---
title: "Clarke"
description: "Verse Nehemiah 9:1. Now in the twenty and fourth day — The feast of trumpets was on the first day of this month; on the fourteenth began the feast of tabe"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/nehemiah/9"
---

Verse [Nehemiah 9:1](../../../kjv/nehemiah/9/1). ***Now in the twenty and fourth day*** — The *feast of* *trumpets* was on the *first* day of this month; on the *fourteenth* began the *feast of tabernacles*, which, lasting *seven days*, finished on the *twenty-second*; on the *twenty-third* they *separated* themselves from their *illegitimate wives* and *children*; and, on the *twenty-fourth*, they held a solemn *day of fasting* and *confession* of sin, and reading the law, which they closed by renewing their covenants.

Verse [Nehemiah 9:2](../../../kjv/nehemiah/9/2). ***The seed of Israel separated themselves*** — A reformation of this kind was begun by Ezra, [Ezra 10:3](../../../kjv/ezra/10/3); but it appears that either more were found out who had taken strange wives, or else those who had separated from them had taken them again.
***And stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their**********fathers.*** — They acknowledged that they had been sinners against God throughout all their generations; that their fathers had sinned and were punished; and that they, with this example before their eyes, had copied their fathers' offences.

Verse [Nehemiah 9:3](../../../kjv/nehemiah/9/3). **One*****fourth part of the day*** — As they did no manner of work on this day of fasting and humiliation, so they spent the whole of it in religious duties. They began, says *Calmet*, on the *first* hour, and continued these exercises to the *third hour*; from the *third* they recommenced, and continued till the *sixth* hour; from the *sixth* to the *ninth*; and from the *ninth*, to the *twelfth* or *last* hour.
1. They heard the law read, standing;
2. They prostrated themselves, and confessed their sins;
3. They arose to praise God for having spared and dealt thus mercifully with them.

Verse [Nehemiah 9:5](../../../kjv/nehemiah/9/5). ***Stand up and bless the Lord your God*** — It is the shameless custom of many congregations of people to sit still while they profess to bless and praise God, by singing the *Psalms* *of David* or *hymns* made on the plan of the Gospel! I ask such persons, Did they ever feel the *spirit of devotion* while thus employed? If they do, it must be owned that, by the prevalence of habit, they have counteracted the influence of an attitude most friendly to such acts of devotion.

Verse [Nehemiah 9:6](../../../kjv/nehemiah/9/6). ***Thou preservest them all*** — ואתה מחיה את כלם *vettah mechaiyeh eth cullam*, and thou *givest life* to them all: *and* *the host of the heavens*, לך משתחוים lecha mishtachavim, prostrate *themselves unto thee*. How near is this to the opinion of *Kepler*, that all the heavenly host are *instinct* with *life*, and navigate the great expanse on pinions adjusted to their situation in their respective orbits! But to *preserve in life*, or in *being*, is a very good meaning in the original, which does not necessarily imply *vitality*. We say a *tree* is *alive* when *flourishing*, a *plant* is *dead* when it *withers*, &c.

Verse [Nehemiah 9:7](../../../kjv/nehemiah/9/7). ***Who didst choose Abram*** — See the notes on the passages referred to in the margin.
***The name of Abraham*** — For the explanation of this name, [Genesis 17:5](../../../kjv/genesis/17/5); [Genesis 17:5](../../../kjv/genesis/17/5).

Verse [Nehemiah 9:12](../../../kjv/nehemiah/9/12). ***By a cloudy pillar*** — See the notes on the parallel passages, both here and in the other verses.

Verse 14. ***Madest known unto them thy holy Sabbath*** — They appear to have forgotten this *first* of all the commandments of God, during their sojourning in Egypt.

Verse 17. ***And in their rebellion appointed a captain*** — This clause, read according to its order in the Hebrew text, is thus: *And appointed a captain to return to their bondage in their* *rebellion*. But it is probable that במרים *bemiryam, in their* *rebellion*, is a mistake for במצרים *bemitsrayim, in Egypt*. This is the reading of *seven* of *Kennicott's* and *De Rossi's* MSS., the *Neapolitan* edition of the *Hagiographa*, and the *Septuagint*. It is also the reading in [Numbers 14:4](../../../kjv/numbers/14/4). The clause should undoubtedly be read, *They appointed a captain to return to their bondage in* EGYPT.

Verse [Nehemiah 9:19](../../../kjv/nehemiah/9/19). ***The pillar of the cloud departed not from them*** — מעליהם *mealeyhem*, "from over them." I have already had occasion to observe that this miraculous cloud, the symbol of the Divine presence, assumed *three* different positions while accompanying the Israelitish camp:
1. As a cloud in the form of a *pillar*, it went before them when they journey, to point out their way in the wilderness.
2. As a pillar of *fire*, it continued with them during the *night*, to give them light, and be a rallying point for the whole camp in the night season.
3. As an *extended cloud*, it *hovered over them* in their encampments, to refresh them with its dews, and to keep them from the ardours of the sun.

Verse 21. ***Their clothes waxed not old*** — [Deuteronomy 8:4](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/8/4); [Deuteronomy 8:4](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/8/4).

Verse 22. ***The land of Og king of Bashan.*** — It is most evident that *Sihon* was king of *Heshbon*. How then can it be said that they possessed *the land of Sihon, and the land of the king of Heshbon*? The words *the land of the king of Heshbon* are wanting in two of *De Rossi's* MSS. In another MS. the words *and the land of* are wanting; so that the clause is read, *They possessed the land of* *Sihon, king of Heshbon*. The *Septuagint* has the same reading; the *Arabic* nearly the same, viz., *the land of Sihon, the land of the* *king of Heshbon*. The *Syriac* has, *They possessed the land of* *Sihon, the land of the* KINGS *of Heshbon*. The reading of the text is undoubtedly wrong; that supported by the MSS. and by the *Septuagint* is most likely to be the true one. Those of the *Arabic* and *Syriac* contain at least no *contradictory* sense. The *and* in the *Hebrew* and *our version*, distinguishes *two lands* and *two* *kings*; the *land* of *Sihon* and the *land* of the *king of* *Heshbon*: when it is most certain that only *one land* and *one king* can be meant: but the *vau* may be translated here as it often is, *even*: EVEN *the land of the king of Heshbon*.

Verse 25. ***Became fat, and delighted themselves*** — They became effeminate, fell under the power of *luxury*, got totally corrupted in their manners, sinned against all the mercies of God, and then were destroyed by his judgments. We have an old nervous saying, "*War* begets *poverty, poverty* begets *peace, peace* begets *affluence, affluence* begets *luxury* and *corruption* of *manners*; and hence *civil broils, foreign wars*, and *desolations*." A sensible Roman historian has said the same: "*Imperium facile iis artibus* *retinetur, quibus initio partum est: verum ubi pro* LABORE, DESIDIA; *pro* continentia *et* aequitate, LIBIDO *atque* SUPERBIA *invasere*: fortuna *simul cum* moribus IMMUTATUR."

Verse 27. ***Thou gavest them saviours*** — The whole book of Judges is a history of God's mercies, and their rebellions.

Verse 30. ***Many years didst thou forbear*** — It is supposed that Nehemiah refers here principally to the *ten tribes*. And many years did God bear with them; not less than *two hundred and* *fifty-four* years from their separation from the house of *David*, till their captivity and utter dispersion under *Shalmaneser*; during the whole of which time God invariably warned them by his prophets; or, as it is here said, *by thy Spirit in thy prophets*, which gives us the true notion of *Divine inspiration*. God's Spirit was given to the prophets; and they testified to the people, *according* as they were *taught* and *influenced* by *this* *Spirit*.

Verse 32. ***On our kings, on our princes*** — I believe Nehemiah in this place mentions the whole of *civil society* in its *officers* as they stand related to each other in *dignity*: -
1. KINGS, as supreme.
2. PRINCES.
3. PRIESTS.
4. PROPHETS.
5. The FATHERS, heads or chiefs of tribes and families.
6. The COMMON PEOPLE.
Those who disturb this natural order (for it subsists even in *Britain*) are enemies to the peace of the *whole*, whatever they may pretend to the contrary.

Verse 34. ***Neither have our kings*** — In this verse he acknowledges that the *kings, princes, priests*, and *fathers*, had broken the law: but the *prophets* are left out; for *they* continued faithful to God, testifying by his Spirit against the crimes of all; and this even at the risk of their lives.

Verse 35. ***For they have not served thee in their kingdom*** — Instead of במלכותם *bemalcutham*, "in THEIR kingdom," במלכותך *bemalcuthecha*, in THY kingdom," is the reading of two of *Kennicott's* MSS.; as also of the *Septuagint, Syriac*, and *Arabic*. This is most likely to be the true reading.

Verse 36. ***Behold, we*****are*****servants*** — They had no king of their own: and were under the government of the kings of Persia, to whom they paid a regular tribute.

Verse 37. ***It yieldeth much increase unto the kings*** — Good and fruitful as the land is, yet it profits us *little*; as the chief profits on all things go to the kings of Persia.
***Over our bodies*** — Exacting *personal* and *feudal services* from us, and from our *cattle*; and this not by any *fixed rate*, or *rule*, of so *much rent*, so *much labour*, or *boons*; but *at their* *pleasure*; so that we can neither call our *persons*, our *time*, our *land*, nor our *cattle*, our own: therefore *we are in great distress.* Miserable are the people that live under such a government. Think of this, ye *Britons*! think of your liberties and rights. Compare them with any other nation under heaven, and see what a *balance* is in *your favour*. Almost all the nations of the earth acknowledge Britons the most happy of all men. May I not say,
O fortunatos nimium, sua si bona norint!

"How exceedingly happy would you be, could
you but consider your many advantages!"

Verse [Nehemiah 9:38](../../../kjv/nehemiah/9/38). ***Our princes, Levites, and priests, seal unto it.*** — Persuaded that we have brought all the miseries upon ourselves by our transgressions, *feeling much* and *fearing more*, we make a covenant with thee to devote ourselves to thy service; to do with us as thou pleasest. From this *sealing* we learn that at this time the government of the Jews was a mixed *aristocracy*; composed of the *nobles* for the *civil* department, and the *priests* and *Levites* for the *ecclesiastical*.
This was not mixing the *Church* with the *state*, or the *state* with the *Church*: both were separate, yet both mutually supported each other. The *state* never attempted to model the Church according to its own mind; because the Church had been founded and regulated by God, and neither its *creed* nor its *ordinances* could be *changed*. The *Church* did not meddle with the *state*, to give it *new laws, new ordinances*, or *new officers*. Therefore the one could not be jealous of the other. Where this state of things prevails, every public blessing may be expected. In every *state* God says to the *governors* and the *governed*: "Render to Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and to GOD the things which are GOD's."

```json
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#website","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com","name":"Real Bible Believers","description":"RBB","publisher":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/search?q={search_term_string}","query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/nehemiah/9#primaryimage","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/images/missing.jpg","contentUrl":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/images/missing.jpg","width":640,"height":370,"caption":"Clarke's Commentary -  Nehemiah 9"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/nehemiah/9#webpage","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/nehemiah/9","name":"Clarke's Commentary -  Nehemiah 9","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/nehemiah/9#primaryimage"},"datePublished":null,"dateModified":null,"author":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509"},"description":"Verse Nehemiah 9:1. Now in the twenty and fourth day — The feast of trumpets was on the first day of this month; on the fourteenth began the feast of tabe","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/nehemiah/9#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/nehemiah/9"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/nehemiah/9#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/","name":"Home"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries","name":"Commentaries"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary","name":"Clarke's Commentary"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/nehemiah","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/nehemiah","name":"Nehemiah"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":5,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/nehemiah/9","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/nehemiah/9","name":"9"}}]},{"@type":["Person","Organization"],"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#personlogo","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/android-chrome-512x512.png","contentUrl":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/android-chrome-512x512.png","width":512,"height":512},"logo":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#personlogo"},"sameAs":["https://twitter.com/RBiblebeliever","https://www.facebook.com/RBibleBelievers"]}]}
```