Matthew Henry on Nehemiah 9:4–end
We have here an account how the work of this fast-day was carried on. 1. The names of the ministers that were employed. They are twice named (Neh 9:4, Neh 9:5), only with some variation of the names. Either they prayed successively, according to that rule which the apostle gives (Co1 14:31, You may all prophesy one by one), or, as some think, there were eight several congregations at some distance from each other, and each had a Levite to preside in it. 2. The work itself in which they employed themselves. (1.) They prayed to God, cried to him with a loud voice (Neh 9:4), for the pardon of the sins of Israel and God's favour to them. They cried aloud, not that God might the better hear them,…
Read the whole note in the consoleJamieson-Fausset-Brown on Nehemiah 9:22
Moreover thou gavest them kingdoms and nations--that is, put them in possession of a rich country, of an extensive territory, which had been once occupied by a variety of princes and people.
and didst divide them into corners--that is, into tribes. The propriety of the expression arose from the various districts touching at points or angles on each other.
the land of Sihon, and the land of the king of Heshbon--Heshbon being the capital city, the passage should run thus: "the land of Sihon or the land of the king of Heshbon."
Adam Clarke on Nehemiah 9:27
Thou gavest them saviors - The whole book of Judges is a history of God's mercies, and their rebellions.
John Gill on Nehemiah 9:29
And testifiedst against them,.... By sending prophets to them, to admonish them of their sins, and remind them of their duty:
that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law; to regard it, and walk according it:
yet they dealt proudly; with an haughty air rejected the counsel of God:
and hearkened not unto thy commandments; yielded not obedience to them:
but sinned against thy judgments; transgressed his laws, which were so just, righteous, reasonable, and equitable:
which if a man do, he shall live in them; or by them, in the land of Canaan, see Leviticus 18:5,
and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear; like oxen, that wriggle and struggle, and draw back,…
