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NEHEMIAH CHAPTER 13
Upon the reading of the law separation is made between Israel and the mixed multitude, Neh_13:1-3. Nehemiah, at his return to Jerusalem, causeth the chambers to be cleansed. Neh_13:4-9. He restoreth and reformeth the offices of the priests and Levites in the house of God, Neh_13:10-14; and seeing the violation of the sabbath, he contendeth with the nobles of Judah, Neh_13:15-18. He shutteth the gates, and setteth a watch at them, Neh_13:19-22. The punishment of marrying with strange wives, Neh_13:23-28. Nehemiah’s prayer, Neh_13:29-31.
On that day; not now presently after the dedication of the wall, and gates, and city, but upon a certain day, as that phrase is very commonly used in Scripture without any relation to the time or things mentioned next before it, to wit, when Nehemiah was returned again from the Persian court to Jerusalem, from which he had been absent for some considerable time, in which some errors and abuses had crept in, which now he endeavours to remove.
In the audience of the people; partly because it was not only the priests’, but also the people’s, duty to study and understand God’s law and their own duty; and partly that the people hearing that this was the express mind and will of the great God, might the more willingly yield to the following duties, some of which were attended with difficulty, and required self-denial.
Should not come into the congregation of God, i.e. not be incorporated into the commonwealth of Israel, nor be joined with any Israelite in marriage relation, as appears from Neh_13:3; that practice being a plain comment upon this law. But of this and the next verse, See Poole "Deu_23:3", See Poole "Deu_23:4".