26 These were in the days of Joiakim the son of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the gov ernor, and of Ezra the priest, the scribe. 27 And at "the dedication of B. C. 1 Chr. 9:33,34. 15:12. 24: the wall of Jerusalem, they sought L 444.

B. C. 442. the Levites out of all their places, to|| God, and Ezra the scribe before them. bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the 37 And at the fountain-gate, which dedication with gladness, both with was over against them, they went up by thanksgivings, and with singing, with the stairs of the city of David, at the cymbals, psalteries, and with harps. going up of the wall, above the house of David, even unto the water-gate eastward.

28 And the sons of the singers gathered themselves together, both out of the plain country round about Jerusalem, and from the villages of Netophathi;

c

e

29 Also from the house of Gilgal, and out of the fields of Geba, and Azmaveth: for the singers had builded them villages round about Jerusalem.

30 And the priests and the Levites fpurified themselves, and purified the people, and the gates, and the wall.

31 Then I brought up the princes of Judah upon the wall, and appointed two great companies of them that gave thanks, whereof one went on the right hand upon the wall toward the 'dunggate;

32 And after them went Hoshaiah, and half of the princes of Judah,

33 And Azariah, Ezra, and Meshullam,

34 Judah, and Benjamin, and Shemaiah, and Jeremiah,

35 And certain of the priests' sons 1 with trumpets; namely, Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Michaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph;

36 And his brethren, Shemaiah, and Azarael, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethaneel, and Judah, Hanani, with the "musical instruments of David the man of

f Gen. 35:2. Ex. 19:10,15.
Num. 19:2-20. 2 Chr. 29:5,
34. Ezra 6:21. Job 1:5.

g 1 Chr. 13:1. 28:1. 2 Chr. 5:2.
h 38.

x 11:20. 1 Chr. 15:4,12,13. 26: e Ezra 2:24.
31,32. 2 Chr. 29:4-11,30.
Ezra 8:15-20.
y 8:17. Deut. 16:11. 2 Sam. 6:
12. 2 Chr. 29:22. Ezra 6:16.
Ps. 98:46. 100:1,2. Phil. 4:4.
z 1 Chr. 13:8. 15:16,28. 16:5,42.
23:5. 25:1-6. Ezra 3:10,11.
Ps. 81:1-4. 92:1-3.149:3. 150:1
2-5. Rev. 5:8.
a 6:2.

b 1 Chr. 2:54. 9:16.

c Deut. 11:30. Josh. 5:9. 10:43. d 11:31. Josh. 21:17. 1 Chr. 6: 60.

i 2:13. 3:13,14.
k 10:2-7.

Num. 10:2-10. Josh. 6:4. 2
Chr. 5:12. 13:12.

m 11:17. 1 Chr. 6:39-43. 25:2.
26:10,11.

n 24. 1 Chr. 23:5. 2 Chr. 8:14.
Amos 6:5.

23. 26:6—12, v. 12,13.)—These, &c. (26) Note, 10,11.

38 And the other company of them that gave thanks went over against them, and I after them, and the half of the people upon the wall, from beyond the tower of the furnaces, even unto the broad wall:

a

39 And from above the gate of Ephraim, and above the old gate, and above the fish-gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Meah, even unto the sheep-gate: and they stood still in the prison-gate.

40 So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me:

41 And the priests; Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets;

e

42 And Maaseiah, and Shemaiah, and Eleazar, and Uzzi, and Jehohanan, and Malchijah, and Elam, and Ezer. And the singers sang loud with Jezrahiah their ' overseer.

43 Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced; for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced; so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off.

o Ezra 7:1. 3:1.

P 2:14. 3:15.

q 3:15. 2 Sam. 5:7-9.

r 3:26. 8:1,3,16.

s 31.

t 3:11.

u 3:8.

x 8:16. 2 Kings 14:13.
y 3:6.

z 3:3. Zeph. 1:10.
a 3:1. Jer. 31:38.

b 3:32. John 5:2.

c 3:25,31. Heb. Jer. 32:2.

d 31,32. Ps. 42:4. 47:6-9. 134:
e 35.

*Heb. made their voice to be

heard. Ps. 81:1. 95:1. 98:4–9. 100:1,2. Is. 12:5,6.

f 11:14.

g Num. 10:10. Deut. 12:11.12 1 Chr. 29:21,22. 2 Chr. 7:5-7, 10. 29:35,36. Ps. 27-6.

h 2 Chr. 20:27. Job 34:29. Pr 28:7. 30:11,12. 92:4. Is. 61:3. 66:10-14. Jer. 311. John 16:22.

i Ex. 15:20,21. 2 Chr. 2013. Ps. 148:11-13. Jer. 31:13. Matt. 21:9,15. Eph. 5:19. Jame. 5:13.

k 1 Sam. 4:5. Ezra 3:13.

tions, they proceeded to purify the people, the gates, and the wall; probably by sprinkling the water of purification, with suitable prayers and supplications. (Marg. Ref. Note, Lev. 16:15, 16. P. O. 1–19. Notes, Num. 19:).

V. 31-43. The princes and priests were di

V. 27, 28. Jerusalem was the holy city, and the wall was built under the immediate superintendence and blessing of JEHOVAH: it was therefore proper that it should be dedicated to that God who was there worshipped, by solemn prais-vided into two companies on the wall, Ezra going es, thanksgivings, prayers, and sacrifices; and thus committed to his gracious protection. (Marg. Ref.-Notes, Deut. 20:5-9. Ezra 6:13-18. Dan. 9:24-27.)

before the one, and Nehemiah after the other. (36,38.) Thus they marched in a row opposite ways, in the circuit of the wall, the priests sounding the sacred trumpets, the Levites playing V. 29. Builded, &c.] The singers had build-upon instruments and singing the praises of God, ed villages for their residence about Jerusalem; that they might be near at hand, when wanted; and attend more conveniently and regularly at the temple.

and the people accompanying them on each side, part of them on the wall, and part, it may be supposed, by the side of it. (Marg. Ref.) When they met on the opposite side of the city, they V. 30. When the priests and Levites had marched in a body to the temple, and offered prepared themselves by the appointed purifica-sacrifices and thank-offerings, with rejoicings 620]

they sanctified holy things unto the Levites, and the Levites sanctified them unto the children of Aaron.

44 And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them, out of the fields of the cities, the On reading the law, Israel separates from the mixed multitude, CHAP. XIII. portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for "the Levites that waited. 45 And both the singers and the porters kept the ward of their God, and

1-3. Eliashib having, during Nehemiah's absence, prepared a chamber at the temple for Tobiah, Nehemiah on his return, being grieved and indignant, causes the chambers to be cleansed, 4-9. He reforms abuses concerning tithes and offerings, 10-14. He prevents the profanation of the sabbath, 15-22. He opposes those who had married strange wives, and drives away the grandson of Eliashib, 23-28. His other services and prayers, 29-31.

*

P the ward of the purification, according Moses in the audience of the N that day they read in the book of

to the commandment of David, and of
Solomon his son.

46 For in the days of David and
Asaph, of old there were chief of the
singers, and songs of praise and thanks-
giving unto God.

47 And all Israel, in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah, gave the portions of the singers and the porters, every day his portion: and

B

1 10:37-39. 13:5,12,13. 2 Chr. | Heb. stood.

for God, by enabling them to rebuild and fortify
the city, had made them to rejoice with great
joy: so that the praises and acclamations of so
large a multitude were heard at a great distance.
(Notes, Ezra 3:12,13. Jer. 31:10-14. Matt. 21: ||
8--11.)-Zechariah, (35) being descended from
Asaph, of the line of Gershom, was no priest;
and the word "namely" is improperly added.
(Marg. Ref. m.)-Man of God. (36) Note, 22—||

26, v. 24.

people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever;

2 Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit d our God turned the curse into a blessing.

t Num. 18:21-29.
That is, set apart.

Jer. 48: Ez. 25:1-11. Am. 2: 1-3.

Heb. there was read. 8:3-8.b 2:10,19. 4:3. Ps. 83:7-9. Jer. 9:3. Deut. 31:11,12. 2 Kings 49:1-6. Am. 1:13-15. 23:2. Is. 34:16. Luke 4:16c Num. 22:3-6. Josh. 24:9,10. 19. 10:26. Acts 13:15,27. 15:21. d Num. 23:8-11,18-24. 24:5† Heb. ears. 9. Ps. 109:28. Mic. 6:5.

a 23. Deut. 23:3-5. Is. 15: 16:

rest.-The believer should undertake nothing, which he cannot, and does not, dedicate to God, by seeking his direction and assistance in it and his blessing upon it; by designing his glory, and by giving praise for success in all things: and whatever he possesses he should commit to the Lord's keeping and disposal, and use it according to his will. (Note, Ps. 30: title. P. O. Note, Col. 3:16,17, v. 17.)—But all that we sinners do must be purified by the blood of sprinkling, and V. 44-47. The attendance, and behavior, of by the grace of the Holy Spirit, or it cannot be the priests and Levites, on this solemn occasion, acceptable unto God: and the whole church of seem to have greatly rejoiced the pious Jews. God, which is "the lot of his inheritance," and "They were so glad to see such a great concourse the object of his choice and delight, being de'of them (27, &c.) and that they performed their scended from fallen Adam, must be thus purified 'duty upon this occasion to the general satisfac- and rendered holy unto the Lord.-Those who 'tion of all that were present; that their hearts would be instrumental in the conversion of sin'were enlarged in love to them.' Bp. Patrick.ners, and the sanctification of believers, must They were therefore zealous to provide for them, begin with themselves: and when we “acknowlthat their incomes might be properly paid, and edge God in all our ways," he will so prosper regularly and impartially distributed by persons and comfort us, as often to cause us to rejoice appointed for that purpose. Thus matters were with great joy.-If our families be trained up to settled, as they had been in the days of David join in the solemn worship of God, and in attendand Solomon. (Marg. Ref.) Similar regula-ance on his word, we may hope that they will tions had been made in the days of Zerubbabel; share our joys and privileges; and the prosperity but they were completed, and put upon a dura- of the church gladdens the hearts of all true beble footing, in the time of Nehemiah. (Notes, lievers: and in all cases, where the ministers of 13:5-14. 2 Chr. 31:5-19. Mal. 3:7-12.)-religion generally come forward in support of The tithes were paid to the Levites, as sanc-pious and benevolent measures, with zeal and tified to their use; and the tithe of them was, alacrity, to the satisfaction of all concerned; they by the Levites, sanctified to the use of the take the most effectual method, not only of doing priests. (Notes, 10:35-39. Num. 18:25-32.)—much good, but of securing the liberal and The porters "kept the ward of purification;" (45) that is, duly observed the orders about 'purification, in not suffering any unclean person or unclean thing to come into the house of God.' Bp. Patrick

PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.

The Lord raises up a succession of worshippers from age to age, who honor him by their sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving:" (Note, Heb. 13:15,16.) and who derive instruction and encouragement from the examples and actions of those, who have long before entered into their

cheerful payment or contribution for the sup-
ply of themselves and families. When their af-
fections are thus lively, they will be disposed to
love and rejoice in those ministers, who are in-
strumental to their comfort; and to care for their
suitable provision. They ought, however, to at-
tend to their several duties and not to be anx-
ious about their interests; and then God will stir
up the hearts of the people, to supply them in a
comfortable and creditable manner.
This they
may receive with songs of praise and thanksgiv-
ing, and need not fear sanctifying a portion
even of their portion, to the more immediate ser-
vice of God and the support of his cause.

4 And before this, Eliashib the priest, *having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah;

i

5 And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat-offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which was commanded to be given to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests.

6 But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth

e Ps. 19:7-11. 119:9,11. Prov. i 28. 6:17,18. 6:23. Rom. 3:20.

B. C.

433.

year of Artaxerxes king of Bab-
ylon, came I unto the king, and after [
certain days obtained I leave of the king.
7 And I came to Jerusalem, and a un-
derstood of the evil that Eliashib did
for Tobiah, in preparing him a cham-
ber in the courts of the house of God.

8 And Pit grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber.

9 Then I commanded, and and they thither cleansed the chambers: and brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat-offering and the frankincense.

10 ¶ And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given

6.

Heb. at the end of days. 2:5, | p Ezra 9:3,4. 10:1. Ps. 69.9.
q Mark 11:15-17. John 2:13—
17.

f 9.2. 10:28. Ezra 10:11. Jam. † Heb. the commandment of Or, I earnestly requested.

1:27.

Ex. 12:38. Num. 11:4.

h 7. 12:10.

*Heb. being set over. 12:44.

k 10:38,39. 12:44.

the Levites.

1 Ex. 32:1.

Matt. 13:25. m 2:1. 5:14.

NOTES.

Num. 18:21-24. 2 Chr. 24:17,18.

him, and related to those who were; and his authority over the temple and all its buildings, enabled him to commit that scandalous profanation, which is next related.-The word rendered "chamber," seems to mean the out-buildings of the temple in general.

V. 5, 6. Nehemiah was first commissioned by Artaxerxes in the twentieth year of his reign; and this journey to court took place in his thirty-second year; so that twelve years had elapsed, concerning which we have little account: and the following events occurred after the end of those years.- -When Nehemiah was gone from Jerusa

CHAP. XIII. V. 1-3. Some expositors think, that the events recorded in these verses, took place several years after those related in the former chapter, and that, during a great part of the time, Nehemiah had been absent at the Persian court. But the introductory language seems rather to imply, that they occurred immediately: though the words "on that day" may be understood with some latitude, and may mean, about that time. Indeed, it can hardly be supposed, that when the gross abuses stated in the sequel of the chapter prevailed, the public reading of the law at the temple was regularly kept up, and the people||lem, Eliashib seems to have invited Tobiah thithzealous to reduce it to practice. It is therefore er: and though all Moabites and Ammonites had more probable, that, before Nehemiah left Jeru-|| been publicly excluded from the congregation, salem, or when he was first gone, the law was according to the law of God; yet the high priest publicly read and expounded to the congregation. admitted this unproselyted Ammonite, who was (Notes, 8:1-8,13-18. 9:3,4.) At that time, the as bitter an enemy to Israel as Balak or Balaam passage here referred to, coming in course, ex- had been, even into the chambers of the temple; cited peculiar attention; and the people of their casting out thence the consecrated oblations to own accord, without compulsion, but with the make room for him; (2 Chr. 31:11-13, v. 12. concurrence of the magistrates, resolved to sep-Notes, 10:35-39. 12:44-47. 1 Kings 6:5,6. 1 Chr. arate from the intimate society of the mixed mul- 28:11-13.) and probably forming him a sumptutitude, especially of Ammonites and Moabites, ac- ous apartment, by throwing many of them into cording to the meaning of the law. (Marg. Ref. one! This was as great contempt of the divine a, b.-Notes, Deut. 23:3-6.) Whether inter- law, profanation of the temple, and disgrace of marriages with any of those nations, even when the priesthood, as could well be imagined. fully proselyted, or with their descendants, was, or was not, intended in the law, many instances would doubtless occur, in which a separation would be required; for probably few, in comparison of those with whom alliances had been formed, were fully proselyted. It is supposed, that from the days of Ezra and Nehemiah, synagogues were built in every part of the land, where God was publicly worshipped, and his word read, expounded, or preached; which produced very salutary effects. (Notes, 2 Kings 4:23. 2 Chr. 17:7|| -9.) A copy of the scriptures then extant, was placed in every synagogue; and the whole was divided into portions or lessons, for the several days when they were accustomed to assemble for that purpose; and probably the same became the general usage in the court of the temple. (Luke 4:16-22. Acts 13:13-15. 15:21.)

King of Babylon. (6) The kings of Persia reigned over Babylon, and all the regions, which had been before subject to the kings of Babylon: but their general residence was at Shushan, or Susa. (1:1. This was much more distant from Jerusalem than Babylon: but Nehemiah, most probably, journeyed thither on this occasion.

V. 7-9. Nehemiah is generally supposed to have been absent from Jerusalem only one year: but the great abuses, which prevailed at his return, favor the opinion of those who think that about five years intervened; and there is nothing in the text that militates against it: for the words rendered "after certain days," or, at the end of days, (6. marg.) do not necessarily signify after one year, but may denote a longer time. (Dan. 12:13. Heb.) At his return, however, he was greatly afflicted and displeased at what had taken V. 4. Eliashib had before this formed an alli- place, and he soon exercised his authority, in the ance with Tobiah the Ammonite, but perhaps se- most decided manner, to clear the temple from cretly to escape censure. (Notes, 2:9,10,19,20. 4:|| such a profanation, and to purify the chambers, in 6:17-19.) It does not appear, that the high the appointed and accustomed manner, that they priest was, or that his sons were, married to any might be restored to their proper use. (Notes, 5: of Tobiah's family: but he was confederated with || 6,7. Ezra 9:3-15. 10:2.)-It is probable, that 6221

did the work, were fled every one to

his field.

k

them: for the Levites and the singers, that|| bath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbathday: and I testified against them, in the day wherein they sold victuals.

11 Then" contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.

y

12 Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn, and the new wine, and the oil unto the treasuries.

a

13 And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren.

c

d

Eliashib was dead before Nehemiah returned; and
that Tobiah did not choose to appear at Jerusa-
lem to see after his furniture.

16 There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.

17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath-day?

18 Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet Pye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath.

19 And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem a began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set ]

k 10:31. Num. 15:32-36. Jer.
17:21,22,24,27.

121. 9:29. Deut. 8:19. 2 Chr.
24:19. Ps. 50:7. Jer. 42:19.
Mic. 6:3. Acts 2:40. 20:21.
Gal. 5:3. Eph. 4:17. 1 Thes.

4:6. Rev. 22:18,19.

m Ex. 23:12. Deut. 5:14.

n 11,25. 5:7. Ps. 82:1,2. Is. 1:
10. Jer. 5:5. 13:18. 22:2,&c.

gracious recompense, notwithstanding defects in
them, and sin in him; after the same manner, as
even the apostle Paul assures the Hebrews, that
the Lord would "not forget their work and labor
of love;" not as claiming "a reward of debt."
(Notes, 20-22, v. 22. Rom. 4:4,5. Heb. 6:9,10.)
But it is also worthy of notice, that these "good
deeds," or kindnesses, "which he had done for the
house of God," consisted in using his authority to
protect the ministers of religion, from those who
defrauded them of their maintenance. There
have been times, when enriching the clergy be-
yond all bounds, and without requiring them to
attend on their ministry, was thought the height
of piety: but it may be questioned whether rulers
may not at present, as well as for some past ages,
have run into the contrary extreme; and Nehe-
miah's firm and prudent conduct in this respect,
might be imitated with good effect by Christian
princes and rulers. (Note, 2 Chr. 31:5-7. P. O.
1-10.)

V. 10-13. As the high priest had ventured profanely to appropriate the chambers of the temple, for the entertainment of an Ammonite; perhaps he had also sacrilegiously intercepted the revenues of the Levites for similar purposes: or the people were reluctant to pay their tithes, when so bad a use was made of them, or so little care was taken of them. (Note, 12:44-47.) Thus the Levites were driven from their office, to get their living by cultivating the land, or by other secular employments; and the temple-service, especially the psalmody, was interrupted.-The rulers, who had been left in trust, ought to have exerted their authority to prevent such mismanagement; but probably they had concurred in it, out of regard to their secular interests; and therefore Nehemiah called them to account for this misconduct. Malachi is supposed to have prophesied about this V. 15-18. It can hardly be supposed, that in time, and he seems repeatedly to refer to these abuses. (Notes, Mal. 1:9—14. 3:7-12.) It is a the course of one year of Nehemiah's absence, 'great artifice of the devil, by his instruments, to such gross and open profanation of the sabbath 'defraud the ministers of religion of their neces- should have been introduced and become general. 'sary maintenance, that he may thereby abolish ||(Marg. Ref.-Notes, 10:30,31. Num. 15:30-36. 'religion itself.' Wolphius, in Bp. Patrick. (Notes, Jer. 17:19-27. John 5:10-16.)—The Tyrians, 1 Cor. 9:7-18.) Nehemiah, however, not only as heathens, not regarding the sabbath, tempted recalled the Levites, but having, it seems, with- the Jews to break it by trading with them. The out difficulty, induced the people to bring their magistrates must have been shamefully negligent, tithes, he placed the distribution of them in the in conniving at these abuses, till they were behands of faithful men, in whom all parties reposed come so notorious: and, the nation seemed to be confidence. (Notes, 2 Chr. 31:15-19. Acts 6:1 proceeding, in many respects, as their fathers had -6.) done, in provoking the wrath of God against V. 14. (Marg. and Marg. Ref.) It is evident them.-Fish. (16) How far the concessions made Nehemiah expected that the Lord would re-by our laws, in respect of the selling some fish on member his good deeds, and vouchsafe them all the Lord's day, agree with this, or consist with

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