rent my garment, &c. These were signs of inward mourning. See Ezra 9:5 . Jos 7:6 . 1 Samuel 4:12 . 2 Samuel 1:2 ; 2Sa 13:31 . 2 Kings 18:37 . Job 1:20 . Matthew 26:65 .
astonied: i.e. causing astonishment in such as saw me.
a little space = a little while. Hebrew. kim'at. See note on "almost" (Proverbs 5:14 ). Referring to the respite which had been begun by the kings of Assyria (Ezra 6:22 .Nehemiah 9:32; Nehemiah 9:32 ) and continued by the kings of Persia.
remnant to escape. The same which Nehemiah had already inquired about (Nehemiah 1:2 , Nehemiah 1:3 ).
a nail = a peg surely driven in. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for the dwelling secured by it.
holy place = Jerusalem, or sanctuary. Compare Psalms 24:3 .Isaiah 56:7 , &c.
Verse 1
the princes. Not all of them. Compare Ezra 9:2 .
People of Israel. See note on Ezra 2:2 and 1 Kings 12:17 .
people = peoples, or nations.
Canaanites. Contrary to the law (Exodus 34:12-16 . Deuteronomy 7:1-3 ). See App-23 and App-25 .
Verse 2
holy seed , or the sanctuary's seed. See note on Exodus 3:5 and compare Daniel 2:43 .Exodus 19:6 ; Exodus 22:31 .Deuteronomy 7:6 ; Deuteronomy 14:2 .
trespass = defection. Hebrew. ma'al. App-44 . Not the same word as in Ezra 9:6 .
Verse 3
rent my garment, &c. These were signs of inward mourning. See Ezra 9:5 . Jos 7:6 . 1 Samuel 4:12 . 2 Samuel 1:2 ; 2Sa 13:31 . 2 Kings 18:37 . Job 1:20 . Matthew 26:65 .
astonied: i.e. causing astonishment in such as saw me.
Verse 4
trembled at the words, &c. Compare Isaiah 66:2 .
transgression = defection. Hebrew. ma'al. App-44 .
sacrifice = meal offering. Hebrew. minchah. App-43 .
Verse 5
having rent = having already rent.
I feel upon my knees. Compare Ezra 10:1 . 2 Chronicles 6:13 .Daniel 6:10 . Luke 22:41 .Acts 7:60 ; Acts 9:40 ; Acts 20:36 ; Act :21:5 .
the LORD. Hebrew Jehovah. App-4 .
Verse 6
trespass. Hebrew. 'ashma (feminine.) = guilt incurred. The rnasc. = guilt imputed (as in Leviticus 5:7 . Numbers 5:8 . 2 Kings 12:16 . Psalms 68:21 ). App-44 . Not the same word as in Ezra 9:2 . Compare verses: Ezra 9:7 , Ezra 9:13 , Ezra 9:15 .
Verse 7
been delivered. For these selfsame sins! as in Ezra 9:2 . confusion of face. Compare Daniel 9:5-7 .
Verse 8
a little space = a little while. Hebrew. kim'at. See note on "almost" (Proverbs 5:14 ). Referring to the respite which had been begun by the kings of Assyria (Ezra 6:22 .Nehemiah 9:32; Nehemiah 9:32 ) and continued by the kings of Persia.
remnant to escape. The same which Nehemiah had already inquired about (Nehemiah 1:2 , Nehemiah 1:3 ).
a nail = a peg surely driven in. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for the dwelling secured by it.
holy place = Jerusalem, or sanctuary. Compare Psalms 24:3 .Isaiah 56:7 , &c.
Verse 9
we were. Or, supply the Ellipsis "we [are]".
bondmen. The subjects of the Persians (Nehemiah 9:36 ).
mercy = lovingkindness, or grace.
kings of Persia. See App-57 .
to repair the desolations. Compare Nehemiah 1:2 , Nehemiah 1:3 .
give us a wall. This helps to prove that the task of Nehemiah had already been effected. See the Structure on p. 617, notes on p. 618, and App-58 .
Verse 10
what shall we say . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .
Verse 11
by = by the hand of.
filthiness. Showing Ezra's acquaintance with the Pentateuch. Compare Genesis 15:16 . Deuteronomy 9:5 .
Verse 12
nor seek their peace. Reference to Pentateuch: the very words of Deuteronomy 23:6 .
children = sons.
Verse 13
evil. Heb, ra'a'. App-44 .
such deliverance: or, such a reserved survival.
Verse 14
Should we . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis.
Verse 15
we remain yet escaped: or, we are left but a remnant that is escaped. Compare Nehemiah 1:2 , Nehemiah 1:3 .
behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .