1 Now those that sealed were, Nehemiah, the Tirshatha, the son of Hachaliah, and Zidkijah,

Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah,

Pashur, Amariah, Malchijah,

Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch,

Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah,

Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch,

Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin,

Maaziah, Bilgai, Shemaiah: these were the priests.

And the Levites: both Jeshua the son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel;

10 And their brethren, Shebaniah, Hodijah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan,

11 Micha, Rehob, Hashabiah,

12 Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah,

13 Hodijah, Bani, Beninu.

14 The chief of the people; Parosh, Pahathmoab, Elam, Zatthu, Bani,

15 Bunni, Azgad, Bebai,

16 Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,

17 Ater, Hizkijah, Azzur,

18 Hodijah, Hashum, Bezai,

19 Hariph, Anathoth, Nebai,

20 Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir,

21 Meshezabeel, Zadok, Jaddua,

22 Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah,

23 Hoshea, Hananiah, Hashub,

24 Hallohesh, Pileha, Shobek,

25 Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah,

26 And Ahijah, Hanan, Anan,

27 Malluch, Harim, Baanah.

28 And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters, the singers, the Nethinims, and all they that had separated themselves from the people of the lands unto the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every one having knowledge, and having understanding;

29 They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes;

30 And that we would not give our daughters unto the people of the land, not take their daughters for our sons:

31 And if the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy it of them on the sabbath, or on the holy day: and that we would leave the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt.

32 Also we made ordinances for us, to charge ourselves yearly with the third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God;

33 For the shewbread, and for the continual meat offering, and for the continual burnt offering, of the sabbaths, of the new moons, for the set feasts, and for the holy things, and for the sin offerings to make an atonement for Israel, and for all the work of the house of our God.

34 And we cast the lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people, for the wood offering, to bring it into the house of our God, after the houses of our fathers, at times appointed year by year, to burn upon the altar of the Lord our God, as it is written in the law:

35 And to bring the firstfruits of our ground, and the firstfruits of all fruit of all trees, year by year, unto the house of the Lord:

36 Also the firstborn of our sons, and of our cattle, as it is written in the law, and the firstlings of our herds and of our flocks, to bring to the house of our God, unto the priests that minister in the house of our God:

37 And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.

38 And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house.

39 For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God.

Commentary

Verse 1

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The covenant, Those who signed it.
Conversion is separating from the course and custom of this world, devoting ourselves to the conduct directed by the word of God. When we bind ourselves to do the commandments of God, it is to do all his commandments, and to look to him as the Lord, and our Lord.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Sealed - Both in their own names, and in the name of all the rest. It may seem strange that Ezra doth not appear among them. But that might be because he was prevented, by some sickness, or other extraordinary impediment. It is true, we meet with Ezra after this, at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, (Nehemiah 12:36) , and therefore he was then freed from this impediment, whatsoever it was.
McArther Bible Commentary
The sealed signatures on the covenant were from the leaders. Surprisingly, Ezra's name is not listed.
Bible Cross References
Nehemiah 1:1 Nehemiah 7:65 Nehemiah 9:38 Nehemiah 10:2

Verse 2

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The covenant, Those who signed it.
Conversion is separating from the course and custom of this world, devoting ourselves to the conduct directed by the word of God. When we bind ourselves to do the commandments of God, it is to do all his commandments, and to look to him as the Lord, and our Lord.
Bible Cross References
Nehemiah 10:1 Nehemiah 10:3

Verse 3

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The covenant, Those who signed it.
Conversion is separating from the course and custom of this world, devoting ourselves to the conduct directed by the word of God. When we bind ourselves to do the commandments of God, it is to do all his commandments, and to look to him as the Lord, and our Lord.
Bible Cross References
1 Chronicles 6:40 1 Chronicles 9:12 Nehemiah 10:2 Nehemiah 10:4

Verse 4

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The covenant, Those who signed it.
Conversion is separating from the course and custom of this world, devoting ourselves to the conduct directed by the word of God. When we bind ourselves to do the commandments of God, it is to do all his commandments, and to look to him as the Lord, and our Lord.
Bible Cross References
Nehemiah 10:3 Nehemiah 10:5

Verse 5

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The covenant, Those who signed it.
Conversion is separating from the course and custom of this world, devoting ourselves to the conduct directed by the word of God. When we bind ourselves to do the commandments of God, it is to do all his commandments, and to look to him as the Lord, and our Lord.
Bible Cross References
Nehemiah 10:4 Nehemiah 10:6

Verse 6

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The covenant, Those who signed it.
Conversion is separating from the course and custom of this world, devoting ourselves to the conduct directed by the word of God. When we bind ourselves to do the commandments of God, it is to do all his commandments, and to look to him as the Lord, and our Lord.
Bible Cross References
Nehemiah 10:5 Nehemiah 10:7

Verse 7

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The covenant, Those who signed it.
Conversion is separating from the course and custom of this world, devoting ourselves to the conduct directed by the word of God. When we bind ourselves to do the commandments of God, it is to do all his commandments, and to look to him as the Lord, and our Lord.
Bible Cross References
Nehemiah 10:6 Nehemiah 10:8

Verse 8

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The covenant, Those who signed it.
Conversion is separating from the course and custom of this world, devoting ourselves to the conduct directed by the word of God. When we bind ourselves to do the commandments of God, it is to do all his commandments, and to look to him as the Lord, and our Lord.
Bible Cross References
Nehemiah 10:7 Nehemiah 10:9

Verse 9

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The covenant, Those who signed it.
Conversion is separating from the course and custom of this world, devoting ourselves to the conduct directed by the word of God. When we bind ourselves to do the commandments of God, it is to do all his commandments, and to look to him as the Lord, and our Lord.
Bible Cross References
Nehemiah 10:8 Nehemiah 10:10

Verse 10

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The covenant, Those who signed it.
Conversion is separating from the course and custom of this world, devoting ourselves to the conduct directed by the word of God. When we bind ourselves to do the commandments of God, it is to do all his commandments, and to look to him as the Lord, and our Lord.
Bible Cross References
1 Chronicles 4:19 Nehemiah 10:9 Nehemiah 10:11

Verse 11

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The covenant, Those who signed it.
Conversion is separating from the course and custom of this world, devoting ourselves to the conduct directed by the word of God. When we bind ourselves to do the commandments of God, it is to do all his commandments, and to look to him as the Lord, and our Lord.
Bible Cross References
2 Samuel 9:12 Nehemiah 10:10 Nehemiah 10:12

Verse 12

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The covenant, Those who signed it.
Conversion is separating from the course and custom of this world, devoting ourselves to the conduct directed by the word of God. When we bind ourselves to do the commandments of God, it is to do all his commandments, and to look to him as the Lord, and our Lord.
Bible Cross References
Nehemiah 10:11 Nehemiah 10:13

Verse 13

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The covenant, Those who signed it.
Conversion is separating from the course and custom of this world, devoting ourselves to the conduct directed by the word of God. When we bind ourselves to do the commandments of God, it is to do all his commandments, and to look to him as the Lord, and our Lord.
Bible Cross References
1 Chronicles 4:19 Nehemiah 10:12 Nehemiah 10:14

Verse 14

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The covenant, Those who signed it.
Conversion is separating from the course and custom of this world, devoting ourselves to the conduct directed by the word of God. When we bind ourselves to do the commandments of God, it is to do all his commandments, and to look to him as the Lord, and our Lord.
Bible Cross References
Ezra 2:6 Nehemiah 10:13 Nehemiah 10:15

Verse 15

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The covenant, Those who signed it.
Conversion is separating from the course and custom of this world, devoting ourselves to the conduct directed by the word of God. When we bind ourselves to do the commandments of God, it is to do all his commandments, and to look to him as the Lord, and our Lord.
Bible Cross References
Nehemiah 10:14 Nehemiah 10:16

Verse 16

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The covenant, Those who signed it.
Conversion is separating from the course and custom of this world, devoting ourselves to the conduct directed by the word of God. When we bind ourselves to do the commandments of God, it is to do all his commandments, and to look to him as the Lord, and our Lord.
Bible Cross References
Ezra 8:6 Nehemiah 10:15 Nehemiah 10:17

Verse 17

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The covenant, Those who signed it.
Conversion is separating from the course and custom of this world, devoting ourselves to the conduct directed by the word of God. When we bind ourselves to do the commandments of God, it is to do all his commandments, and to look to him as the Lord, and our Lord.
Bible Cross References
Nehemiah 10:16 Nehemiah 10:18

Verse 18

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The covenant, Those who signed it.
Conversion is separating from the course and custom of this world, devoting ourselves to the conduct directed by the word of God. When we bind ourselves to do the commandments of God, it is to do all his commandments, and to look to him as the Lord, and our Lord.
Bible Cross References
1 Chronicles 4:19 Nehemiah 10:17 Nehemiah 10:19

Verse 19

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The covenant, Those who signed it.
Conversion is separating from the course and custom of this world, devoting ourselves to the conduct directed by the word of God. When we bind ourselves to do the commandments of God, it is to do all his commandments, and to look to him as the Lord, and our Lord.
Bible Cross References
Nehemiah 10:18 Nehemiah 10:20

Verse 20

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The covenant, Those who signed it.
Conversion is separating from the course and custom of this world, devoting ourselves to the conduct directed by the word of God. When we bind ourselves to do the commandments of God, it is to do all his commandments, and to look to him as the Lord, and our Lord.
Bible Cross References
Nehemiah 10:19 Nehemiah 10:21

Verse 21

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The covenant, Those who signed it.
Conversion is separating from the course and custom of this world, devoting ourselves to the conduct directed by the word of God. When we bind ourselves to do the commandments of God, it is to do all his commandments, and to look to him as the Lord, and our Lord.
Bible Cross References
Nehemiah 3:4 Nehemiah 10:20 Nehemiah 10:22

Verse 22

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The covenant, Those who signed it.
Conversion is separating from the course and custom of this world, devoting ourselves to the conduct directed by the word of God. When we bind ourselves to do the commandments of God, it is to do all his commandments, and to look to him as the Lord, and our Lord.
Bible Cross References
Nehemiah 10:21 Nehemiah 10:23

Verse 23

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The covenant, Those who signed it.
Conversion is separating from the course and custom of this world, devoting ourselves to the conduct directed by the word of God. When we bind ourselves to do the commandments of God, it is to do all his commandments, and to look to him as the Lord, and our Lord.
Bible Cross References
Nehemiah 7:2 Nehemiah 10:22 Nehemiah 10:24

Verse 24

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The covenant, Those who signed it.
Conversion is separating from the course and custom of this world, devoting ourselves to the conduct directed by the word of God. When we bind ourselves to do the commandments of God, it is to do all his commandments, and to look to him as the Lord, and our Lord.
Bible Cross References
Nehemiah 10:23 Nehemiah 10:25

Verse 25

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The covenant, Those who signed it.
Conversion is separating from the course and custom of this world, devoting ourselves to the conduct directed by the word of God. When we bind ourselves to do the commandments of God, it is to do all his commandments, and to look to him as the Lord, and our Lord.
Bible Cross References
Nehemiah 10:24 Nehemiah 10:26

Verse 26

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The covenant, Those who signed it.
Conversion is separating from the course and custom of this world, devoting ourselves to the conduct directed by the word of God. When we bind ourselves to do the commandments of God, it is to do all his commandments, and to look to him as the Lord, and our Lord.
Bible Cross References
1 Samuel 14:3 Nehemiah 10:25 Nehemiah 10:27

Verse 27

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The covenant, Those who signed it.
Conversion is separating from the course and custom of this world, devoting ourselves to the conduct directed by the word of God. When we bind ourselves to do the commandments of God, it is to do all his commandments, and to look to him as the Lord, and our Lord.
Bible Cross References
Nehemiah 10:26 Nehemiah 10:28

Verse 28

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The covenant, Those who signed it.
Conversion is separating from the course and custom of this world, devoting ourselves to the conduct directed by the word of God. When we bind ourselves to do the commandments of God, it is to do all his commandments, and to look to him as the Lord, and our Lord.
McArther Bible Commentary
Nethinim. See note on Ezr 2:43-54. who had separated themselves. These are those who (1) had followed the demand of Ezra and Nehemiah to divorce pagan spouses or (2) had been left in the land but never joined themselves to any heathen, thus remaining separate. Intermarriage with the nations had previously precipitated an influence in Israel which had culminated in Babylonian slavery, thus playing a major role in Israel's unfaithfulness to the covenant.
Bible Cross References
Ezra 2:36 Ezra 6:21 Nehemiah 9:2 Nehemiah 10:27 Nehemiah 13:3

Verse 29

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The covenant, Those who signed it.
Conversion is separating from the course and custom of this world, devoting ourselves to the conduct directed by the word of God. When we bind ourselves to do the commandments of God, it is to do all his commandments, and to look to him as the Lord, and our Lord.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Their nobles - The commonality agreed with the nobles in this good work, great men never look so great, as when they encourage religion and are examples of it: and they would by that, as much as any thing, make an interest in the most valuable of their inferiors, who would cleave to them closer than they can imagine. Observe their nobles are called their brethren; for in the things of God, rich and poor, high and low meet together. They cleave - They ratified what the others had done in their names, declaring their assent to it.
McArther Bible Commentary
a curse and an oath. Covenants characteristically were ratified by an oath ceremony in which the parties swore to the terms of the covenant. A curse rite was often included wherein the slaughtering of an animal indicated similar consequences for the covenant breaker. Israel's pledged adherence to the law was thus solemnly affirmed.
Bible Cross References
Numbers 5:21 Nehemiah 5:12 Nehemiah 9:38 Nehemiah 13:25 Psalm 119:106 Jeremiah 34:15

Verse 30

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The covenant, Those who signed it.
Conversion is separating from the course and custom of this world, devoting ourselves to the conduct directed by the word of God. When we bind ourselves to do the commandments of God, it is to do all his commandments, and to look to him as the Lord, and our Lord.
McArther Bible Commentary
not give our daughters … nor take their daughters. Parents controlled marriages, so this part of the covenant came from them. Again, it empasized the serious sin of marrying a heathen from an idolatrous people (see Ezra 10).
Bible Cross References
Exodus 34:16 Deuteronomy 7:3 Nehemiah 13:23 Nehemiah 13:25 Nehemiah 13:30

Verse 31

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The covenant, Those who signed it.
Conversion is separating from the course and custom of this world, devoting ourselves to the conduct directed by the word of God. When we bind ourselves to do the commandments of God, it is to do all his commandments, and to look to him as the Lord, and our Lord.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
People of the land - The Heathens. On the sabbath - They that covenant to keep all the commandments of God, must particularly covenant to keep the sabbath holy. For the profanation of this is a sure inlet to all manner of profaneness.
Bible Cross References
Exodus 23:10 Exodus 23:11 Leviticus 25:1 Deuteronomy 15:1 Deuteronomy 15:2 Nehemiah 5:12 Nehemiah 13:15

Verse 32

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Their engagement to sacred rites.
Having covenanted against the sins of which they had been guilty, they obliged themselves to observe the duties they had neglected. We must not only cease to do evil, but learn to do well. Let not any people expect the blessing of God, unless they keep up public worship. It is likely to go well with our houses, when care is taken that the work of God's house goes on well. When every one helps, and every one gives, though but little, toward a good work, the whole will come to be a large sum. We must do what we can in works of piety and charity; and whatever state we are placed in, cheerfully perform our duty to God, which will be the surest way to ease and liberty. As the ordinances of God are the appointed means of support to our souls, the believer will not grudge the expense; yet most people leave their souls to starve.
McArther Bible Commentary
The remainder of the conditions the people made in their covenant involved matters of the temple.
Bible Cross References
Matthew 17:24 Exodus 30:11

Verse 33

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Their engagement to sacred rites.
Having covenanted against the sins of which they had been guilty, they obliged themselves to observe the duties they had neglected. We must not only cease to do evil, but learn to do well. Let not any people expect the blessing of God, unless they keep up public worship. It is likely to go well with our houses, when care is taken that the work of God's house goes on well. When every one helps, and every one gives, though but little, toward a good work, the whole will come to be a large sum. We must do what we can in works of piety and charity; and whatever state we are placed in, cheerfully perform our duty to God, which will be the surest way to ease and liberty. As the ordinances of God are the appointed means of support to our souls, the believer will not grudge the expense; yet most people leave their souls to starve.
Bible Cross References
Colossians 2:16 Leviticus 24:5 Leviticus 24:6 2 Chronicles 2:4

Verse 34

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Their engagement to sacred rites.
Having covenanted against the sins of which they had been guilty, they obliged themselves to observe the duties they had neglected. We must not only cease to do evil, but learn to do well. Let not any people expect the blessing of God, unless they keep up public worship. It is likely to go well with our houses, when care is taken that the work of God's house goes on well. When every one helps, and every one gives, though but little, toward a good work, the whole will come to be a large sum. We must do what we can in works of piety and charity; and whatever state we are placed in, cheerfully perform our duty to God, which will be the surest way to ease and liberty. As the ordinances of God are the appointed means of support to our souls, the believer will not grudge the expense; yet most people leave their souls to starve.
McArther Bible Commentary
The carrying of the wood for the constantly burning altar (Lev 6:12 ff.) had formerly been the duty of the Nethinim, but few of them had returned from Babylon (Neh 7:60), so more people were chosen to assist in this task.
Bible Cross References
Acts 1:26 Nehemiah 11:1 Nehemiah 13:31

Verse 35

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Their engagement to sacred rites.
Having covenanted against the sins of which they had been guilty, they obliged themselves to observe the duties they had neglected. We must not only cease to do evil, but learn to do well. Let not any people expect the blessing of God, unless they keep up public worship. It is likely to go well with our houses, when care is taken that the work of God's house goes on well. When every one helps, and every one gives, though but little, toward a good work, the whole will come to be a large sum. We must do what we can in works of piety and charity; and whatever state we are placed in, cheerfully perform our duty to God, which will be the surest way to ease and liberty. As the ordinances of God are the appointed means of support to our souls, the believer will not grudge the expense; yet most people leave their souls to starve.
McArther Bible Commentary
Laws for all the offerings and tithes were reinstated so as not to "neglect the house of our God" (Neh 10:39).
Bible Cross References
Exodus 23:19 Exodus 34:26 Deuteronomy 26:2 Ezekiel 44:30

Verse 36

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Their engagement to sacred rites.
Having covenanted against the sins of which they had been guilty, they obliged themselves to observe the duties they had neglected. We must not only cease to do evil, but learn to do well. Let not any people expect the blessing of God, unless they keep up public worship. It is likely to go well with our houses, when care is taken that the work of God's house goes on well. When every one helps, and every one gives, though but little, toward a good work, the whole will come to be a large sum. We must do what we can in works of piety and charity; and whatever state we are placed in, cheerfully perform our duty to God, which will be the surest way to ease and liberty. As the ordinances of God are the appointed means of support to our souls, the believer will not grudge the expense; yet most people leave their souls to starve.
Bible Cross References
Exodus 13:2 Numbers 3:13

Verse 37

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Their engagement to sacred rites.
Having covenanted against the sins of which they had been guilty, they obliged themselves to observe the duties they had neglected. We must not only cease to do evil, but learn to do well. Let not any people expect the blessing of God, unless they keep up public worship. It is likely to go well with our houses, when care is taken that the work of God's house goes on well. When every one helps, and every one gives, though but little, toward a good work, the whole will come to be a large sum. We must do what we can in works of piety and charity; and whatever state we are placed in, cheerfully perform our duty to God, which will be the surest way to ease and liberty. As the ordinances of God are the appointed means of support to our souls, the believer will not grudge the expense; yet most people leave their souls to starve.
Bible Cross References
Romans 11:16 Leviticus 23:17 Leviticus 27:30 Numbers 18:21 Deuteronomy 14:22 Nehemiah 13:5 Nehemiah 13:9 Nehemiah 13:10 Nehemiah 13:12

Verse 38

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Their engagement to sacred rites.
Having covenanted against the sins of which they had been guilty, they obliged themselves to observe the duties they had neglected. We must not only cease to do evil, but learn to do well. Let not any people expect the blessing of God, unless they keep up public worship. It is likely to go well with our houses, when care is taken that the work of God's house goes on well. When every one helps, and every one gives, though but little, toward a good work, the whole will come to be a large sum. We must do what we can in works of piety and charity; and whatever state we are placed in, cheerfully perform our duty to God, which will be the surest way to ease and liberty. As the ordinances of God are the appointed means of support to our souls, the believer will not grudge the expense; yet most people leave their souls to starve.
Bible Cross References
Numbers 18:26 Nehemiah 13:12 Nehemiah 13:13

Verse 39

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Their engagement to sacred rites.
Having covenanted against the sins of which they had been guilty, they obliged themselves to observe the duties they had neglected. We must not only cease to do evil, but learn to do well. Let not any people expect the blessing of God, unless they keep up public worship. It is likely to go well with our houses, when care is taken that the work of God's house goes on well. When every one helps, and every one gives, though but little, toward a good work, the whole will come to be a large sum. We must do what we can in works of piety and charity; and whatever state we are placed in, cheerfully perform our duty to God, which will be the surest way to ease and liberty. As the ordinances of God are the appointed means of support to our souls, the believer will not grudge the expense; yet most people leave their souls to starve.
Bible Cross References
Deuteronomy 12:6 2 Kings 7:10 Nehemiah 13:10 Nehemiah 13:11