Nehemiah 9
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Commentaries
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Now in the twenty and fourth day - The feast of trumpets was on the first day of this month; on the fourteenth began the feast of tabernacles, which, lasting seven days, finished on the twenty-second; on the twenty-third they separated themselves from their illegitimate wives and children; and, on the twenty-fourth, they held a solemn day of fasting and confession of sin, and reading the law, which they closed by renewing their covenants.
Open source ↗A SOLEMN FAST AND REPENTANCE OF THE PEOPLE. (Neh 9:1-3) Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month--that is, on the second day after the close of the feast of tabernacles, which commenced on the fourteenth and terminated on the twenty-second (Lev 23:34-37). The day immediately after that feast, the twenty-third, had been occupied in separating the delinquents from their unlawful wives, as well, perhaps, as in taking steps for keeping aloof in future from unnecessary intercourse with the heathen around them. For although this necessary measure of reformation had been begun formerly by Ezra (Ezra 10:1-17), and satisfactorily accomplished at that time (in so far as he had information of the existing abuses, or possessed the power of correcting them) yet it appears that this reformatory work of Ezra had been only partial and imperfect. Many cases of delinquency had escaped, or new defaulters had appeared who had contracted those forbidden alliances; and there was an urgent necessity for Nehemiah again to take vigorous measures for the removal of a social evil which threatened the most disastrous consequences to the character and prosperity of the chosen people. A solemn fast was now observed for the expression of those penitential and sorrowful feelings which the reading of the law had produced, but which had been suppressed during the celebration of the feast; and the sincerity of their repentance was evinced by the decisive steps taken for the correction of existing abuses in the matter of marriage.
Open source ↗Now in the twenty fourth day of this month,.... The seventh month, the month Tisri or September, two days after the feast of tabernacles was ended: the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes, and earth upon them; which were all outward tokens of mourning and humiliation, see Joe 1:8 which they could not show during the festival; but that being over, they return to it, see Neh 8:9.
Open source ↗On the twenty-second of Tishri was the Hazereth of the feast of tabernacles; on the twenty-fourth the congregation re-assembled in the temple, "with fasting and with sackcloths (penitential garments made of hair; see rem. Joe 1:8) and earth upon them," i.e., spread upon their heads (Sa1 4:12; Sa2 1:2; Job 2:12), - the external marks of deep mourning and heaviness of heart. Neh 9:2 "And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed all their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers." This separation from strangers does not specially relate to the dissolution of the marriages contracted with heathen women, nor to any measures taken that only Israelites should be admitted to this assembly (Bertheau). It was rather a voluntary renunciation of connection with the heathen, and of heathen customs. Neh 9:3 And they stood up (i.e., remained standing) in their place (comp. Neh 8:7), and read in the book of the law of the Lord their God, i.e., listened to the reading of the law, a fourth part of the day (about three hours), and a fourth part (the next three hours) they confessed (made a confession of their sins), and worshipped the Lord their God. This confession and worship is more nearly described vv. 4-37.
Open source ↗We have here a general account of a public fast which the children of Israel kept, probably by order from Nehemiah, by and with the advice and consent of the chief of the fathers. It was a fast that men appointed, but such a fast as God had chosen; for, 1. It was a day to afflict the soul, Isa 58:5. Probably they assembled in the courts of the temple, and they there appeared in sackcloth and in the posture of mourners, with earth on their heads, Neh 9:1. By these outward expressions of sorrow and humiliation they gave glory to God, took shame to themselves, and stirred up one another to repentance. They were restrained from weeping, Neh 8:9, but now they were directed to weep. The joy of our holy feasts must give way to the sorrow of our solemn fasts when they come. Every thing is beautiful in its season. 2. It was a day to loose the bands of wickedness, and that is the fast that God has chosen, Isa 58:6. Without this, spreading sackcloth and ashes under us is but a jest. The seed of Israel, because they were a holy seed, appropriated to God and more excellent than their neighbours, separated themselves from all strangers with whom they had mingled and joined in affinity, Neh 9:2. Ezra had separated them from their strange wives some years before, but they had relapsed into the same sin, and had either made marriages or at least made friendships with them, and contracted such an intimacy as was a snare to them. But now they separated themselves from the strange children as well as from the strange wives. Those that intend by prayers and covenants to join themselves to God must separate themselves from sin and sinners; for what communion hath light with darkness? 3. It was a day of communion with God. They fasted to him, even to him (Zac 7:5); for, (1.) They spoke to him…
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… חֹדֶשׁ (chôdesh, H2320) — the new moon; by implication, a month בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave… צוֹם (tsôwm, H6685) — a fast שַׂק (saq, H8242) — properly, a mesh (as allowing a liquid to run through), i.e. coarse loose cloth or… אֲדָמָה (ʼădâmâh, H127) — soil (from its general redness)
Open source ↗זֶרַע (zeraʻ, H2233) — seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity בָּדַל (bâdal, H914) — to divide (in variation senses literally or figuratively, separate, distinguish, differ,… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… נֵכָר (nêkâr, H5236) — foreign, or (concretely) a foreigner, or (abstractly) heathendom עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) יָדָה (yâdâh, H3034) — physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship… חַטָּאָה (chaṭṭâʼâh, H2403) — an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or… עָוֺן (ʻâvôn, H5771) — perversity, i.e. (moral) evil אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Open source ↗קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) עֹמֶד (ʻômed, H5977) — a spot (as being fixed) קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… סֵפֶר (çêpher, H5612) — properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book תּוֹרָה (tôwrâh, H8451) — a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… רְבִיעִי (rᵉbîyʻîy, H7243) — fourth; also (fractionally) a fourth יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… יָדָה (yâdâh, H3034) — physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship… שָׁחָה (shâchâh, H7812) — to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God)
Open source ↗קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) מַעֲלֶה (maʻăleh, H4608) — an elevation, i.e. (concretely) acclivity or platform; abstractly (the relation or state)… לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi יֵשׁוּעַ (Yêshûwaʻ, H3442) — Jeshua, the name of ten Israelites, also of a place in Palestine בָּנִי (Bânîy, H1137) — Bani, the name of five Israelites קַדְמִיאֵל (Qadmîyʼêl, H6934) — Kadmiel, the name of three Israelites שְׁבַנְיָה (Shᵉbanyâh, H7645) — Shebanjah, the name of three or four Israelites בֻּנִּי (Bunnîy, H1138) — Bunni or Buni, an Israelite שֵׁרֵבְיָה (Shêrêbᵉyâh, H8274) — Sherebjah, the name of two Israelites כְּנָנִי (Kᵉnânîy, H3662) — Kenani, an Israelite זָעַק (zâʻaq, H2199) — to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene… גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi יֵשׁוּעַ (Yêshûwaʻ, H3442) — Jeshua, the name of ten Israelites, also of a place in Palestine קַדְמִיאֵל (Qadmîyʼêl, H6934) — Kadmiel, the name of three Israelites בָּנִי (Bânîy, H1137) — Bani, the name of five Israelites חֲשַׁבְנְיָה (Chăshabnᵉyâh, H2813) — Chashabnejah, the name of two Israelites שֵׁרֵבְיָה (Shêrêbᵉyâh, H8274) — Sherebjah, the name of two Israelites הוֹדִיָּה (Hôwdîyâh, H1941) — Hodijah, the name of three Israelites שְׁבַנְיָה (Shᵉbanyâh, H7645) — Shebanjah, the name of three or four Israelites פְּתַחְיָה (Pᵉthachyâh, H6611) — Pethachjah, the name of four Israelites אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) בָרַךְ (bârak, H1288) — to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the… חָיָה (châyâh, H2421) — to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive שָׁחָה (shâchâh, H7812) — to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God)
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… בָּחַר (bâchar, H977) — properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select אַבְרָם (ʼAbrâm, H87) — Abram, the original name of Abraham יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… אוּר (ʼÛwr, H218) — Ur, a place in Chaldaea; also an Israelite כַּשְׂדִּי (Kasdîy, H3778) — a Kasdite, or descendant of Kesed; by implication, a Chaldaean (as if so descended); also… שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… אַבְרָהָם (ʼAbrâhâm, H85) — Abraham, the later name of Abram
Open source ↗מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… לֵבָב (lêbâb, H3824) — the heart (as the most interior organ); אָמַן (ʼâman, H539) — properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… כָּרַת (kârath, H3772) — to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to… בְּרִית (bᵉrîyth, H1285) — a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) כְּנַעַנִי (Kᵉnaʻanîy, H3669) — a Kenaanite or inhabitant of Kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the Canaanites standing… חִתִּי (Chittîy, H2850) — a Chittite, or descendant of Cheth אֱמֹרִי (ʼĔmôrîy, H567) — an Emorite, one of the Canaanitish tribes פְּרִזִּי (Pᵉrizzîy, H6522) — a Perizzite, one of the Canaanitish tribes יְבוּסִי (Yᵉbûwçîy, H2983) — a Jebusite or inhabitant of Jebus גִּרְגָּשִׁי (Girgâshîy, H1622) — a Girgashite, one of the native tribes of Canaan
Open source ↗רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… עֳנִי (ʻŏnîy, H6040) — depression, i.e. misery אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… זַעַק (zaʻaq, H2201) — a shriek or outcry סוּף (çûwph, H5488) — a reed, especially the papyrus יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the…
Open source ↗נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) אוֹת (ʼôwth, H226) — a signal (literally or figuratively), as aflag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy,… מוֹפֵת (môwphêth, H4159) — a miracle; by implication, a token or omen פַּרְעֹה (Parʻôh, H6547) — Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… זוּד (zûwd, H2102) — to seethe; figuratively, to be insolent עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to…
Open source ↗בָּקַע (bâqaʻ, H1234) — to cleave; generally, to rend, break, rip or open יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre יַבָּשָׁה (yabbâshâh, H3004) — dry ground רָדַף (râdaph, H7291) — to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by) שָׁלַךְ (shâlak, H7993) — to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively) מְצוֹלָה (mᵉtsôwlâh, H4688) — a deep place (of water or mud) אֶבֶן (ʼeben, H68) — a stone עַז (ʻaz, H5794) — strong, vehement, harsh מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
Open source ↗נָחָה (nâchâh, H5148) — to guide; by implication, to transport (into exile, or as colonists) יוֹמָם (yôwmâm, H3119) — daily עָנָן (ʻânân, H6051) — a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e. the nimbus or thunder-cloud עַמּוּד (ʻammûwd, H5982) — a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e. platform לַיִל (layil, H3915) — properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively) אוֹר (ʼôwr, H215) — to be (causative, make) luminous (literally and metaphorically) דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)
Open source ↗יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the… הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) סִינַי (Çîynay, H5514) — Sinai, mountain of Arabia דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) יָשָׁר (yâshâr, H3477) — straight (literally or figuratively) מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… אֶמֶת (ʼemeth, H571) — stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness תּוֹרָה (tôwrâh, H8451) — a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… חֹק (chôq, H2706) — an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage) מִצְוָה (mitsvâh, H4687) — a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law)
Open source ↗יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity שַׁבָּת (shabbâth, H7676) — intermission, i.e (specifically) the Sabbath צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin מִצְוָה (mitsvâh, H4687) — a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law) חֹק (chôq, H2706) — an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage) תּוֹרָה (tôwrâh, H8451) — a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant
Open source ↗Cross-references
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So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and He granted our request.
On the first day of the seventh month, Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could listen and understand.
Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell facedown before the ark of the LORD until evening, as did the elders of Israel; and they all sprinkled dust on their heads.
That same day a Benjamite ran from the battle line all the way to Shiloh, with his clothes torn and dirt on his head.
On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, after you have gathered the produce of the land, you are to celebrate a feast to the LORD for seven days. There shall be complete rest on the first day and also on the eighth day.
When they lifted up their eyes from afar, they could barely recognize Job. They began to weep aloud, and each man tore his robe and threw dust in the air over his head.
Jehoshaphat was alarmed and set his face to seek the LORD. And he proclaimed a fast throughout Judah.
“Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day, and I and my maidens will fast as you do. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish!”
Then the Israelites, all the people, went up to Bethel, where they sat weeping before the LORD. That day they fasted until evening and presented burnt offerings and peace offerings to the LORD.
On the third day a man with torn clothes and dust on his head arrived from Saul’s camp. When he came to David, he fell to the ground to pay him homage.