The Pulpit Commentary on Nehemiah 13:25

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

I contended with them, and cursed them. Or, "reviled them," as Gesenius and Professor Lee explain. And smote certain of them. i.e. "had some of them beaten." Some understand by this that the offenders underwent the bastinado by sentence of a court (Deuteronomy 25:2); others think Nehemiah had them struck informally by his attendants.

This latter explanation 'is supported by the following clause, since "plucking out the hair" was never a legal punishment. Made them swear by God. Literally, "swore them by God," i.e. dictated the words, and made them repeat the formula and accept the oath.

Saying, Ye shall not give. Literally, "If ye shall give,' etc. Nehemiah made them swear that they should intermarry with the heathen the curse of God should fall upon them.

More for Nehemiah 13:25

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Nehemiah 13:1-31The blessing of God on an active life founded upon his word. I. THE TRUE RELIGIOUS REFORMATION, both negative and positive. 1. Abuses must be vigorously attacked and cleansed away. The house of God has to be purified of…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Nehemiah 13:1-31EXPOSITION NEHEMIAH'S EFFORTS FOR THE REFORM OF RELIGION (Nehemiah 13:1-31). After having exercised the office of governor for twelve years, from b.c. 444 to b.c. 432, Nehemiah had had occasion to visit the Persian cour…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryMatthew Henry on Nehemiah 13:23-31If either parent be ungodly, corrupt nature will incline the children to take after that one; which is a strong reason why Christians should not be unequally yoked. In the education of children, great care should be tak…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Dismissal of Strange Wives. (b. c. 434.)THE DISMISSAL OF STRANGE WIVES. (B. C. 434.) We have here one instance more of Nehemiah's pious zeal for the purifying of his countrymen as a peculiar people to God; that was the thing he aimed at in the use of his powe…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Nehemiah 13:23-31Unholy alliance (a lesson for the young). Beside the forsaking of the house of the Lord consequent on the neglect to pay tithes, and the disregard of the sabbath, Nehemiah had to lament another grave evil which had grow…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Nehemiah 13:23-29Forbidden marriages. This chapter might have been written to bring into pointed contrast the promises of the people (Nehemiah 10:1-39.) and their subsequent practice. In nearly every particular the covenant so solemnly…Joseph S. Exell and contributors