34 And the lots we have caused to fall for the offering of wood, `among' the priests, the Levites, and the people, to bring in to the house of our God, by the house of our fathers, at times appointed, year by year, to burn on the altar of Jehovah our God, as it is written in the law,
and for the wood-offering at appointed times, and for first-fruits. Be mindful of me, O my God, for good.
And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, Nor its beasts sufficient for a burnt-offering.
`And the fire on the altar is burning on it, it is not quenched, and the priest hath burned on it wood morning by morning, and hath arranged on it the burnt-offering, and hath made perfume on it `with' the fat of the peace-offerings; fire is continually burning on the altar, it is not quenched.
and Joshua maketh them on that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the company, and for the altar of Jehovah, unto this day, at the place which He doth choose.
And they distribute them, by lots, one with another, for princes of the sanctuary, and princes of God, have been of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar.
And they cause to fall lots -- charge over-against `charge', as well the small as the great, the intelligent with the learner. And the first lot goeth out for Asaph to Joseph; `to' Gedaliah the second; he, and his brethren and his sons, twelve;
And the heads of the people dwell in Jerusalem, and the rest of the people have caused to fall lots to bring in one out of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts in the cities,
but in those `sacrifices' is a remembrance of sins every year, for it is impossible for blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Wherefore, coming into the world, he saith, `Sacrifice and offering Thou didst not will, and a body Thou didst prepare for me, in burnt-offerings, and concerning sin-offerings, Thou didst not delight, then I said, Lo, I come, (in a volume of the book it hath been written concerning me,) to do, O God, Thy will;'
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Nehemiah 10
Commentary on Nehemiah 10 Matthew Henry Commentary
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,
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,
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.