Nehemiah 10:18 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

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¹⁸ Hodijah, ^H1941 Hashum, ^H2828 Bezai, ^H1209

Cross Reference

Ezra 2:17-70 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

The children ^H1121 of Bezai, ^H1209 three ^H7969 hundred ^H3967 twenty ^H6242 and three. ^H7969 The children ^H1121 of Jorah, ^H3139 an hundred ^H3967 and twelve. ^H8147 ^H6240 The children ^H1121 of Hashum, ^H2828 two hundred ^H3967 twenty ^H6242 and three. ^H7969 The children ^H1121 of Gibbar, ^H1402 ninety ^H8673 and five. ^H2568 The children ^H1121 of Bethlehem, ^H1035 an hundred ^H3967 twenty ^H6242 and three. ^H7969 The men ^H582 of Netophah, ^H5199 fifty ^H2572 and six. ^H8337 The men ^H582 of Anathoth, ^H6068 an hundred ^H3967 twenty ^H6242 and eight. ^H8083 The children ^H1121 of Azmaveth, ^H5820 forty ^H705 and two. ^H8147 The children ^H1121 of Kirjatharim, ^H7157 Chephirah, ^H3716 and Beeroth, ^H881 seven ^H7651 hundred ^H3967 and forty ^H705 and three. ^H7969 The children ^H1121 of Ramah ^H7414 and Gaba, ^H1387 six ^H8337 hundred ^H3967 twenty ^H6242 and one. ^H259 The men ^H582 of Michmas, ^H4363 an hundred ^H3967 twenty ^H6242 and two. ^H8147 The men ^H582 of Bethel ^H1008 and Ai, ^H5857 two hundred ^H3967 twenty ^H6242 and three. ^H7969 The children ^H1121 of Nebo, ^H5015 fifty ^H2572 and two. ^H8147 The children ^H1121 of Magbish, ^H4019 an hundred ^H3967 fifty ^H2572 and six. ^H8337 The children ^H1121 of the other ^H312 Elam, ^H5867 a thousand ^H505 two hundred ^H3967 fifty ^H2572 and four. ^H702 The children ^H1121 of Harim, ^H2766 three ^H7969 hundred ^H3967 and twenty. ^H6242 The children ^H1121 of Lod, ^H3850 Hadid, ^H2307 and Ono, ^H207 seven ^H7651 hundred ^H3967 twenty ^H6242 and five. ^H2568 The children ^H1121 of Jericho, ^H3405 three ^H7969 hundred ^H3967 forty ^H705 and five. ^H2568 The children ^H1121 of Senaah, ^H5570 three ^H7969 thousand ^H505 and six ^H8337 hundred ^H3967 and thirty. ^H7970 The priests: ^H3548 the children ^H1121 of Jedaiah, ^H3048 of the house ^H1004 of Jeshua, ^H3442 nine ^H8672 hundred ^H3967 seventy ^H7657 and three. ^H7969 The children ^H1121 of Immer, ^H564 a thousand ^H505 fifty ^H2572 and two. ^H8147 The children ^H1121 of Pashur, ^H6583 a thousand ^H505 two hundred ^H3967 forty ^H705 and seven. ^H7651 The children ^H1121 of Harim, ^H2766 a thousand ^H505 and seventeen. ^H7651 ^H6240 The Levites: ^H3881 the children ^H1121 of Jeshua ^H3442 and Kadmiel, ^H6934 of the children ^H1121 of Hodaviah, ^H1938 seventy ^H7657 and four. ^H702 The singers: ^H7891 the children ^H1121 of Asaph, ^H623 an hundred ^H3967 twenty ^H6242 and eight. ^H8083 The children ^H1121 of the porters: ^H7778 the children ^H1121 of Shallum, ^H7967 the children ^H1121 of Ater, ^H333 the children ^H1121 of Talmon, ^H2929 the children ^H1121 of Akkub, ^H6126 the children ^H1121 of Hatita, ^H2410 the children ^H1121 of Shobai, ^H7630 in all an hundred ^H3967 thirty ^H7970 and nine. ^H8672 The Nethinims: ^H5411 the children ^H1121 of Ziha, ^H6727 the children ^H1121 of Hasupha, ^H2817 the children ^H1121 of Tabbaoth, ^H2884 The children ^H1121 of Keros, ^H7026 the children ^H1121 of Siaha, ^H5517 the children ^H1121 of Padon, ^H6303 The children ^H1121 of Lebanah, ^H3838 the children ^H1121 of Hagabah, ^H2286 the children ^H1121 of Akkub, ^H6126 The children ^H1121 of Hagab, ^H2285 the children ^H1121 of Shalmai, ^H8073 the children ^H1121 of Hanan, ^H2605 The children ^H1121 of Giddel, ^H1435 the children ^H1121 of Gahar, ^H1515 the children ^H1121 of Reaiah, ^H7211 The children ^H1121 of Rezin, ^H7526 the children ^H1121 of Nekoda, ^H5353 the children ^H1121 of Gazzam, ^H1502 The children ^H1121 of Uzza, ^H5798 the children ^H1121 of Paseah, ^H6454 the children ^H1121 of Besai, ^H1153 The children ^H1121 of Asnah, ^H619 the children ^H1121 of Mehunim, ^H4586 the children ^H1121 of Nephusim, ^H5300 ^H5304 The children ^H1121 of Bakbuk, ^H1227 the children ^H1121 of Hakupha, ^H2709 the children ^H1121 of Harhur, ^H2744 The children ^H1121 of Bazluth, ^H1213 the children ^H1121 of Mehida, ^H4240 the children ^H1121 of Harsha, ^H2797 The children ^H1121 of Barkos, ^H1302 the children ^H1121 of Sisera, ^H5516 the children ^H1121 of Thamah, ^H8547 The children ^H1121 of Neziah, ^H5335 the children ^H1121 of Hatipha. ^H2412 The children ^H1121 of Solomon's ^H8010 servants: ^H5650 the children ^H1121 of Sotai, ^H5479 the children ^H1121 of Sophereth, ^H5618 the children ^H1121 of Peruda, ^H6514 The children ^H1121 of Jaalah, ^H3279 the children ^H1121 of Darkon, ^H1874 the children ^H1121 of Giddel, ^H1435 The children ^H1121 of Shephatiah, ^H8203 the children ^H1121 of Hattil, ^H2411 the children ^H1121 of Pochereth of Zebaim, ^H6380 the children ^H1121 of Ami. ^H532 All the Nethinims, ^H5411 and the children ^H1121 of Solomon's ^H8010 servants, ^H5650 were three ^H7969 hundred ^H3967 ninety ^H8673 and two. ^H8147 And these were they which went up ^H5927 from Telmelah, ^H8528 Telharsa, ^H8521 Cherub, ^H3743 Addan, ^H135 and Immer: ^H564 but they could ^H3201 not shew ^H5046 their father's ^H1 house, ^H1004 and their seed, ^H2233 whether they were of Israel: ^H3478 The children ^H1121 of Delaiah, ^H1806 the children ^H1121 of Tobiah, ^H2900 the children ^H1121 of Nekoda, ^H5353 six ^H8337 hundred ^H3967 fifty ^H2572 and two. ^H8147 And of the children ^H1121 of the priests: ^H3548 the children ^H1121 of Habaiah, ^H2252 the children ^H1121 of Koz, ^H6976 the children ^H1121 of Barzillai; ^H1271 which took ^H3947 a wife ^H802 of the daughters ^H1323 of Barzillai ^H1271 the Gileadite, ^H1569 and was called ^H7121 after their name: ^H8034 These sought ^H1245 their register ^H3791 among those that were reckoned by genealogy, ^H3187 but they were not found: ^H4672 therefore were they, as polluted, ^H1351 put from the priesthood. ^H3550 And the Tirshatha ^H8660 said ^H559 unto them, that they should not eat ^H398 of the most ^H6944 holy things, ^H6944 till there stood up ^H5975 a priest ^H3548 with Urim ^H224 and with Thummim. ^H8550 The whole congregation ^H6951 together ^H259 was forty ^H702 ^H7239 and two thousand ^H505 three ^H7969 hundred ^H3967 and threescore, ^H8346 Beside their servants ^H5650 and their maids, ^H519 of whom there were seven ^H7651 thousand ^H505 three ^H7969 hundred ^H3967 thirty ^H7970 and seven: ^H7651 and there were ^H428 among them two hundred ^H3967 singing men ^H7891 and singing women. ^H7891 Their horses ^H5483 were seven ^H7651 hundred ^H3967 thirty ^H7970 and six; ^H8337 their mules, ^H6505 two hundred ^H3967 forty ^H705 and five; ^H2568 Their camels, ^H1581 four ^H702 hundred ^H3967 thirty ^H7970 and five; ^H2568 their asses, ^H2543 six ^H8337 thousand ^H505 seven ^H7651 hundred ^H3967 and twenty. ^H6242 And some of the chief ^H7218 of the fathers, ^H1 when they came ^H935 to the house ^H1004 of the LORD ^H3068 which is at Jerusalem, ^H3389 offered freely ^H5068 for the house ^H1004 of God ^H430 to set it up ^H5975 in his place: ^H4349 They gave ^H5414 after their ability ^H3581 unto the treasure ^H214 of the work ^H4399 threescore ^H8337 ^H7239 and one thousand ^H505 drams ^H1871 of gold, ^H2091 and five ^H2568 thousand ^H505 pound ^H4488 of silver, ^H3701 and one hundred ^H3967 priests' ^H3548 garments. ^H3801 So the priests, ^H3548 and the Levites, ^H3881 and some of the people, ^H5971 and the singers, ^H7891 and the porters, ^H7778 and the Nethinims, ^H5411 dwelt ^H3427 in their cities, ^H5892 and all Israel ^H3478 in their cities. ^H5892

Nehemiah 7:22-73 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

The children ^H1121 of Hashum, ^H2828 three ^H7969 hundred ^H3967 twenty ^H6242 and eight. ^H8083 The children ^H1121 of Bezai, ^H1209 three ^H7969 hundred ^H3967 twenty ^H6242 and four. ^H702 The children ^H1121 of Hariph, ^H2756 an hundred ^H3967 and twelve. ^H8147 ^H6240 The children ^H1121 of Gibeon, ^H1391 ninety ^H8673 and five. ^H2568 The men ^H582 of Bethlehem ^H1035 and Netophah, ^H5199 an hundred ^H3967 fourscore ^H8084 and eight. ^H8083 The men ^H582 of Anathoth, ^H6068 an hundred ^H3967 twenty ^H6242 and eight. ^H8083 The men ^H582 of Bethazmaveth, ^H1041 forty ^H705 and two. ^H8147 The men ^H582 of Kirjathjearim, ^H7157 Chephirah, ^H3716 and Beeroth, ^H881 seven ^H7651 hundred ^H3967 forty ^H705 and three. ^H7969 The men ^H582 of Ramah ^H7414 and Geba, ^H1387 six ^H8337 hundred ^H3967 twenty ^H6242 and one. ^H259 The men ^H582 of Michmas, ^H4363 an hundred ^H3967 and twenty ^H6242 and two. ^H8147 The men ^H582 of Bethel ^H1008 and Ai, ^H5857 an hundred ^H3967 twenty ^H6242 and three. ^H7969 The men ^H582 of the other ^H312 Nebo, ^H5015 fifty ^H2572 and two. ^H8147 The children ^H1121 of the other ^H312 Elam, ^H5867 a thousand ^H505 two hundred ^H3967 fifty ^H2572 and four. ^H702 The children ^H1121 of Harim, ^H2766 three ^H7969 hundred ^H3967 and twenty. ^H6242 The children ^H1121 of Jericho, ^H3405 three ^H7969 hundred ^H3967 forty ^H705 and five. ^H2568 The children ^H1121 of Lod, ^H3850 Hadid, ^H2307 and Ono, ^H207 seven ^H7651 hundred ^H3967 twenty ^H6242 and one. ^H259 The children ^H1121 of Senaah, ^H5570 three ^H7969 thousand ^H505 nine ^H8672 hundred ^H3967 and thirty. ^H7970 The priests: ^H3548 the children ^H1121 of Jedaiah, ^H3048 of the house ^H1004 of Jeshua, ^H3442 nine ^H8672 hundred ^H3967 seventy ^H7657 and three. ^H7969 The children ^H1121 of Immer, ^H564 a thousand ^H505 fifty ^H2572 and two. ^H8147 The children ^H1121 of Pashur, ^H6583 a thousand ^H505 two hundred ^H3967 forty ^H705 and seven. ^H7651 The children ^H1121 of Harim, ^H2766 a thousand ^H505 and seventeen. ^H7651 ^H6240 The Levites: ^H3881 the children ^H1121 of Jeshua, ^H3442 of Kadmiel, ^H6934 and of the children ^H1121 of Hodevah, ^H1937 seventy ^H7657 and four. ^H702 The singers: ^H7891 the children ^H1121 of Asaph, ^H623 an hundred ^H3967 forty ^H705 and eight. ^H8083 The porters: ^H7778 the children ^H1121 of Shallum, ^H7967 the children ^H1121 of Ater, ^H333 the children ^H1121 of Talmon, ^H2929 the children ^H1121 of Akkub, ^H6126 the children ^H1121 of Hatita, ^H2410 the children ^H1121 of Shobai, ^H7630 an hundred ^H3967 thirty ^H7970 and eight. ^H8083 The Nethinims: ^H5411 the children ^H1121 of Ziha, ^H6727 the children ^H1121 of Hashupha, ^H2817 the children ^H1121 of Tabbaoth, ^H2884 The children ^H1121 of Keros, ^H7026 the children ^H1121 of Sia, ^H5517 the children ^H1121 of Padon, ^H6303 The children ^H1121 of Lebana, ^H3838 the children ^H1121 of Hagaba, ^H2286 the children ^H1121 of Shalmai, ^H8014 The children ^H1121 of Hanan, ^H2605 the children ^H1121 of Giddel, ^H1435 the children ^H1121 of Gahar, ^H1515 The children ^H1121 of Reaiah, ^H7211 the children ^H1121 of Rezin, ^H7526 the children ^H1121 of Nekoda, ^H5353 The children ^H1121 of Gazzam, ^H1502 the children ^H1121 of Uzza, ^H5798 the children ^H1121 of Phaseah, ^H6454 The children ^H1121 of Besai, ^H1153 the children ^H1121 of Meunim, ^H4586 the children ^H1121 of Nephishesim, ^H5300 ^H5304 The children ^H1121 of Bakbuk, ^H1227 the children ^H1121 of Hakupha, ^H2709 the children ^H1121 of Harhur, ^H2744 The children ^H1121 of Bazlith, ^H1213 the children ^H1121 of Mehida, ^H4240 the children ^H1121 of Harsha, ^H2797 The children ^H1121 of Barkos, ^H1302 the children ^H1121 of Sisera, ^H5516 the children ^H1121 of Tamah, ^H8547 The children ^H1121 of Neziah, ^H5335 the children ^H1121 of Hatipha. ^H2412 The children ^H1121 of Solomon's ^H8010 servants: ^H5650 the children ^H1121 of Sotai, ^H5479 the children ^H1121 of Sophereth, ^H5618 the children ^H1121 of Perida, ^H6514 The children ^H1121 of Jaala, ^H3279 the children ^H1121 of Darkon, ^H1874 the children ^H1121 of Giddel, ^H1435 The children ^H1121 of Shephatiah, ^H8203 the children ^H1121 of Hattil, ^H2411 the children ^H1121 of Pochereth of Zebaim, ^H6380 the children ^H1121 of Amon. ^H526 All the Nethinims, ^H5411 and the children ^H1121 of Solomon's ^H8010 servants, ^H5650 were three ^H7969 hundred ^H3967 ninety ^H8673 and two. ^H8147 And these were they which went up ^H5927 also from Telmelah, ^H8528 Telharesha, ^H8521 Cherub, ^H3743 Addon, ^H114 and Immer: ^H564 but they could ^H3201 not shew ^H5046 their father's ^H1 house, ^H1004 nor their seed, ^H2233 whether they were of Israel. ^H3478 The children ^H1121 of Delaiah, ^H1806 the children ^H1121 of Tobiah, ^H2900 the children ^H1121 of Nekoda, ^H5353 six ^H8337 hundred ^H3967 forty ^H705 and two. ^H8147 And of the priests: ^H3548 the children ^H1121 of Habaiah, ^H2252 the children ^H1121 of Koz, ^H6976 the children ^H1121 of Barzillai, ^H1271 which took ^H3947 one of the daughters ^H1323 of Barzillai ^H1271 the Gileadite ^H1569 to wife, ^H802 and was called ^H7121 after their name. ^H8034 These sought ^H1245 their register ^H3791 among those that were reckoned by genealogy, ^H3187 but it was not found: ^H4672 therefore were they, as polluted, ^H1351 put from the priesthood. ^H3550 And the Tirshatha ^H8660 said ^H559 unto them, that they should not eat ^H398 of the most ^H6944 holy things, ^H6944 till there stood ^H5975 up a priest ^H3548 with Urim ^H224 and Thummim. ^H8550 The whole congregation ^H6951 together ^H259 was forty ^H702 ^H7239 and two thousand ^H505 three ^H7969 hundred ^H3967 and threescore, ^H8346 Beside their manservants ^H5650 and their maidservants, ^H519 of whom there were seven ^H7651 thousand ^H505 three ^H7969 hundred ^H3967 thirty ^H7970 and seven: ^H7651 and they had two hundred ^H3967 forty ^H705 and five ^H2568 singing men ^H7891 and singing women. ^H7891 Their horses, ^H5483 seven ^H7651 hundred ^H3967 thirty ^H7970 and six: ^H8337 their mules, ^H6505 two hundred ^H3967 forty ^H705 and five: ^H2568 Their camels, ^H1581 four ^H702 hundred ^H3967 thirty ^H7970 and five: ^H2568 six ^H8337 thousand ^H505 seven ^H7651 hundred ^H3967 and twenty ^H6242 asses. ^H2543 And some of ^H7117 the chief ^H7218 of the fathers ^H1 gave ^H5414 unto the work. ^H4399 The Tirshatha ^H8660 gave ^H5414 to the treasure ^H214 a thousand ^H505 drams ^H1871 of gold, ^H2091 fifty ^H2572 basons, ^H4219 five ^H2568 hundred ^H3967 and thirty ^H7970 priests' ^H3548 garments. ^H3801 And some of the chief ^H7218 of the fathers ^H1 gave ^H5414 to the treasure ^H214 of the work ^H4399 twenty ^H8147 thousand ^H7239 drams ^H1871 of gold, ^H2091 and two thousand ^H505 and two hundred ^H3967 pound ^H4488 of silver. ^H3701 And that which the rest ^H7611 of the people ^H5971 gave ^H5414 was twenty ^H8147 thousand ^H7239 drams ^H1871 of gold, ^H2091 and two thousand ^H505 pound ^H4488 of silver, ^H3701 and threescore ^H8346 and seven ^H7651 priests' ^H3548 garments. ^H3801 So the priests, ^H3548 and the Levites, ^H3881 and the porters, ^H7778 and the singers, ^H7891 and some of the people, ^H5971 and the Nethinims, ^H5411 and all Israel, ^H3478 dwelt ^H3427 in their cities; ^H5892 and when the seventh ^H7637 month ^H2320 came, ^H5060 the children ^H1121 of Israel ^H3478 were in their cities. ^H5892

Commentary on Nehemiah 10 Matthew Henry Commentary

John Gill Keil & Delitzsch Robert Jamieson: Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Chapter 10

We have in this chapter a particular account of the covenant which in the close of the foregoing chapter was resolved upon; they struck while the iron was not, and immediately put that good resolve in execution, when they were in a good frame, lest, if it should be delayed, it might be dropped. Here we have,

I. The names of those that set their hands and seals to it (v. 1-27).
II. An account of those who signified their consent and concurrence (v. 28, 29).
III. The covenant itself, and the articles of it in general, that they would "keep God's commandments' (v. 29); in particular, that they would not marry with the heathen (v. 30), nor profane the sabbath, nor be rigorous with their debtors (v. 31), and that they would carefully pay their church-dues, for the maintenance of the temple service, which they promise faithfully to adhere to (v. 32-39).

Neh 10:1-31

When Israel was first brought into covenant with God it was done by sacrifice and the sprinkling of blood, Ex. 24. But here it was done by the more natural and common way of sealing and subscribing the written articles of the covenant, which bound them to no more than was already their duty. Now here we have,

I. The names of those public persons who, as the representatives and heads of the congregation, set their hands and seals to this covenant, because it would have been an endless piece of work for every particular person to do it; and, if these leading men did their part in pursuance of this covenant, their example would have a good influence upon all the people. Now observe,
- 1. Nehemiah, who was the governor, signed first, to show his forwardness in this work and to set others a good example, v. 1. Those that are above others in dignity and power should go before them in the way of God.
- 2. Next to him subscribed twenty-two priests, among whom I wonder we do not find Ezra, who was an active man in the solemnity (ch. 8:2) which was but the first day of the same month, and therefore we cannot think he was absent; but he, having before done his part as a scribe, now left it to others to do theirs.
- 3. Next to the priests, seventeen Levites subscribed this covenant, among whom we find all or most of those who were the mouth of the congregation in prayer, ch. 9:4, 5. This showed that they themselves were affected with what they had said, and would not bind those burdens on others which they themselves declined to touch. Those that lead in prayer should lead in every other good work.
- 4. Next to the Levites, forty-four of the chief of the people gave it under their hands for themselves and all the rest, chiefly those whom they had influence upon, that they would keep God's commandments. Their names are left upon record here, to their honour, as men that were forward and active in reviving and endeavouring to perpetuate religion in their country. The memory of such shall be blessed. It is observable that most of those who were mentioned, ch. 7:8, etc., as heads of houses or clans, are here mentioned among the first of the chief of the people that subscribed, whoever was the present head bearing the name of him that was head when they came out of Babylon, and these were fittest to subscribe for all those of their father's house. Here are Parosh, Pahathmoab, Elam, Zatthu, Bani (v. 14), Azgad, Bebai, Bigvai, Adin, Ater, Hashum, Bezai, Hariph, Anathoth, and some others in the following verses, that are all found in that catalogue. Those that have interest must use it for God.
II. The concurrence of the rest of the people with them, and the rest of the priests and Levites, who signified their consent to what their chiefs did. With them joined,
- 1. Their wives and children; for they had transgressed, and they must reform. Every one that had knowledge and understanding must covenant with God. As soon as young people grow up to be capable of distinguishing between good and evil, and of acting intelligently, they ought to make it their own act and deed to join themselves to the Lord.
- 2. The proselytes of other nations, all that had separated themselves from the people of the lands, their gods and their worship, unto the law of God, and the observance of that law. See what conversion it; it is separating ourselves from the course and custom of this world, and devoting ourselves to the conduce of the word of God. And, as there is one law, so there is one covenant, one baptism, for the stranger and for him that is born in the land. Observe how the concurrence of the people is expressed, v. 29.
  - (1.) They clave to their brethren one and all. Here those whom the court blessed the country blessed too! The commonalty agreed with their nobles in this good work. Great men never look so great as when they encourage religion, and are examples of it; and they would by that, as much as any thing, secure an interest in the most valuable of their inferiors. Let but the nobles cordially espouse religious causes, and perhaps they will find people cleave to them therein closer than they can imagine. Observe, Their nobles are called their brethren; for, in the things of God, rich and poor, high and low, meet together.
  - (2.) They entered into a curse and an oath. As the nobles confirmed the covenant with their hands and seals, so the people with a curse and an oath, solemnly appealing to God concerning their sincerity, and imprecating his just revenge if they dealt deceitfully. Every oath has in it a conditional curse upon the soul, which makes it a strong bond upon the soul; for our own tongues, if false and lying tongues, will fall, and fall heavily, upon ourselves.
III. The general purport of this covenant. They laid upon themselves no other burden than this necessary thing, which they were already obliged to by all other engagements of duty, interest, and gratitude-to walk in God's law, and to do all his commandments, v. 29. Thus David swore that he would keep God's righteous judgments, Ps. 119:106. Our own covenant binds us to this, if not more strongly, yet more sensibly, than we were before bound, and therefore we must not think it needless thus to bind ourselves. Observe, When we bind ourselves to do the commandments of God we bind ourselves to do all his commandments, and therein to have an eye to him as the Lord and our Lord.
IV. Some of the particular articles of this covenant, such as were adapted to their present temptations.
- 1. That they would not intermarry with the heathen, v. 30. Many of them had been guilty of this, Ezra 9:1. In our covenants with God we should engage particularly against those sins that we have been most frequently overtaken in and damaged by. Those that resolve to keep the commandments of God must say to evil doers, Depart, Ps. 119:115.
- 2. That they would keep no markets on the sabbath day, or any other day of which the law had said, You shall do no work therein. They would not only not sell goods themselves for gain on that day, but they would not encourage the heathen to sell on that day by buying of them, no not victuals, under pretence of necessity; but would buy in their provisions for their families the day before, v. 31. Note, Those that covenant to keep all God's commandments must particularly covenant to keep sabbaths well; for the profanation of them is an inlet to other instances of profaneness. The sabbath is a market day for our souls, but not for our bodies.
- 3. That they would not be severe in exacting their debts, but would observe the seventh year as a year of release, according to the law, v. 31. In this matter they had been faulty (ch. 5), and here therefore they promise to reform. This was the acceptable fast, to undo the heavy burden, and to let the oppressed go free, Isa. 58:6. It was in the close of the day of expiation that the jubilee trumpet sounded. It was for the neglect of observing the seventh year as a year of rest for the land that God had made it enjoy its sabbaths seventy years (Lev. 26:35), and therefore they covenanted to observe that law. Those are stubborn children indeed that will not amend the fault for which they have been particularly corrected.

Neh 10:32-39

Having covenanted against the sins they had been guilty of, they proceed in obliging themselves to revive and observe the duties they had neglected. We must not only cease to do evil, but learn to do well.

I. It was resolved, in general, that the temple service should be carefully kept up, that the work of the house of their God should be done in its season, according to the law, v. 33. Let not any people expect the blessing of God unless they make conscience of observing his ordinances and keeping up the public worship of him. Then it is likely to go well with our houses when care is taken that the work of God's house go on well. It was likewise resolved that they would never forsake the house of their God (v. 39), as they and their fathers had done, would not forsake it for the house of any other god, or for the high places, as idolaters did, nor forsake it for their farms and merchandises, as those did that were atheistical and profane. Those that forsake the worship of God forsake God.
II. It was resolved, in pursuance of this, that they would liberally maintain the temple service, and not starve it. The priests were ready to do their part in all the work of God's house, if the people would do theirs, which was to find them with materials to work upon. Now here it was agreed and concluded,
- 1. That a stock should be raised for the furnishing of God's table and altar plentifully. Formerly there were treasures in the house of the Lord for this purpose, but these were gone, and there was no settled fund to supply the want of them. It was a constant charge to provide show-bread for the table, two lambs for the daily offerings, four for the sabbaths, and more, and more costly, sacrifices for other festivals, occasional sin-offerings, and meat-offerings, and drink-offerings for them all. They had no rich king to provide these, as Hezekiah did; the priests could not afford to provide them, their maintenance was so small; the people therefore agreed to contribute yearly, every one of them, the third part of a shekel, about ten pence a-piece for the bearing of this expense. When every one will act, and every one will give, though but little, towards a good work, the whole amount will be considerable. The tirshatha did not impose this tax, but the people made it an ordinance for themselves, and charged themselves with it, v. 32, 33.
- 2. That particular care should be taken to provide wood for the altar, to keep the fire always burning upon it, and wherewith to boil the peace-offerings. All of them, priests and Levites as well as people, agreed to bring in their quota, and cast lots in what order they should bring it in, which family first and which next, that there might be a constant supply, and not a scarcity at one time and an overplus at another, v. 34. Thus they provided the fire and the wood, as well as the lambs for the burnt-offerings.
- 3. That all those things which the divine law had appointed for the maintenance of the priests and Levites should be duly paid in, for their encouragement to mind their business, and that they might not be under any temptation to neglect it for the making of necessary provision for their families. Then the work of the house of God is likely to go on when those that serve at the altar live, and live comfortably, upon the altar. First-fruits and tenths were then the principal branches of the ministers' revenues; and they here resolved,
  - (1.) To bring in the first-fruits justly, the first-fruits of their ground and trees (Ex. 23:19; Lev. 19:23), the first-born of their children (even the money wherewith they were to be redeemed) and of their cattle, Ex. 13:2, 11, 12 (this was given to the priests, Num. 18:15, 16), also the first-fruits of their dough (Num. 15:21), concerning which there is a particular order given in the prophecy concerning the second temple, Eze. 44:30.
  - (2.) To bring in their tenths likewise, which were due to the Levites (v. 37), and a tenth out of those tenths to the priest, v. 38. This was the law (Num. 18:21-28); but these dues had been withheld, in consequence of which God, by the prophet, charges them with robbing him (Mal. 3:8, 9), at the same time encouraging them to be more just to him and his receivers, with a promise that, if they brought the tithes into the store-house, he would pour out blessings upon them, v. 10. This therefore they resolved to do, that there might be meat in God's house, and plenty in the store-chambers of the temple, where the vessels of the sanctuary were, v. 39. "We will do it (say they) in all the cities of our tillage,' v. 37. In all the cities of our servitude, so the Septuagint, for they were servants in their own land, ch. 9:36. But (as Mr. Poole well observes), though they paid great taxes to the kings of Persia, and had much hardship put upon them, they would not make that an excuse for not paying their tithes, but would render to God the things that were his, as well as to Caesar the things that were his. We must do what we can in works of piety and charity notwithstanding the taxes we pay to the government, and cheerfully perform our duty to God in our servitude, which will be the surest way to ease and liberty in God's due time.

Worthy.Bible » STRONG » Nehemiah » Chapter 10 » Verse 18