Charles Ellicott Commentary Nehemiah 9:2

"And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers." — Nehemiah 9:2 (ASV)

The seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers. —The change to “seed” has here a deep propriety. They carefully avoided the many aliens among them throughout this fast.

And stood and confessed. —It must be remembered that these verses give the programme of what is afterwards filled up: the very praise for which they “stood” was filled with confession.