_That day, is often used for an indefinite time. (Haydock) --- It is not probable that all this happened when the walls were dedicated. After that event, Nehemias rather went to court, and remained there about ten years. During his absence, many abuses crept in, which he endeavoured to remedy, (ver.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Stranger. Hebrew hereb, "mixture," (Haydock) infidel women and their offspring._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Over this things, &c. Or, he was faulty in this thing, or in this kind. (Challoner) --- He was the source of all this evil. Hebrew, "and before this Eliasib," &c. It is probable that he was a different person from the high priest, (Usher) who had married his grandson to the daughter of Sanaballat,... [ Continue Reading ]
_He. Eliasib, or Tobias. The original is also ambiguous. Eliasib probably permitted Tobias to furnish himself apartments in the temple, where, by law, he was not allowed to enter. Hence the priests, being deprived of their support, were forced to retire. (Calmet) --- Tobias rented the apartments, an... [ Continue Reading ]
_Days. Prefixed (chap. ii. 6.) I asked. Hebrew, "was required to attend by the king," for about ten years. After which period, I returned and found such disorders. Some believe that Nehemias had been at Babylon, a long while before the 32d year of the king._... [ Continue Reading ]
_And I. Nehemias acted as governor, and performed the duty which the high priest neglected. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Storehouses, which had been profaned by the presence of a pagan. (Menochius) --- Sacrifice. Hebrew mincha, "offerings of flour, fruits, and liquors," which were kept in the storehouses, as well as frankincense. Eliasib had caused these things to be removed, to make place for Tobias. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Country. Hebrew, "field," that he might cultivate it, (Haydock) and get food. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Pleaded. Accusing them of treachery, in not opposing the wicked attempt. --- Have we. He placed himself in the number of the guilty, in order to soften the reproach. (Septuagint, &c.) (Calmet) --- "Why is the house of God forsaken?" (Protestants)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_And his. Hebrew, "its offices," and for the good of the sacred ministers. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Treading. Syriac and Arabic, "travelling."_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Tyrians. Who had established themselves there, for the sake of commerce, though the chosen people ought to have kept them at a great distance, for fear of seduction. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Fathers. Though warned by Jeremias, xvii. 21. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_At rest. People travelling no longer. (Calmet) --- Hebrew, "shaded, or in the dark." Before Friday night on, the sabbath commenced, and then the gates were shut. (Haydock) --- On the. Hebrew, "before the sabbath." (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_On you. To punish you, (Calmet) for thus endeavouring to tempt the people. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Gates. The Levites would more conscientiously discharge their duty, (Menochius) and restrain the people, so that they might keep the day holy. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Azotus. In the country of the Philistines._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Half. In the same family, some spoke the Philistine (Vatable) or Phenician language: others the Hebrew; which, though it resembled the other very much, was still sufficiently distinct to be noticed. The children might also speak a jargon, composed of both languages. It is probable that, at this tim... [ Continue Reading ]
_Curse, or excommunicated them, (Calmet) the guilty parents. (Haydock) --- Shaved. Hebrew and Septuagint, "plucked off their hair," by the roots, for greater torment. Sometimes quicklime was then sprinkled on the head, (Calmet) as adulterers were treated at Athens. Schol. Aristoph.[Aristophanes?] --... [ Continue Reading ]
_Also be. Hebrew, "hearken unto you;" (Protestants; Haydock) or "Have ye not heard the evils which fell upon our fathers (Calmet) for doing all?" &c. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_One. Manasses, brother of Jaddus. (Josephus, [Antiquities?] xi. 8.) --- Sanaballet, noted for his enmity towards the Jews, chap. vi. 1. He obtained leave of Alexander to build the famous temple on Garizim, for this son-in-law. He must have been 150 yeas old when Alexander laid siege to Tyre, the ye... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wood. Conformably to the regulations mentioned, chap. x. 34. (Calmet) --- Good. A just man may confidently beg for a reward. (Worthington) --- Amen, is not found in Hebrew, &c. The Holy Spirit records the praises of Nehemias, Ecclesiasticus xlix. 15. His political and moral virtues must ever assign... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER XIII.... [ Continue Reading ]