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.
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 .
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 ( Neh 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 .
Verse 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.
Verse 2
strangers = sons of the foreigner.
sins. Hebrew. chata'. App-44 .
Verse 3
the book of the law. See App-47 .
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah.
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .
Verse 4
stairs = platform. Omit the comma.
Bani, and Chenani. Some codices, with Septuagint, read "sons of Chenani".
Verse 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.
Verse 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.
Verse 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.
Verse 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 .
Verse 9
affliction = humiliation. Compare Exodus 2:23-25 .
Verse 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 .
Verse 11
persecutors = pursuers. mighty waters. Compare Exodus 15:5 .
Verse 12
leddest them = leddest them gently.
cloudy pillar. Compare Exodus 13:21 .
Verse 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 .
Verse 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 ).
Verse 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 .
Verse 16
dealt proudly = fostered pride.
Verse 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.
Verse 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 .
Verse 19
manifold mercies. Compare Nehemiah 9:27 and Psalms 106:45 .
departed not. Compare Exodus 13:21 , Exodus 13:22 .
Verse 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 .
Verse 21
clothes. Compare Deuteronomy 8:4 ; Deuteronomy 29:5 .
Verse 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.
Verse 24
people = peoples.
Verse 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.
Verse 26
slew Thy prophets. See 1 Kings 19:10 . Compare Matthew 23:37 . Acts 7:52 .
testified against = solemnly admonished.
Verse 27
enemies = adversaries.
according to. Some codices, with seven early printed editions and Septuagint, read "in".
gavest them saviours. See Judges 3:9 ,
Verse 28
evil. Hebrew. ra'a'. App-44 .
enemies = oppressors.
according to. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Septuagint, and Vulgate, read "in".
Verse 29
sinned. Hebrew. chata', App-44 .
a man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .
he shall live, &c. See note on Leviticus 18:2 .
Verse 30
in = by the hand of; "hand" put by Fig, Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the ministry or agency of the prophets.
Verse 31
GOD. Hebrew. El. App-4 .
Verse 32
mercy = lovingkindness, or grace.
and. Some codices, with six early printed editions, omit this "and".
Verse 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 .
Verse 35
wicked. Hebrew. ra'a. App-44 .
Verse 36
Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .
for = as to.
Verse 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 ( Neh 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 .