Nehemiah 9

Nehemiah 9:1

this month. In 404 B.C., not in 426 B.C. (Nehemiah 7:73). Same as Ezra 9:1-4. See App-58.

children = sons.

Nehemiah 9:2

strangers = sons of the foreigner.

sins. Hebrew. chata’. App-44.

Nehemiah 9:3

the book of the law. See App-47.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

Nehemiah 9:4

stairs = platform. Omit the comma.

Bani, and Chenani. Some codices, with Septuagint, read “sons of Chenani”.

Nehemiah 9:5

Levites. For these names, Compare Nehemiah 3:17; Nehemiah 7:43; Nehemiah 10:10; Nehemiah 12:8, Nehemiah 12:24. Ezra 2:40; Ezra 3:9.

Stand up, &c. One of the most glorious of all Doxologies.

blessed be = let them bless.

Nehemiah 9:6

Thou . . . Thou . . . Thou. Figure of speech Epizeuxis (App-6), for emphasis.

art LORD = [art] He, Jehovah,

heaven = the heavens.

heaven of heavens. Figure of speech Polyptoton, for emphasis.

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton, throughout this confession.

Nehemiah 9:7

choose Abram. Compare Genesis 11:31; Genesis 12:1; Genesis 17:5. Joshua 24:1-3.

Abraham. See note on Genesis 17:5, and App-50. The letter (He) = five. This is the number of grace (App-10), put into the middle of the names (Abram and Sarai), as a symbol of the grace that called him. See App-50. for the repetition of five in its multiples all through his life.

Nehemiah 9:8

faithful. Because He had made it so. Compare James 3:6.

covenant. Compare Genesis 15:1, Genesis 15:18; Genesis 17:7, Genesis 17:8.

Nehemiah 9:9

affliction = humiliation. Compare Exodus 2:23-25.

Nehemiah 9:10

shewedst signs, &c. See Exodus 1:7, Exodus 1:8-10; Exodus 1:12; Exodus 1:14. Psalms 105:27; Psalms 106:7; Psalms 135:9.

Nehemiah 9:11

persecutors = pursuers. mighty waters. Compare Exodus 15:5.

Nehemiah 9:12

leddest them = leddest them gently.

cloudy pillar. Compare Exodus 13:21.

Nehemiah 9:13

Thou earnest down. Compare Exodus 19:20; Exodus 20:1.

true laws. Hebrew laws of truth. See note on John 1:17.

good statutes. See note on Genesis 26:5. Deuteronomy 4:7.

Nehemiah 9:14

madest known . . . Thy, &c. Jehovah’s Sabbath was in Genesis 2:1-3. Made known to Israel (Exodus 20:9-11). Established as a sign (Exodus 31:13-17).

holy. See note on Exodus 3:5.

sabbath = cessation (from work), rest. This rest was made for man (Mark 2:27).

Nehemiah 9:15

gavest them bread. Exodus 16:14, Exodus 16:15. Compare John 6:57, John 6:58.

water. Exodus 17:6. Numbers 20:9-11.

Promisedst. Deuteronomy 1:8.

Nehemiah 9:16

dealt proudly = fostered pride.

Nehemiah 9:17

among = with.

appointed a captain. See Numbers 14:4.

to their bondage. Some codices, with one early printed edition, read bemizraim = to Egypt, instead of bemiryam = in their rebellion.

ready to pardon = of forgivenesses.

of great kindness = abounding in lovingkindness.

Nehemiah 9:18

a molten calf. Exodus 32:4.

This. Singular number: i.e. “This [calf]”.

Egypt. Some codices, with six early printed editions and Syriac, read “the land of Egypt”. Compare Exodus 32:4.

Nehemiah 9:19

manifold mercies. Compare Nehemiah 9:27 and Psalms 106:45.

departed not. Compare Exodus 13:21, Exodus 13:22.

Nehemiah 9:20

spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9. Compare Numbers 11:16, Numbers 11:17. Deuteronomy 34:9. Psalms 143:10, and Nehemiah 9:30 below.

manna. Compare Exodus 16:15. Joshua 5:12.

Nehemiah 9:21

clothes. Compare Deuteronomy 8:4; Deuteronomy 29:5.

Nehemiah 9:22

nations = peoples.

divide them into corners = apportion them their lot. Hebrew. pe’ah = quarter, region. See Leviticus 19:9; Leviticus 23:22. Compare Jeremiah 9:26; Jeremiah 49:32. The word occurs in the allotment of the Land, in Joshua 15:5; Joshua 18:12, Joshua 18:14, Joshua 18:15, Joshua 18:20.

Sihon . . . Og. Compare Numbers 21:21, &c.

Nehemiah 9:24

people = peoples.

Nehemiah 9:25

fat land = rich soil.

wells digged. Hebrew. bor, cisterns hewed. See note on Genesis 21:19.

delighted themselves = made their Eden. Hebrew. ’anag. Hithp. pret. only here.

Nehemiah 9:26

slew Thy prophets. See 1 Kings 19:10. Compare Matthew 23:37. Acts 7:52.

testified against = solemnly admonished.

Nehemiah 9:27

enemies = adversaries.

according to. Some codices, with seven early printed editions and Septuagint, read “in”.

gavest them saviours. See Judges 3:9,

Nehemiah 9:28

evil. Hebrew. ra’a’. App-44.

enemies = oppressors.

according to. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Septuagint, and Vulgate, read “in”.

Nehemiah 9:29

sinned. Hebrew. chata’, App-44.

a man. Hebrew. ’adam. App-14.

he shall live, &c. See note on Leviticus 18:2.

Nehemiah 9:30

in = by the hand of; “hand” put by Fig, Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for the ministry or agency of the prophets.

Nehemiah 9:31

GOD. Hebrew. El. App-4.

Nehemiah 9:32

mercy = lovingkindness, or grace.

and. Some codices, with six early printed editions, omit this “and”.

Nehemiah 9:33

we. Note how Nehemiah (here), Ezra (Nehemiah 9:6-11), and Daniel (Nehemiah 9:5-19) associate themselves with the people in their confessions.

have done wickedly. Hebrew. rasha’. App-44.

Nehemiah 9:35

wicked. Hebrew. ra’a. App-44.

Nehemiah 9:36

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6.

for = as to.

Nehemiah 9:38

And because, &c. Ezra chapter 10 in Hebrew text begins with this verse.

Princes. Nehemiah and Hananiah, if not others, were members of the royal family of Judah. See Nehemiah 1:1. This chapter is parallel with the last chapter of Ezra (Nehemiah 10:1-44). Consequently all beyond it is supplementary (chronologically). See note on Nehemiah 9:1, the Structure on p. 617, notes on p. 618, and App-58.