Good. A good conscience confidently hopeth for a reward. (Worthington) CHAPTER V. Make. Protestants, "meet together." (Haydock) --- When the adversaries of faith find themselves unable to suppress it, they offer peace: so when Protestants began, and where they are still weak, they would have none persecuted for any opinions in religious matters; "but where they are strong they hardly grant toleration to Catholics." (Worthington) --- This has been no where more observable than in these [British] islands, where the spirit of persecution has not yet subsided, though banished from most other countries. See Dr. Milner's 4th let. to a Preb.; Debates in Parl. 1810, &c. (Haydock) --- Villages. Most of the Latin editions, before Sixtus V read, in vitulis in campo uno, (Calmet) "with sacrifices of calves in some one field." (Haydock) --- Perhaps Cephirim, (Tirinus) or copirim, "villages," (Haydock) may be the name of a place in the plain of Ono, (Tirinus) which is styled the valley of craftsmen, (chap. xi. 35.; Calmet) in the tribe of Benjamin, near the Jordan. (Adrichomius) --- Mischief, by taking or killing. (Menochius) You. This was one, (Haydock) though not the principal reason which hindered him. It is often adviseable not to seem to suspect any evil. Letter. Hebrew, Septuagint, and Arabic add, "open:" but this word is not in Syriac. The letter might be an order to appear, or might be left open to signify that the bearer was a man of confidence, from whom Nehemias might receive any farther information; unless it was sent in this manner out of contempt. --- Gossem, the Arabian governor, chap. ii. 19. (Calmet) Prophets. This was false; though, no doubt, the true prophets who lived at that time, would promote the laudable undertakings of Nehemias. (Haydock) --- To counteract their influence, the enemies hired Semaia and Noadias, ver. 10., and 14. --- Together, that thou mayst clear thyself; (Vatable) or that we may repress these rumors, lest the king should suspect us of any connivance. The first sense appears to be preferable. Nehemias did not take the information as a piece of civility. (Calmet) --- The enemies left it ambiguous, whether they would not join their forces with his, in case he meant to revolt. (Menochius) I. Hebrew, "Now, O Lord, strengthen my hands; (Junius, &c.) or, "now strengthening my hands, (Calmet) I went, " &c. Septuagint, &c., agree with the Vulgate. (Haydock) Went, being invited. (Tirinus) --- Semaia, of the twenty-third course of priests, 1 Paralipomenon xxiv. 18. (Menochius) --- Privately. Hebrew, "who was shut up," like a recluse, (Haydock) to deceive the people, by the appearance of superior sanctity, and by an imitation of the true prophets. (Calmet) --- Some translate hatsur, "bound by vow," (1 Kings xxi. 7.) to protect the governor; (Malvenda) but this seems too far-fetched. (Calmet) Should. Literally, "Does one like me retire from his post? And who like me shall enter the temple and live?" (Haydock) --- It is unlawful for a layman to flee into the part of the temple assigned to the priests. Yet into this he had been invited, as the court of Israel was not perhaps yet secured. Those who suppose that Nehemias was a priest, say (Calmet) that he refused to flee, lest he should intimidate the people by his cowardly departure. (Tirinus) (Menochius) --- Semaia might also have a design upon his life, when they should be alone. Understood, by the nature of the suggestion, and the manner in which he heard the refusal. Aggeus, or some of the true prophets, might also inform him, (Calmet) or a supernatural light irradiated his mind, unless human sagacity sufficed. (Tirinus) (Menochius) Sin, by taking any false step, so as to offend the people. Prophet. Hebrew, "the prophetess." (Calmet) --- Protestants, "My God, think thou upon Tobiah,...and on the prophetess Noadiah." Elul, the last of the civil year, corresponding with our August and September, when the walls were dedicated, chap. xii. 27. --- Days. Josephus ([Antiquities?] xi. 5.) says, "two years and three (Greek four) months" (Haydock) had been spent in perfecting the work. (Cajetan) --- Others date from the reception of the letter, ver. 5. (Vatable) --- But the work only lasted the time here specified, as the materials were at hand, and some of the walls were standing, while the rocks defended other parts; and the city was not then so large as it was afterwards. (Calmet) --- The whole people wrought almost day and night, and Nehemias encouraged them with all his power. (Tirinus) --- Thus Alexander the Great built the walls of New Alexandria, on the Tanais, 60 stadia, or near 6000 paces (Calmet) long, in less than twenty days; (Tirinus) and C\'e6sar perfected other works, before Alise, &c., with equal expedition. (Bel. Gal. i., and vii.) --- The Romans, at the last siege of Jerusalem, surrounded the city with a wall 5000 paces long, and with thirteen towers, in three days. (Josephus, Jewish Wars vi. 13.) (Calmet) Mosollam, one of the builders, chap. iii. 4. (Menochius) --- These two powerful men had consequently acted contrary to the laws of God, and the covenant of Esdras, with respect to marriages. They might fear the resentment of the zealous governor. Dangers from false brethren, (2 Corinthians xi. 26.) wars without, and fears within, generally assail the servants of God. (Haydock) CHAPTER VI. House: "the citadel;" (Tigurin) "palace." (Vatable) --- The Septuagint retain the original, Beria, (Haydock) which signifies a palace, (Pagnin) concerning which Nehemias had spoken, chap. ii. 8. (Menochius) --- But as it was not yet built, the house, being placed alone, more properly signifies the temple. We read of Zacharias and Jehiel, who occupied the same post (Calmet) as Hananias, 2 Paralipomenon xxxv. 8. (Haydock) He was next to Eliasib, the high priest. (Calmet) Sun. Literally, "the heat of the sun," or perfect daylight. (Haydock) --- They. Syriac and Arabic, "while it was still day," (Calmet) or the sun shone. Before dusk the gates were shut, to prevent any improper person from entering. (Haydock) --- House, on the walls. (Calmet) --- These things protect a city; as grace a guard over the senses, and watchfulness do the soul. (Worthington) Not built, sufficient for so great a multitude. (Calmet) --- They lodged under tents, or in huts. (Haydock) Heart, inspired me to provide inhabitants for the city, as was afterwards done by lot, chap. xi. (Tirinus) --- Written. Hence it seems evident that Nehemias here only transcribes this ancient record, of those who came under Zorobabel, and consequently this chapter sought to agree with 1 Esdras ii., as well as with 3 Esdras v. 9., (Haydock) which is now strangely corrupted; so that it can throw no light upon the matter. (Calmet) --- Some think that various catalogues were taken, at Babylon, at the first coming to Jerusalem, (Menochius) and at the dedication of the temple; (Tirinus) and that Nehemias refer to a different one from that of Esdras. (Sa) (Lucas) (Tirinus) --- Others suppose that changes were introduced, as the families were increased or diminished, in the time of Nehemias; (Tirinus) who, therefore, judged it necessary to write a fresh catalogue, but only adjusted the old one to the present circumstances, including probably the names of those who had returned with Esdras, or with himself. (Calmet) --- This seems contrary to the text, a book of, &c., and it would perhaps be as well to allow that the variations arise from transcribers, as all allow that many of the names and numbers are corrupted. (Haydock) --- The similarity of Hebrew letters for different numbers might easily occasion this; as we cannot suppose but Esdras would be able to give the total of sixty particular sums. (Watson, let. 5.) CHAPTER VII. Other Nebo. We find no first mentioned; but in the ancient Latin edition, Nebo occurred instead of Geba, ver. 30. See 1 Esdras ii. 29. Septuagint and Arabic omit, "the other." This Nebo may be Nob, or Nobe, in the tribe of Benjamin. (Calmet) The sons; or, "who were the sons of Oduia." (Haydock) Athersatha; Nehemias, (Calmet) as he is called in Chaldean, 1 Esdras ii. 63. (Menochius) Their. Hebrew, Roman Septuagint, Syriac and Arabic omit this verse; but it is found in the Alexandrian Septuagint and even in the Rab. Bible, printed at Venice, 1564, as well as in the 1st and 3rd Esdras, (Calmet) and it is inserted by Protestants. (Haydock) Hitherto. This is not in the original, or in the other versions. It is inserted in the margin of some Latin manuscripts, and entirely omitted in others of great authority. The gloss might have been placed after ver. 64. (Calmet) --- Yet some of the following verses seem also to be copied from 1 Esdras. (Haydock) --- St. Jerome informs us from what sources the work was compiled, which is all declared canonical by the Church, (Worthington) whether written by Esdras or by Nehemias. (Haydock) Athersatha; that is, Nehemias, as appears from chap. viii. 9. Either that he was so called at the court of the king of Persia, where he was cup-bearer, or that, as some think, this name signifies governor; and he was at that time governor of Judea. (Challoner) --- Roman Septuagint insinuates that the princes gave these things "to Nehemias." (Calmet) --- Alexandrian Septuagint, "They gave for the work, unto Athersatha." --- Protestants, "The Tirshatha gave," &c. (Haydock) --- Thersa means, "he fed," and satha, "he caused to drink." (Tirinus) --- The A, at the beginning, is only the article. (Haydock) Were in, or had been at home, (Haydock) after the dedication of the walls, (Calmet) till they assembled (Haydock) at the beginning of the civil year, on the feast of trumpets, which was a day of rejoicing, (ver. 9., and Numbers xxix. 1.) the festival of the new moon. (Riberia) (Menochius) --- Gate, near the temple, chap. iii. 26. (Calmet) --- Moses; the pentateuch. (Menochius) --- He is not desired to restore what was lost. (Tirinus) --- As many copies had been preserved by the prophets, which Esdras revised. (Worthington) Women, who were in a separate place. --- Understand, being come to the use of reason. (Calmet) In plainly. Protestants, "therein, before the street." (Haydock) --- Esdras probably read select pieces from Leviticus, &c., but principally from Deuteronomy. (Menochius) Step. Hebrew, "wooden tower." (Calmet) --- Protestants, "pulpit," (Haydock) made in the form of a cup," (Calmet) like the cior, or tribune of Solomon, 2 Paralipomenon vi. 13. --- Mosollam. We should imagine that this was not the person who had given his daughter in marriage to the son of Tobias, chap. vi. 18. (Haydock) Stood, out of respect, as we do while the gospel is read. See Numbers xxiii. 18. (Calmet) Understood, by those who were near enough, and were skilled in Hebrew, (Haydock) though many began to forget that language; (chap. xiii. 24.) and for their benefit, an explanation was given in Chaldean, (ver. 9.; Calmet) or Syriac, the vulgar tongue after the captivity. Pure Hebrew was still retained in the public liturgy. (Tirinus) --- Thus the Catholic Church retains the use of the language first use in the conversion of the respective people, whether Greek, Latin, &c., while she takes care to explain to the people what is necessary, in their own language. Any change might be attended with more serious inconveniences than benefit. Our Saviour never blamed this practice, which subsisted among the Jews in his time, no more than that which obliged the people to keep without, while the priest offered incense, &c., Luke i. 10, 21. --- And plainly. Protestants, "and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading," as much as they were able, though many would, no doubt, still find difficulties, as we at present. (Haydock) Interpreted. St. Jerome renders the same term, made silence, (ver. 7.) as it was the office of the Levites to keep the people in awe, ver. 11. (Calmet) --- Protestants, "taught." They had also (Haydock) to instruct, 1 Esdras viii. 16. (Menochius) --- Weep. The Jews had only one feast for mourning, the day of expiation. On all the rest, a holy joy was commended. For the same reason, the Church does not fast on such days. (Calmet) --- Law, reflecting on the threats denounced against transgressors, which they had so lately witnessed. (Tirinus) Wine. Hebrew and Septuagint, "things." Syriac and Arabic have simply, "drink." --- Portions. The Greeks styled them, Greek: merides; and the Latins, sportul\'e6. The custom prevailed not only among the Jews, (Esther ix. 19.) but also among Christians and pagans. Moses frequently exhorts the people to invite the poor; (Deuteronomy xvi. 14.) and St. Paul blames the rich Corinthians, for giving no part of their feast to them, 1 Corinthians xi. 21. --- Strength. By this holy joy, we shall be encouraged to perform all our duties. (Calmet) --- Septuagint, "Be not downcast, because he (the Lord) is our strength." (Haydock) Law, concerning some difficulties, particularly the manner of keeping the ensuing festival. (Tirinus) --- Thus Christ explained to his disciples what he had spoken to the people. (Haydock) And that. This is not expressed in the law, though it was probably practised. (Calmet) --- Some translate, "And they proclaimed," &c. (Vatable) --- Beautiful. Literally, "very or most beautiful." (Haydock) --- Hebrew, "of oily wood." Septuagint, "cypress." Syriac, "nut-tree." Others understand the pine, (Pagnin) balm, (Mariana) citron, (Haydock) or any other species of branches, which might then be used. (Calmet) (Tirinus) House, which was flat. (Haydock) --- The tents might be erected in any place; in the open air. (Tirinus) Done so, with such alacrity, though they had displayed more magnificence. See the meaning of similar expressions, 4 Kings xxiii. 22. (Calmet) Assembly. Literally, "the collect." (Haydock) --- Hebrew, "the day of retention;" the people being kept at the temple. (Calmet) --- Septuagint, "the dismission;" as they were afterwards permitted to depart. (Haydock) --- See Leviticus xxiii. 26. --- It was probably on this occasion, that the sacred fire was found again; (2 Machabees i. 18.; Calmet) and also the ark, the tabernacle, and the altar of incense, which had been hidden by Jeremias, 2 Machabees ii. 4. (Torniel, the year of the world 3610.) (Cano, &c.) --- But this is not so certain. (Haydock) (Calmet, Diss.)