The tenth day of the seventh month between the feast of trumpets and the feast of tabernacles was appointed to be the day of atonement; we have no reason to think but that it was religiously observed, though it is not mentioned.

We have here a general account of a public fast which the children of Israel kept, probably by order from Nehemiah, by and with the advice and consent of the chief of the fathers. It was a fast that men appointed, but such a fast as God had chosen; for, 1. It was a day to afflict the soul, Isa.

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 , only with some variation of the names. Either they prayed successively, according to that rule which the apostle gives (1 Cor.