Annotations upon the Holy Bible. Vol. I wherein the sacred text is inserted, and various readings annex'd, together with parallel scriptures, the more difficult terms in each verse are explained, seeming contradictions reconciled, questions and doubts resolved, and the whole text opened / by the late reverend and learned divine Mr. Matthew Poole.

CHAP. V.

1 ANd there was a great cry of the people, and of their wives, against their brethren the Jews a 1.1.

2 For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters are many b 1.2: therefore we take up corn for them c 1.3, that we may eat, and live.

3 Some also there were that said, We have mor∣gaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth d 1.4.

4 There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the kings tribute e 1.5, and that upon our lands and vineyards.

5 Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren f 1.6, our children as their children: and lo, we bring into bondage g 1.7, our sons and our daughters h 1.8, to be ser∣vants, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 our daughters are brought into bondage 〈◊〉〈◊〉, neither is it in our power to re∣deem them i 1.9: for other men have our lands and vine∣yards.

6 And I was very angry when I heard their cry, and these words.

7 Then † 1.10 I consulted with my self, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother k 1.11. And I set a great assembly against them l 1.12.

8 And I said unto them, We, after our ability, have * 1.13 redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were •…•…old unto the heathen m 1.14; and will ye even •…•…ell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us n 1.15? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer.

9 Also I said, It is not good o 1.16 that ye do: ought ye not to walk * 1.17 in the fear of our God, because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies p 1.18?

10 I likewise, and my brethren q 1.19, and my ser∣vants r 1.20 † 1.21 might exact of them money and corn s 1.22: I pray you let us leave off this usury.

11 Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also t 1.23 the hundredth part u 1.24 of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them.

12 Then said they, We will restore them x 1.25, and will require nothing of them y 1.26, so will we do as thou sayest. Then I called the priests z 1.27, and * 1.28 took an oath of them a 1.29, that they should do according to this promise.

13 Also I shook my lap b 1.30, and said, so God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour c 1.31, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he sha∣ken out, and † 1.32 emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise.

14 Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year, even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years d 1.33, I and my brethren e 1.34 have not eaten the bread of the gover∣nour f 1.35.

15 But the former governours g 1.36 that had been be∣fore me, were chargeable unto the people, and had ta∣ken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver h 1.37, yea even their servants bare rule over the peo∣ple i 1.38▪ but so did not I, because of the fear of God k 1.39.

16 Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall l 1.40, neither bought we any land m 1.41: and all my servants were gathered thither unto the work.

17 Moreover, there were † 1.42 at my table an hundred and fifty † 1.43 of the Jews and rulers n 1.44, besides those that came unto us from among the heathen that are about us.

18 Now that which was prepared for me daily, was one ox, and six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days, store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this required not I the bread of the gover∣nour o 1.45, because the bondage was heavy upon this peo∣ple.

* 1.46 Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people p 1.47.

Notes

• a 1.1

  To wit the great and rich ones who had oppressed their Bre∣thren.
• b 1.2

  Which is in itself a Blessing, but to us is turned into a curse.
• c 1.3

  i. e. We are forced by our and their necessities to take up corn, to wit, upon their own unreasonable terms, as is here implied, and plainly expressed in the following Relation. Others, Let us take up, &c. i. e seeing we do the publick work, let provision be made for us and our Children out of the publick stock. But this is no Petition, but a complaint, as will appear.
• d 1.4

  Which might easily happen, both from the multitude of the People now •…•…n & near Ierusalem, and from their building work, which wholly took them up, and kept them from taking care of their own Families, and from the expectation and dread of their Enemies In∣vasion, which hindred them from going abroad to fetch in Provi∣sion, and the People round about from bringing it in to them; or from divers other causes.
• e 1.5

  Which was laid upon them all. See Ezra 4. 13. & 7. 24.
• f 1.6

  We are of the same Nature, and Nation, and Religion with them, although they treat us as if we were Beasts or Heathens, for∣getting both Humanity and Gods Law, Deut. 15. 7.
• g 1.7

  We are compelled to •…•…ell them for our subsistence.
• h 1.8

  Which was an evi∣dence of their great necessity, because their daughters were more tender, and weak▪ and unfit for bond service, and more exposed to injuries than their sons.
• i 1.9

  Which we are allowed to do, Exod. 21. 7. but have not wherewith to do it.
• † 1.10

  〈…〉〈…〉
• k 1.11

  Which was against the plain and positive Law of God. Deut. 23. 19, 20. especially in this time of publick Calamity and Dearth.
• l 1.12

  I called a publick Congregation, both of the Rulers and People, the greatest part whereof were free from this guilt, and therefore more impartial Judges of the matter, aud represented it to them, that the offenders might be convinced, and reform this abuse, if not for Fear of God, or Love of their Brethren, yet at least for the publick shame, and the cries of the poor.
• * 1.13

  Lev. 25. 48.
• m 1.14

  I, and my Brethren, and predecessors, have used our utmost Interest and Power, both with the Kings of Persia, that our Bre∣thren might be redeemed from that bondage into which God had sold them for their •…•…ins; and with particular persons in Babylon, and Persia, and the adjacent parts, whose Bond-slaves the Jews were, and who would not part with them without a price, which we paid for them.
• n 1.15

  Do you expect that we should pay you a price for them, as we did to the Babylonians? Or, must we use as much importunity to solicite you for their Redemption, as we did to their Enemies?
• o 1.16

  i. e. It is a very bad and wicked thing: as this same Phrase is used, Pro. 16. 29. & 17. 26. & 18. 5 & 19. 2. A common Figure, cal∣led Meiosis, where more is understood than is expressed.
• * 1.17

  Lev. 25. 3•…•….
• p 1.18

  Who are round about you, and observe all your Actions, and will loath and reproach both you for such barbarous usage of your Brethren, and Religion for your sakes: Which if you have any Love or Re∣spect either to God, or to your selves, you will prevent.
• q 1.19

  To wit, in Office; those who are employed with me in the Government of this People.
• r 1.20

  In my name, and for my use.
• † 1.21

  Heb. do 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them 〈◊〉〈◊〉. So •…•…r.
• s 1.22

  As a just recompence for our Pains and Care for the publick good; to which we wholly devote our selves, even to the neglect of all our private concerns. But I will not rigorously exact, but do freely remit my own right, which, in those circumstances, it is my duty to do: and therefore you also ought to do so, seeing I lay no burden upon you but what I am willing to bear a part of upon my own Shoulders.
• t 1.23

  Also require not: which is to be supplied out of the next verse, where it is expressed in their answer to, and grant of this desire.
• u 1.24

  Which they required every month for the use of their monies or goods, according to the Custom then used, and after∣wards by the Romans.
• x 1.25

  To wit, the Lands and Houses.
• y 1.26

  For the hundredth part.
• z 1.27

  Either 1. As Delinquents in that kind; or rather as Witnesses; that the Oath being taken before the Priests, who acted in God's Name and stead, the Oath might make the more deep and durable impression upon their consciences. See Numb. 5. 19. 1 King. 1. 8, 31, 32.
• * 1.28

  Jer. 34. 8, 9.
• a 1.29

  Not of the Priests last mentioned, for it doth not ap∣pear that any of them were guilty, and it is absurd to think that they onely were guilty of this extortion, as they must be, if this them belongs to them onely; but of all the Persons who were be∣fore charged with this crime, v. 3, 4. whether Priests or others, as is evident from the text and from the nature of the thing.
• b 1.30

  i. e. The lap or extream parts of my garment, which I first folded together and then shook it and scattered it asunder. This was a form of swearing then in use.
• c 1.31

  i. e. From enjoying what he hath got by his labour.
• † 1.32

  Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉, or void.
• d 1.33

  Not that he continued so long together at Ierusalem, of which see, ch. 2. 6. but that he so long governed Ierusalem by himself when he was present, and in his absence, by a deputy.
• e 1.34

  Either my fellow Officers: or they whom I left in my stead, who as they were to do my work so might have required my rights.
• f 1.35

  i. e. That allowance which by the Laws of God and Nations, and of the King of Persia, the Governours might require for the maintenance of their own dignity and Office and of the publick service.
• g 1.36

  Not Ezra, who was no Governour, but only a Priest sent to teach them and to rectify Church-abuses, nor Zerubbabel, but others between him and Nehemiah, whom he forbears to name, because he designed not to disgrace any Person but only to reform the abuses.
• h 1.37

  Which they required of the people for every day to defray their other expences.
• i 1.38

  i. e. Ruled them with rigour and cruelty: which fault of the servants is charged upon their Masters, the former Governours, because they did not restrain nor punish them.
• k 1.39

  Because I feared to break Gods Commands, or to incur his displeasure by such immoderate and unseasonable Oppressions of the People. This he speaks not to commend himself, but ra∣ther to diminish his Praise, and to shew that this was no heroical Action▪ nor work of Supererogation, to be admired rather than imitated; but only his Duty in that case, which for his own sake he durst not decline; and consequently that it was their Duty also not to relinquish even those rights which in other times and condi∣tions they might lawfully require.
• l 1.40

  Overseeing, directing, and encouraging the workmen, which was my whole business; and this at my own cost.
• m 1.41

  Of our poor Brethren, whose necessities gave me abundant opportunity of en∣riching my self with good bargains. But I durst not build my house upon other mens ruines.
• † 1.42

  commonly, or very frequently.
• † 1.43

  or thereabouts.
• n 1.44

  Not only Jews of the inferiour sort, for whom meaner pro∣visions might suffice, but also their Rulers, such as there were in many places, for whom better provision was fit; who resorted to him upon all occasions, either to pour out their complaints, as here they did; or to give him notice of the Enemies designs; or to receive his orders and directions.
• o 1.45

  But bore it out of my own Estate: which was very considera∣ble, his Office in the Persian Court being a place of very great pro∣fit as well as Honour, and that Profit no doubt continued to him in this his absence from the King. From this great and daily expence it seems more than probable that Nehemiah did not continue here for 12 years together, as some would think, or at least that he did not this all that time, but only during the great and present exigences and distresses of the Jews, which ceased in good part after the Walls were built, and the Hearts of all the Jews revived, and their Ene∣mies dispirited thereby.
• * 1.46

  Ch. 13. 22.
• p 1.47

  As I have done thy People good for thy sake, so do me good for thine own sake; for thou art pleased, and hast promised gra∣ciously to reward us according to our works, and to mete to men the same measure which they mere to others.