Man; the great king, (Haydock) Artaxerxes. (Calmet) --- Cup-bearer; Athersatha, 1 Esdras ii. 63., and 2 Esdras vii. 65. CHAPTER I. Year. It seems the Persians began the year with Tizri, since both Casleu (the third) and Nisan (the seventh month of the civil year) fall on the twentieth of the king. --- Wine. These kings drunk only that of Syria. (Strabo xv.) --- People of distinction were appointed cup-bearers; and even the children of kings did not esteem the office beneath them. (Herodotus iii. 34.) (Atheneus x. 6.) (Homer, &c.) (Calmet) --- I was. Protestants, "I had not been before-time sad in his presence." (Haydock) --- Hebrew literally, "I was not evil." Septuagint, "an enemy, or stranger." Arabic, "disagreeable." Syriac, "sorrowful." Septuagint also, "there was not another present," chap. v. 6. St. Jerome seems not to have read the negation. (Haydock) Is not. Hebrew, "nothing but sorrow of heart;" (Syriac; Calmet; Protestants) or rather, thou art meditating only treason. Septuagint, "This is nothing but wickedness of heart," (Haydock) which often shews itself on the countenance. The king might suspect that he was giving him poison. (Menochius) --- Hence Nehemias feared, (Calmet) dreading such suspicions, (Haydock) and aware lest the company might frustrate his good design, as contrary to the interests of the crown. (Tirinus) Live; an usual salutation, Daniel iii. 9., and v. 10. So \'c6lian (var. i. 32.) says, "O king Artaxerxes, mayst thou reign for ever." --- Father, ver. 5. He knew that the Persians shewed great regard to the dead, (Calmet; Tirinus) whose bodies they sometimes cover with wax, and keep in their house, (Cic.[Cicero?] Tusc. i.; Alex. Genial iii. 2.) or inter. (Herodotus i. 140.) Heaven, a fervent ejaculation, in secret, (Tirinus) to touch the king's heart, (Calmet) and to enable me to speak in a proper manner. (Menochius) And, &c. In private the queen might dine with her husband, but not in public, Esther i. (Calmet) --- Queen; probably Esther, if she were married to this king. (Menochius) --- But this is uncertain. (Haydock) --- Usher thinks it was Damaspia, mentioned by Ctesias. (Calmet) --- Time, when I should return. Some king eight or ten years, and returned into Judea towards the end of the reign of Artaxerxes, chap. xiii. 6. (Calmet) --- He perhaps asked permission to visit Jerusalem for only a short period, at first, but his presence being deemed necessary, he was permitted to continue there as governor full twelve years. (Menochius) Over; give me a guard, (Haydock) or accompany me to Jerusalem. (Menochius) Forest. Hebrew pordes, "paradise," or garden planted with trees. Pliny ([Natural History?] v. 23.) mentions a "paradise," in C\'9closyria. (Grotius) --- But Nehemias might petition to be supplied with cedars from Libanus, (Tirinus) as they had been given for the temple, 1 Esdras iii. 7. (Haydock) --- Tower. Hebrew bira, means also "a palace or temple." It may designate the porch of the temple, which was 120 cubits high; (2 Paralipomenon iii. 4.; Calmet) though that had been lately repaired by Esdras. (Menochius) --- Others think the doors of the courts are meant, as they were as strong as those of towers. (Vatable) --- They were not yet finished, chap. x. 9. Many believe that (Calmet) Nehemias speaks of the royal palace, which had been almost contiguous to the temple, (Menochius) where he intended to build one for himself, while he should reside in the city. (Tirinus) --- But this might give umbrage to the king. (Calmet) --- He could not, however, intend his favourite to remain without a suitable palace; and the latter seems to have designed not only to repair that which Solomon had founded, but also to erect another house for the governor. (Haydock) --- Good hand; favour, (Menochius) and powerful aid. (Haydock) Horonite, a native, not (Calmet) a petty king (Grotius) of Horonaim, in the country of Moab, Jeremias xlviii. 3. He must have been very old, if he lived till the temple was built at Garizim: (Josephus and Scaliger) but Petau supposes that there were two of the name. --- Servant; an officer appointed over the Samaritans, as well as Sanaballat. The Persian monarchs styled all their subjects servants or slaves. (Calmet) --- Grieved. Thus unbelievers repine when any one endeavours to propagate the truth, (Haydock) or to establish the Church. (Worthington) CHAPTER II. Any man, at Jerusalem, (ver. 16.) though he had informed the king, ver. 8. (Haydock) --- No beast; that none might be alarmed. Valley of Cedron, on the east, (Calmet) or west, near Calvary. (Menochius) (Tirinus) --- Dragon. Hebrew Tannin, or "great fish," which might be kept there, unless the fountain was famous for the appearance of some dragon, or the water proceeded from the mouth of a brazen one. Septuagint have read thanim, "figs." The fountain of Siloc might have many names. (Calmet) --- Viewed. Septuagint, "I walked upon the wall of Jerusalem, which these men are demolishing or clearing away," &c. (Haydock) Aqueduct, or reservoir, made by Ezechias, 2 Paralipomenon xxxii. 30. Torrent of Cedron, having gone round the city. (Calmet) Magistrates. Septuagint, "guards." Seganim denotes various officers. (Calmet) --- Work, or to any workmen. (Haydock) --- None were now employed. (Tirinus) Hand. God had manifested his goodness and power, at the court of Persia. (Worthington) Arabian governor. He afterwards accuses Nehemias, chap. vi. 6. (Calmet) Answered. Septuagint, "returned them an account ....we are his pure servants, and we will build." (Haydock) --- Part, or business, 1 Esdras iv. 4. --- Justice, or right to the city. (Calmet) --- You may mind your own affairs. (Tirinus) --- Remembrance. It was esteemed a high honour to be a citizen of Jerusalem, Psalm lxxxvi. 5. Priest, the third since the captivity, son (Calmet) or brother of Joachim. (Lyranus) --- Flock-gate, near which was probably the miraculous pool, John v. 2. But the situation of these gates is not ascertained. --- Sanctified it, beginning the work (Calmet) with some religious ceremonies. (Junius) --- It was designed to protect God's temple; and therefore, when finished, they dedicated it (Worthington) with solemnity, as they did all the walls, chap. xii. 27. The like custom is observed on laying the foundation-stone of our temples. (Haydock) Sanctified may also mean, cleared away the rubbish. (Vatable) (Tirinus) --- Hundred. Hebrew Mea. --- Cubits is not in the original, Septuagint or Syriac, (Calmet) though it seems to be understood. The ancient Jerusalem had twelve principal gates, four east, north, and west. There were none on the south, where Mount Sion lay. (Tirinus) --- The priests and others undertook this work, considering their eternal as well as their temporal inheritance. (Du Hamel) Old gate, or of the judges, who there assembled. (Lyranus) For the. Hebrew, "for (Calmet; or) unto the throne of the governor on this side of the river." (Protestants) (Haydock) --- These people worked near the palace, which had been built for the Persian governor, who came to administer justice, till the time of Esdras, chap. v. 15., and 1 Esdras vii. 25. Perhaps the governor of Syria had (Haydock) assisted the Jews, unless Nehemias himself be meant. (Menochius) Goldsmith and perfumer, are plural in Hebrew. --- Left, 400 cubits, (Tirinus) as the wall was not demolished, (Menochius) having been repaired by Ozias just before the coming of the Chaldeans, 2 Paralipomenon xxvi. 9. (Tirinus) --- Hebrew, "they pushed forward, paved, (Du Dieu) or fortified Jerusalem unto the broad wall." (Protestants) --- The Septuagint copies vary: some read, they placed, (restored) Greek: etheka. (Complutensian) But the Roman edition has, "they left." (Du Hamel) Street. Protestants, "of the half part," (Haydock) belonging to Benjamin. Sellum was the inspector of that part which fell to the share of Juda, ver. 12., and chap. iv. 19. (Grotius) --- Jerusalem, like all great cities, was divided into parts. (Calmet) House. Thus he would be induced to do the work more perfectly. (Menochius) Built. Hebrew, "repaired the other piece," or the part of the wall which corresponded with half a division, as in the following ver. 12, 15, 24, &c. Alohes, "the enchanter," (Calmet) as he could perhaps enchant serpents. (Grotius) --- Daughters, who forwarded the work, as they had no brothers. (Menochius) Bethacharam, in the tribe of Benjamin, Jeremias vi. 1. King's garden. This fountain is mentioned, Isaias viii. 6., and John ix. 7. --- Steps. The place was steep, chap. xii. 36. Labour, by Ezechias, for a reservoir, 2 Paralipomenon xxxii. 4. --- Mighty men of David, (1 Paralipomenon xi. 10.) or the king's guards, (Calmet) or the garrison. (Menochius) Ceila, in the tribe of Juda. He inspected the workmen from this place. Strong corner, noted for some fortress, tower, (Calmet) or arsenal. (Vatable) (Du Hamel) --- Septuagint, "the ascent connecting the corner." (Haydock) CHAPTER III. Mount Sion. (Menochius) --- Hebrew and Septuagint, "earnestly repaired;" (Haydock) being indignant at the negligence of his neighbour, or undertaking his work with zeal. (Calmet) Plains. Septuagint, "from Chechar," retaining the original term cucar, which means "a plain." It lay in the environs of Jerusalem, chap. xii. 28. --- Of the Jordan, is not in Hebrew, &c. (Calmet) --- They might be natives of that place. (Sa) (Vatable) (Menochius) Ophel. A very strong tower. See 2 Paralipomenon xxvii. 3., and xxxiii. 14. --- East of the great court of the temple, from which it was not remote, as Esdras here harangued the people, chap. xii. 36., and 3 Esdras viii. 1. Out of the gate was a pond of water, (Calmet) for the service of the temple. (Menochius) Horse-gate, by which the king's horses were led to water, at the torrent Cedron. It was near the temple and palace, 4 Kings xi. 16. (Calmet) --- Some Rabbins assert that people were obliged to alight here, and to go on foot to the temple. (Lyranus) After him, Semaia; as the Septuagint, &c., intimate; and not (Calmet) "after me," as if Nehemias spoke of himself, as some Hebrew copies require. (Junius) (Grotius) --- Treasury, or "room." (Pagnin) --- Judgment. Septuagint, "Maphekad." Hebrew mopkod. Protestants, "miphkad," (Haydock) may signify "command, review," &c. We can only guess at the reason of this appellation. (Calmet) --- Perhaps the cause of the Nathinites were here decided, (Menochius) as well as those of others. It seems to be the same with the watch-gate, (chap. xii. 38.) and led not out of the city, but into the street of the Nathinites. (Tirinus) Multitude. Hebrew and Septuagint, "army." (Calmet) --- Silly. Literally, "feeble." (Haydock) --- Sacrifice, at the dedication. (Tirinus) --- Day, in so short a time, as their present vigorous proceedings seem to promise, notwithstanding their feeble condition, and the paucity of their numbers. (Haydock) --- But no: we shall have time enough to hinder them, (Menochius) if the nature of their materials do it not for us. (Haydock) --- Raise. Hebrew, "revive;" a word used for reparations of walls, &c. (Calmet) (Delrio, adag. 221.) --- Septuagint, "heal." God's providence did not permit the enemy to rage, till the work was greatly advanced; so infidels laugh at the attempts of your priests to restore religion, which nevertheless flourishes. (Worthington) Leap over. Hebrew, Septuagint, &c., "break down." (Calmet) --- Bitter sarcasm, which excites the indignation of Nehemias! (Tirinus) Captivity. Since they have not learnt to commiserate others. (Calmet) Face. Punish the obstinate. (Tirinus) --- He does not wish that they may continue impenitent. (Calmet) --- But, on that supposition, he approves of the divine justice, and foretells what will happen. (Estius) --- Revenge was equally criminal under the old law, as it is at present. But the servants of God express their approbation (Calmet) of his inscrutable counsels. The imperative in Hebrew is often used for the future tense. (Haydock) --- Mocked. Protestants, "provoked thee.... before the builders." Septuagint omit most of this and the following verses; having only, "Do not hide thyself, with respect to wickedness." (Haydock) Thereof, all round; as masons were stationed in different parts, (ver. 19.) and not barely on one side of the city. (Calmet) --- Tobias alludes to the present lowness of the walls, ver. 3. (Haydock) Together, to the number of 180,000, according to the Jews; who say that they were terrified, at the excommunication pronounced by 300 priests against them, while 300 young men sounded trumpets; and they fled, leaving Nehemias at liberty to continue the work. It is a pity that we have no foundation for this in Scripture. (Calmet) See 1 Esdras iv. 3. (Haydock) --- The Samaritans durst not openly attack the Jews, who were under the protection of the Persian monarch. But they endeavoured clandestinely to injure them, (Tirinus) and to prepare ambushes. (Haydock) Juda. Some of the Jews, (Menochius) who were dispirited at the greatness of the work and the threats of the enemy. --- Burdens. Septuagint, "of the enemies." Arabic, "the Jews were strengthened, there were many porters, but they could not finish the work." (Calmet) --- Rubbish to be removed. (Tirinus) Ten times, frequently. (Menochius) --- Places, among the Cuthites. --- Whence they. Protestants, "ye return unto us, they will be upon you. " Hebrew, the second person is put for the third, which occurs in the Septuagint, &c., though they refer it to the enemy. "They come up from all places against us." (Haydock) --- De Dieu would translate, "return to us," cultivate the friendship of Sanaballat; or "return home," and leave off this work. The sense of the Vulgate is the most easy, and the best. (Calmet) Place. Hebrew adds, "below." --- Round. Hebrew, "on the hills." (Haydock) --- To remove the apparent contradiction, (Calmet) Protestants supply, " and on the higher places." Septuagint, "in lurking holes," Greek: skepeinois. Remember. These are the most powerful arguments to encourage an army. (Haydock) Their. Hebrew, "my servants," (Menochius) half of whom only wrought, while the rest stood guard. If we adhere to the Vulgate, we must suppose that Nehemias altered his first plan, and ordered almost all to be ready to fight or to labour, as occasion might require, ver. 17. (Calmet) --- In. "Over, (Haydock) or behind all the family of Juda," (Vatable) encouraging the people by word, and sometimes by example. (Tirinus) (Menochius) Sword. Hebrew, "dart." (Calmet) --- The expression seems to be proverbial. So Ovid makes Canacea speak, "My right hand holds the pen, my left the sword;" (Haydock) while I write, I am on the point of killing myself. (Calmet)Dextra tenet calamum, strictum tenet altera ferrum. (Ep. Her.) By me, when the enemy appeared. (Menochius) For us. Yet we must act with prudence and courage. (Haydock) Midst. Before they had gone home. (Calmet) --- Let us. Protestants, "that in the night they may be a guard to us, and labour on the day." (Haydock) Clothes, even to sleep. --- Only. Septuagint (Complutensian), "man and his arms to the water." (Haydock) --- They went armed to fetch water; (Malvenda) or they had their armour and water always at hand. (Junius, &c.) --- Hebrew, "each kept his dart at the water." It may have various senses. (Calmet) --- Protestants agree with the Vulgate, " saving that every one put them off for washing" (Haydock) them, or themselves. (Tirinus)