Bible Commentaries

Verse 2

some one of the villages = in Cepherim (Nehemiah 7:29 . Ezra 2:25 ); now Kefr 'Ana, twenty-five miles from Jerusalem; eight miles east of Jaffa; six miles north of Lydda.

plain = valley, or combe.

Ono. Now Kefr 'Ana, five miles north of Lydda (Ezra 2:33 ). Compare Ch. Nehemiah 11:31 .

mischief: to kill or capture Nehemiah. Compare Proverbs 26:24 .

Verse 3

why . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

Verse 4

four times. The enemy takes no denial.

after the same manner. The only sure and safe procedure. Compare 1 Samuel 17:30 .

Verse 5

servant = young man.

open letter. That others might read it.

Verse 6

heathen = nations.

Verse 7

There is a king: or, he hath become king.

Come now, &c. The object still compromise.

Verse 8

feignest. Only here and 1 Kings 12:33 (devise).

Verse 9

made us afraid. Sought to make them afraid, but Nehemiah had no fear. See Nehemiah 6:11 .

NOW. Some codices, with three (and one in margin) early printed editions, read "Thou".

hands. Some codices, with six early printed editions, read "hand".

Verse 10

Shemaiah. A professed friend, but a false prophet. See Nehemiah 6:12 .

shut up = confined, as in prison. Hebrew. 'azar. See Jeremiah 33:1 ; Jeremiah 36:5 .

the house of God. This must have been a temporary structure. Nehemiah would not be without some place wherein to worship. The Altar not yet erected. The Temple not yet built. See notes on Nehemiah 7:4 , and p. 618; also App-58 .

God. Hebrew. Elohim. (with Art.) = the [true] God.

shut = close, so as to conceal.

Verse 11

Should. Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 . Hebrew. sagar. Compare Nehemiah 13:19 .

Verse 12

lo. Figure of speech Asterismos.

Verse 13

Therefore = to this end.

sin. Hebrew. chata '. App-44 .

Verse 14

think. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. Compare Nehemiah 5:19 .

Verse 15

fifty and two days. If finished on twenty-fifth Elul, and work took fifty-two days, it must have been commenced on third of Ab (fifth month). Work rapid, because all materials there: and God's good hand was there upon them.

Verse 17

the noblest = certain nobles. Not necessarily all.

Verse 18

son in law. Connected also with a high priest Eliashib Compare Nehemiah 13:4 .

Meshullam. Compare Nehemiah 3:4 , Nehemiah 3:30 .