Albert Barnes Commentary Nehemiah 13
Albert Barnes Commentary
Nehemiah 13
Albert Barnes Commentary
Nehemiah 13
"On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that an Ammonite and a Moabite should not enter into the assembly of God for ever," — Nehemiah 13:1 (ASV)
On that day - Or, “at that time,” as in (Nehemiah 12:44).
The entire Pentateuch is probably meant by “the Book of Moses”.
"And it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude." — Nehemiah 13:3 (ASV)
A separation like that made by Ezra, some 20 years previously (Ezra 10:15–44), seems to be intended. The pagan wives were divorced and sent back, with their offspring, to their own countries.
"Now before this, Eliashib the priest, who was appointed over the chambers of the house of our God, being allied unto Tobiah," — Nehemiah 13:4 (ASV)
The relations of Eliashib, the high priest (Nehemiah 3:1), with Tobiah and Sanballat will account for the absence of any reference to him either in Nehemiah 8–10, or in (Nehemiah 12:27–47).
The chamber - The entire outbuilding, or “lean-to,” which surrounded the temple on three sides (1 Kings 6:5–10).
Allied - that is, “connected by marriage.” Tobiah was married to a Jewish woman (Nehemiah 6:18), who may have been a relation of Eliashib; and his son Johanan was married to another (Nehemiah 6:18), of whom the same may be said.
"had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meal-offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the grain, the new wine, and the oil, which were given by commandment to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the heave-offerings for the priests." — Nehemiah 13:5 (ASV)
The offerings of the priests – that is, “the portion of the offerings assigned for their sustenance to the priests.”
"But in all this [time] I was not at Jerusalem; for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I went unto the king: and after certain days asked I leave of the king," — Nehemiah 13:6 (ASV)
Artaxerxes king of Babylon – See (Nehemiah 1:1). Compare (Ezra 6:22), where Darius Hystaspis is called “king of Assyria.”
After certain days – Or, “at the end of a year,” which is a meaning that the phrase often has (Exodus 13:10); (Leviticus 25:29–30); (Numbers 9:22). Nehemiah probably went to the court at Babylon in 433 B.C., and returned to Jerusalem in 432 B.C.
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