THE BOOK OF NEHEMIAH THIS book seems not to have been written by Ezra, because it is written in a quite differing and more plain and easy style, and without that mixture of Chaldee or Syriac words which is in the book of Ezra; but by Nehemiah, Neh.

The words of Nehemiah, or rather, the acts, or deeds, as the word oft signifies; of which he here treats. In the month Chisleu; which is the ninth month, containing part of November and part of December. In the twentieth year of Artaxerxes, Neh. 2:1.

One of my brethren; of my family, or tribe, or nation. That had escaped out of the slavery which they endured in strange lands. Which, were left of the captivity; the remnant of those numerous captives.

In the province, i.e. in Judea, which was now made a province under the Persian monarchs: See Poole “Ezra 5:8”. In great affliction and reproach; despised and distressed by the neighbouring nations. The wall is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned, i.e.

We have dealt very corruptly, or we have wholly corrupted, to wit, ourselves, and our ways, and thy worship.

In the sight of this man, the king; who though a god by office, is but a man by nature, and therefore his heart is wholly at thy disposal. I was the king’s cup-bearer; whereby I had opportunity to speak to him, and some favour and freedom with him; which encouraged me to make this prayer, and to…