Nehemiah 10

Nehemiah 10:1

NOw, &c.] These did seal, but the people confirmed it by oath, v. 28, 29.

those that sealed] Heb. at the sealings.

the Tirshatha] Or, the governour.

Nehemiah 10:8

these were the priests] Which subscribed to the covenant, except Nehemiah, who is set first, as governour, v. 1.

Nehemiah 10:28

And the rest] Ezra 2.

the Nethinims] See Notes on Ezra 2:43.

that had separated themselves] Which being idolaters, had forsaken their wickednesse, and given themselves to serve God: or, which had put away their strange wives, chap. 9. 2.

Nehemiah 10:29

and entred into a curse] Whereinto they gave themselves, if they should break this covenant. See Deut. 29. 12, 14, 19. and so agreed to that which their nobles had sealed, v. 1, 14.

by] Heb. by the hand of.

Nehemiah 10:30

that we would not give our daughters] Exodus 34:16. Deuteronomy 7:3.

Nehemiah 10:31

And if the people] Exodus 20:10. Leviticus 23:3. Deuteronomy 5:12. Chap. 13. 15, &c.

we would not buy it] Which notwithstanding they brake soon after. See chap. 13. 15, 16.

we would leave] That we would leave the fruit of our land that yeer for the poor, and forgive them their debts, Exodus 23:10.

seventh yeer] Levit. 25 4.

exaction] Deuteronomy 15:2.

every debt] Heb. every hand.

Nehemiah 10:32

we made ordinances for us] Sacrifices required could not be offered without cost: whence this cost should come, the law did not determine; but good rulers took order for it, Chron. 31. 3.

with the third part of a shekel] That is, ten pence apiece: rich and poor paid alike.

Nehemiah 10:33

For the shew-bread] This declareth wherefore they gave the third part of the shekel, which was beside the half shekel that they were bound to pay, Exodus 30:13. if that were perpetuall.

of the sabbaths] See Numbers 28, , 29.

Nehemiah 10:34

we cast the lots] Howsoever in the law there was no such particular direction for the bringing in of wood for maintaining of the fire on the altar, yet their present exigencie moved them by lot to assigne the persons and times for the bringing of it in, or providing of it.

Nehemiah 10:35

to bring the first-fruits] Exodus 23:19. Leviticus 19:23.

Nehemiah 10:36

as it is written] By this rehearsall is meant, that there was no part of the ceremoniall law, whereunto they did not binde themselves by covenant.

in the law] Exodus 13:2.

firstlings of our herds] Such as were fit for sacrifice, were to be brought in kinde; and such as were not, were paid for with money, Levit. 27. 9, &c.

Nehemiah 10:37

And that we should bring the first-fruits] Leviticus 23:17. Numbers 15:19. and 18. 12, &c.

dough] Or, loaves.

might] Or, should.

of our tillage] As knowing that wheresoever we laboured, the tythes were due unto the LORD, both by the law, and according to the oath and covenant that we had made.

Nehemiah 10:38

And the priest] Or, And that the priest.

when the Levites take tithes] Numbers 18:26.

and the Levites] Or, and that the Levites.

to the chambers] 2 Chronicles 31:11.

Nehemiah 10:39

For] Or, That.

and we] Or, and that we.

will not forsake the house of our God] Will not leave it destitute of that which shall be necessary for it.