.

THEY REALIZED THAT THIS WORK HAD BEEN DONE WITH THE HELP OF OUR GOD: “Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain” (Psa 127:1).

Neh 6:17

Vv 17-19: This treason was brought about by alien marriage (cp Ezr 9:2; Neh 13:23). Thus the ties of the flesh superseded “ecclesial” ties.

Neh 6:19

THEY KEPT REPORTING TO ME HIS GOOD DEEDS: “Those who forsake the law praise the wicked” (Pro 28:4).

Neh 7:1

Neh 7: “Nehemiah not only directed the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem; he also set out to rebuild the nation and to strengthen its morality. His work does not cease with the building, but he was careful to follow up with regulations that were calculated to help the development of the nation. How important that example! So he [1] set out security regulations: vv 1-4. [2] The population problem considered: vv 5-73.

“Nehemiah undertook his labours on behalf of Yahweh. He recognised the importance of determining who were the true seed of Israel, for it was to this end that careful genealogies were kept. How otherwise would it be established that Jesus was of the lineage of David? So he set out the register of those who had come from Babylon with Zerubbabel. Nehemiah used it as a basis of comparison for the census he plans to undertake. We might spend less time reading such a chapter, or avoid the difficult names, but we should remember that if our name were included, how delighted we would be to have everyone read the chapter!” (GEM).

AFTER THE WALL HAD BEEN REBUILT AND I HAD SET THE DOORS IN PLACE, THE GATEKEEPERS AND THE SINGERS AND THE LEVITES WERE APPOINTED: Having finished the walls Nehemiah took steps to insure that the city would remain secure by appointing guards; now temple worship could flourish. The gatekeepers usually guarded the temple entrance, but Nehemiah posted them at the city gates because of the imminent danger there.

Neh 7:2

MY BROTHER HANANI, ALONG WITH HANANIAH…: Or possibly, “Hanani, that is, Hananiah” — being two names for the same person.

HE WAS A MAN OF INTEGRITY: Examples of faithfulness in service: Samuel (1Sa 3:20); David (1Sa 22:14); the temple overseers (2Ki 12:15); the workers (2Ch 34:12); Hananiah (Neh 7:2); Abraham (Neh 9:8); the treasurers (Neh 13:13); Daniel (Dan 6:4); Timothy (1Co 4:17); Epaphras (Col 1:7); Tychicus (Col 4:7); Onesimus (Col 4:9); Paul (1Ti 1:12); Moses (Heb 3:2,5); Gaius (3Jo 1:5); Jesus Christ (Rev 1:5); Antipas (Rev 2:13).

Cp Luk 16:10; 2Ch 31:12.

Neh 7:3

THE GATES OF JERUSALEM ARE NOT TO BE OPENED UNTIL THE SUN IS HOT. WHILE THE GATEKEEPERS ARE STILL ON DUTY, HAVE THEM SHUT THE DOORS AND BAR THEM: To minimize the threat of potential invaders, Nehemiah ordered that the gates of Jerusalem be open only during the busiest hours of the day.

Neh 7:4

BUT THERE WERE FEW PEOPLE IN IT: Many of the builders had been “commuters”! People had not been living in Jerusalem because it was vulnerable to attack; the small population rendered it more vulnerable than it would have been with the city full of people. Nehemiah later proposed a plan that would increase the population and consequently the security of Jerusalem (Neh 11:1,2).

Neh 7:5

Vv 5-73: The record of those who returned. This is not a list of the people who accompanied Nehemiah to Jerusalem in 444 BC, but a record of those who returned with Sheshbazzar (Zerubbabel) and Jeshua in 537 BC (v 7). It is almost identical to the list in Ezra 2.

Why did Nehemiah repeat this list? Apparently he wanted to encourage the Jews to move into Jerusalem (cp Neh 11:1,2), this being one of the goals of the return. To determine who were pure-blooded Israelites, he did some research and uncovered this list. He then used it as the basis for his plan (cf Neh 11:1-24).

The repetition of this list also confirms God’s faithfulness in preserving His chosen people, and God’s loyal love in bringing them back into the land that He promised to give their ancestors. It is a second witness to His faithfulness and love, the first list being the first witness. (The Nehemiah of v 7 is therefore not Nehemiah the wall-builder: cf Ezra 2:2.)

The total number who returned was 49,942 (vv 66,67; Ezra 2:64,65). However the sum of the individuals the writer mentioned in this chapter is 31,089 (and 29,818 in Ezra 2).

Vv 5-38: The register of returned exiles (25,406).

THE FIRST TO RETURN: That is, with Zerubbabel (Ezr 2:1).

Neh 7:39

Vv 39-42: The register of the priests (4,289).

Neh 7:43

Vv 43-45: The register of the Levites (360).

Neh 7:46

Vv 46-56: The register of the temple servants (392) (see v 60).

TEMPLE SERVANTS: Or “Nethinim” (AV). They are said specifically to be those “whom David and the princes had appointed for the service of the Levites” (Ezr 8:20), thus indicating both their realm of activity and their historical origin. In most of the occurrences they are listed with and after the Levites (cf 1Ch 9:2; Ezr 7:7; Neh 7:73). Because of this reference to the activity of David and their being joined with Solomon’s servants (Ezr 2:58; Neh 7:60; cf 1Ki 9:21) and the foreign names that they bear, it has been thought that they were foreigners, mostly captives of war, put into this service. For example, Mehunim (Ezr 2:50; Neh 7:52) may refer to those overcome by Uzziah (2Ch 26:7). Nephusim (Ezr 2:50; Neh 7:52) may refer to the Hagarite clan of Naphish (Gen 25:15; 1Ch 5:19). Because of the similarity of duty, some have sought their background in the Gibeonites, “hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God” (Jos 9:23,27) and also in the Midianites (Num 31:30,47). The correlation is probably no more than that of similarity of service, not direct relationship. Whatever may be the roots of their origin, they were treated as part of the people of God, at least as proselytes (Neh 10:28…). They are mentioned by name in the OT in post-Exilic times. From Babylon 612 returned, 392 with Zerubbabel (Ezr 2:58: Neh 7:60) a count which includes “the children of Solomon’s servants”) and 220 with Ezra (Ezr 8:20) as “ministers for the house of our God” from the place Casiphia (Ezr 8:17) “in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king (Ezr 7:7). Like other sacred ministers, they were exempted from taxation (Ezr 7:24).

Neh 7:57

Vv 57-60: The sons of Solomon’s servants. These appear to be a subset of all the “temple servants” (vv 46-56), and the total of both classes seems to have been 392 (v 60).

Neh 7:61

Vv 61-64: Priests with unproven descent (642).

Neh 7:65

THE GOVERNOR: “Tirshatha” in KJV. Lit “the fear, or reverence”. A title given to Zerubbabel (Ezr 2:63), and now to Nehemiah.

THE SACRED FOOD: “The most holy food” (RSV). That is, the tithes for the priests (Neh 10:32-39).

UNTIL THERE SHOULD BE A PRIEST MINISTERING WITH THE URIM AND THUMMIM: That is, until a definitive answer from Yahweh could be obtained, as to the lineage of all the priests. For Urim and Thummim, see Lev 8:8; Num 27:21; 1Sa 14:41; 23:3; 30:7; 2Sa 2:1.

Neh 7:66

THE WHOLE COMPANY NUMBERED 42,360: A reconciliation of Ezra’s numbers (Ezr 2:64) with Nehemiah’s numbers (Neh 7:66): * The totals in Ezra: Men of Israel: 24,144; priests: 4,289; Levites, singers, etc: 341; temple servants 392; men of unproven origin: 652. Total of 29,818. * The totals in Nehemiah: 25,406 (vv 5-38) + 4,289 (vv 39-42) + 360 (vv 43-45) + 392 (vv 46-60) + 642 (vv 61,62) = 31,089. * Ezra: 29,818 (from Ezr 2), plus 1,765 (others, in Neh) = 31,583. * Nehemiah: 31,089 (from totals of Neh 7), plus 494 (others, in Ezr) = 31,583. * The 31,583, plus 10,777 (possibly from other ten tribes) = 42,360 (the total congregation: cp Ezr 2:64 and Neh 7:66).

Neh 7:67

Vv 67-69: Other statistics of the assembly.

Neh 7:70

Vv 70-73: Gifts to the priests.

THE GOVERNOR: The “Tirshatha”, who was Nehemiah himself (Neh 8:9; 10:1).

1,000 DRACHMAS: “The equivalent of between £10000 and £20000 in modern terms — not an insignificant amount” (PC).

Neh 7:73

WHEN THE SEVENTH MONTH CAME AND THE ISRAELITES HAD SETTLED IN THEIR TOWNS: The month Tishri in the year 537 BC — the year in which the returned exiles just named gathered in Jerusalem to offer sacrifices and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles (cf Ezra 3). It could hardly be the “seventh month” in the year the walls were completed (444 BC) since the people were in Jerusalem on the first day of that seventh month (Neh 8:2), not in their various towns. Therefore, this v 73b should be appended to the end of the Neh 7 list (as it is in the KJV) — not made the first phrase of Neh 8 (as the NIV does).

“Nehemiah appears to be reminding the reader of that great gathering with the hopes that a comparison will be made with the gathering recorded in Neh 8” (Laney).

Neh 8:1

Neh 8-10: A model for the development of a community of believers: (a) the reading of Scripture (Neh 8); (b) the act of prayer (Neh 9), and (c) a community-wide commitment (Neh 10).

Other instances in Israel’s history of a spiritual awakening, followed by a renewal of covenant (cf Exo 34; Josh 24; 2Ki 18; 22; 23; Ezra 10:12-14).

Neh 8: The fact that Nehemiah did not move back to Susa when he finished the wall and secured the city shows that his concern was not primarily those projects. The larger goal of reestablishing the Jews in the land to which God had told them to return following the exile was his primary objective (cf Isa 48:20; Jer 50:8; 51:6). He wanted to see God’s will done. He put God’s interests before his own.

The Mosaic Law specified that once every seven years the people of Israel were to assemble and listen to the reading of the Law. This was to take place during the Feast of Tabernacles (Deut 31:10-13). This occasion provided an opportunity for the people to renew their commitment to Yahweh and His Law. Such covenant renewal ceremonies had taken place earlier in Israel’s history (eg, Josh 8:30-35; 24:1-27; etc).

Vv 1-8: “This ceremony reflects the form of Israelite worship that had developed in exile. Almost the same elements that characterized the synagogue services begun then appear here. The people assembled, there was a request for the reading of the Torah, someone opened the scroll, and the people stood. Then someone (Ezra) offered praise, the people responded, and they received instruction (a sermon). Finally the law was read, an oral explanation and exhortation followed, and the people departed for a fellowship meal” (Williamson).

AS ONE MAN: Typ the Christ-man in unity (1Co 12).

THE WATER GATE: This gate was on the east side of the city of David, and it was near the Gihon Spring.

EZRA: Called “the scribe” here, and “the priest” in v 2. Nehemiah had not mentioned Ezra earlier in this book. However, now we learn that he was still active in Jerusalem as a contemporary and fellow leader of the restoration community along with Nehemiah, although he must have been quite elderly by this time. As the most important scribe in Israel at this time, as well as a priest, he led the people by reading the covenant to them (v 3). (Notice that Eliashib the High Priest — Neh 3:1 — is not mentioned; it seems as though Ezra has taken his place.)

THE BOOK OF THE LAW: Scholars have suggested that this term refers to the legal material in the Pentateuch, or the “priestly code” (ie, Leviticus), or the Deuteronomic laws, or the entire Pentateuch (also called the Torah). Which of these is meant here is uncertain.

Neh 8:2

THE FIRST DAY OF THE SEVENTH MONTH: The day on which the Israelites were to observe the Feast of Trumpets (Lev 23:24). The priests blew trumpets to assemble the people, to announce God’s working among them, and to signal preparation for the Day of Atonement, which followed on the tenth of the month (Lev 23:27).

Neh 8:3

FROM DAYBREAK TILL NOON: At least 3 or 4 hours, indicating real interest in the study of God’s Word (cp v 8).

AND OTHERS WHO COULD UNDERSTAND: The assembly (v 2) or congregation or “ecclesia” consists only of those who can “understand”! There is no such thing as “ignorant” belief or obedience.

THE BOOK OF THE LAW: Cp v 1.

Neh 8:5

THE PEOPLE ALL STOOD UP: Great reverence for the Word of God: cp Job 29:8; 1Ki 8:14.

Neh 8:6

ALL THE PEOPLE LIFTED THEIR HANDS: The lifting up of the hands accompanied the offering of incense and the evening sacrifice, and denoted prayer (Psa 134:2; 141:2; Lam 3:41; cp 1Ti 2:8; Rev 5:8; 8:3,4).

THEN THEY BOWED DOWN: Sym humility before a master (Gen 24:26; Exo 4:31; 12:27; 2Ch 20:18; 29:30); the posture of slaves when greeting their lord. God is exalted when man is abased.

Neh 8:7

An active ecclesial ministry — making use of all who can help. Not relying on a few. Community involvement.

Neh 8:8

THEY READ FROM THE BOOK OF THE LAW OF GOD, MAKING IT CLEAR AND GIVING THE MEANING SO THAT THE PEOPLE COULD UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS BEING SAID: Reading is exposition and exhortation: “Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1Ti 4:15,16). The exposition of Scripture taught the Israelites God’s will, convicted them of their shortcomings, corrected their conduct, and fitted them for righteous living (2Ti 3:16).

“Therein is the perfection of reading. It is probably true that Ezra interjected comments here and there to emphasize or make clear the meaning of the word, but we can be sure that much of the object was attained simply by good reading by men who believed what they read. The effect was something that Jerusalem had not seen for many a long day — the whole congregation wept before the Lord and were comforted by the priests. The word of God was alive that day” (YSL).

MAKING IT CLEAR: Or, as NIV, “translating it”. “Not only did the leaders read the Word of God, they also translated it from the Hebrew language into Aramaic, the common language of the Persian Empire. Some of the Jews present did not know Hebrew (Neh 13:24), having grown up in Babylon and elsewhere — away from Jews who maintained fluency in the Hebrew language.

“The written translation of the Hebrew Bible into Aramaic, with comments added, was the Targum (lit, ‘translation’). The Apostle Paul referred to himself as a Hebrew (Phi 3:5). He meant that he was a Jew who could read the Jewish Bible in the original Hebrew language, not just in Aramaic” (Const).

Neh 8:9

THIS DAY IS SACRED TO THE LORD YOUR GOD: It was the first day of the seventh month (Neh 8:2) — the day of the blowing of trumpets (Lev 23:24).

FOR ALL THE PEOPLE HAD BEEN WEEPING AS THEY LISTENED TO THE WORDS OF THE LAW: a deep conviction of sinfulness (cp Luk 18:9-14).

Neh 8:10

CHOICE FOOD AND SWEET DRINKS: The KJV has “eat the fat”, but since the Law forbade eating fat, Nehemiah probably meant simply that the people should eat rich food and drink sweet beverages, which would be appropriate at such a joyous feast.

SEND SOME TO THOSE WHO HAVE NOTHING PREPARED: Those who wept because they had not kept the law (v 9) now rejoiced because they understood it! The Law specified that the Feast of Trumpets was to be a joyous occasion. They are encouraged to share, in liberality: cp Acts 4:37 with Acts 5:14; see Mal 3:10. “Freely you have received, freely give” (Mat 10:8).

THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH: “Perhaps what we should pray for most is to be taught how to enjoy God, for this is the foundation of all constructive life, and by nature we are so woefully lacking in even the realization of its existence. By nature we are coarse and ignorant and animal and worldly, and we naturally seek our ‘joy’ in coarse and ignorant and animal and worldly things. To give the name ‘joy’ to such is a desecration of the word. Joy must be the root of all action, not its goal. Joy must come first, flooding in upon us by the realization of the beauty and glory and love of God. The contemplation of beauty is a joyful thing. The personal, active, communing contemplation of the highest, fullest, love-radiating beauty is the most intense joy possible… Let us use that strength to the utmost” (GVG).

Neh 8:12

WITH GREAT JOY: “When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, ‘The LORD has done great things for them.’ The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy” (Psa 126:1-3).

Neh 8:13

The power of God’s word, once established on the heart’s fleshly tablets, can move mortal men to do what under ordinary circumstances would have been unthinkable.

Neh 8:14

THE ISRAELITES WERE TO LIVE IN BOOTHS: “Since Jerusalem had been destroyed by the Babylonians and the passage of time — so that the temple and the walls of the city were destroyed — it may be assumed that the houses were also damaged. However the people were willing to suffer the privations of living in booths because of the requirements of the law. Maybe they might have reasoned that they were suffering enough having to rebuild their houses, and so observing the feast of tabernacles would not matter that year. But no, they still kept the feast. How do we feel when life is not going as smooth as we would like it? Do things of the gospel take second place? When time is short do we miss the readings, for example?” (PF).

Neh 8:15

The Feast of Tabernacles (Lev 23) was a time of separation, rejoicing in the remembrance of deliverance, and rededication. This was a happy celebration that looked back to the Israelites’ years of wandering in the wilderness when they lived in booths that they made out of branches. It also looked forward to their entrance into and permanent residence in the Promised Land. Consequently it would have had special significance for the returned exiles who now again had entered into the Promised Land after being absent from it for years. They had come through a kind of wilderness experience themselves. They even had to travel through a literal wilderness to get back to their land.

Nehemiah did not record whether the people also observed the Day of Atonement that fell on the tenth of the same month. Probably they did since they were restoring the other Israelite institutions. Perhaps he passed over mentioning it because the Day of Atonement was a sad day in the Jewish year. It was the only fast of Israel’s festivals wherein the people afflicted themselves in repentance for their sins (this seems to be reflected, generally, in v 9). Nehemiah seems to have wanted — in this chapter, and in the whole book — to emphasize the positive aspects of the restoration, namely God’s faithfulness and the people’s joy.

WILD OLIVE: The KJV has “pine branches”, which is certainly incorrect.

Neh 8:16

BOOTHS ON THEIR OWN ROOFS: Such roofs in the ANE were flat, and often used for sleeping and resting; the roofs were a center of social life (cp Deu 22:8; 2Sa 11:2; Jer 19:13; 32:29).

Neh 8:18

ON THE EIGHT DAY, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REGULATION, THERE WAS AN ASSEMBLY: No regular work would be permitted (Num 29:35-39). Full attention would be required for the occasion.