Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 13:3

Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.

3. Now ] R.V. And. The A.V. begins a new paragraph with this verse; which however continues the preceding verses, giving the result of the action taken.

they separated ] ‘They,’ impersonal, but evidently the leaders of the people are referred to. It does not appear whether the words ‘they separated from Israel’ denote merely ceremonial exclusion from participation in the worship and festivals of the holy people, or the forcible ejectment from their borders. The practical impossibility of so summary a policy is an objection to the latter interpretation. The parallel in Neh 9:2 gives some support to the former alternative; and the instance recorded by Nehemiah in the following Neh 13:4-14, shows that Nehemiah’s anger was kindled not at the presence of a stranger but at his connexion with the high-priest, and at the fact of his not being ‘separated from’ the Temple.

all the mixed multitude ] The use of the Hebrew word ‘’ereb’ here without an article may be illustrated by Exo 12:38. There, as here, the word denotes the large body of strangers, members of other races, attached by ties of marriage or by commercial interests to the people of Israel. Their proneness to lead the Israelites astray was proverbial, cf. Num 11:4.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

A separation like that made by Ezra, some 20 years previously Ezra 10:15-44, seems to be intended. The pagan wives were divorced and sent back, with their offspring, to their own countries.

Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

Verse 3. They separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.] They excluded all strange women, and all persons, young and old, who had been born of these illegal connections.

Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible

i.e. All the heathenish people with whom they had contracted alliances. See Neh 9:2; Ezr 10:3.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law,…. Or the law concerning the Ammonite and the Moabite, and which included other nations also, and forbad marriage with them:

that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude; all of these, and other nations, they had contracted affinity with.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

This law being understood, all strangers were separated from Israel. is taken from Exo 12:38, where it denotes the mixed multitude of non-Israelitish people who followed the Israelites at their departure from Egypt. The word is here transferred to strangers of different heathen nationalities living among the Israelites. The date of the occurrence here related cannot be more precisely defined from the . Public readings of the law frequently took place in those days, as is obvious from Neh 8 and 9, where we learn that in the seventh month the book of the law was publicly read, not only on the first and second days, but also daily during the feast of tabernacles, and again on the day of prayer and fasting on the twenty-fourth of the month. It appears, however, from , Neh 13:4, compared with Neh 13:6, that the reading Neh 13:1-3 took place in the interval between Nehemiah’s first and second stay at Jerusalem. This view is not opposed by the facts mentioned Neh 13:4. and 23f. The separation of the could not be carried out at once; and hence, notwithstanding repeated resolutions to sever themselves from strangers (Neh 9:2; Neh 10:31), cases to the contrary might be discovered, and make fresh separations needful.

Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament

3. They separated from Israel all the mixed multitude Literally, separated all mixture from Israel. The word , mixed multitude, is used of the people of foreign blood who accompanied the Hebrews out of Egypt, (Exo 12:38,) and afterwards lusted after flesh. Num 11:4. It may, therefore, refer to any non-Israelitish people. So according to the true spirit of the law they separated themselves from all foreigners, not from Ammonites and Moabites only. Marriage with unbelievers is fraught with so much danger that it is discountenanced in the New Testament also. 2Co 6:14. Intermarriage and association with foreigners was an evil against which both Ezra and Nehemiah had to fight repeatedly. Compare Neh 13:23-30, and Neh 9:2; also Ezra 9-10, notes.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Neh 13:3 Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.

Ver. 3. Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law ] And were transformed into the same image therewith, by the Spirit of grace, who had made their flinty hearts to become fleshy, &c. We used to say, As hard hearted as a Jew. But they that relent not, repent not at the hearing of the word, are worse than these Jews; and it may be feared that the Lord hath a purpose to destroy them. “The law of the Lord,” when but read only, “is perfect, converting the soul,” Psa 19:7 , but woe to the irreformable, 2Co 4:4 .

That they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude ] Vulgus promiscuum, the rabble of strangers, wherewith this people were haunted and pestered from the very first, Exo 12:38 Num 11:4 . These, moved with miracles, removed with them out of Egypt, but for a mischief to them, for they drew them into sin then, as those here did also; and were, therefore, worthily put away, as the law required.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

mixed multitude. Always a snare. Compare Num 11:4.

Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics

when they: Psa 19:7-11, Psa 119:9, Psa 119:11, Pro 6:23, Rom 3:20

that they: Neh 9:2, Neh 10:28, Ezr 10:11, Jam 1:27

the mixed: Exo 12:38, Num 11:4

Reciprocal: Ezr 9:1 – have not separated Ezr 9:2 – mingled Ezr 10:8 – himself separated

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Neh 13:3. They separated from Israel all the mixed multitude All the Ammonites, Moabites, and other heathenish people, with whom they had contracted alliances. All these were cast out from the congregation of Israel, together with the children born of them; that is, they would not look upon them as Israelites, or as entitled to the same privileges with themselves.

Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

13:3 Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel {a} all the mixed multitude.

(a) That is, all who had joined in unlawful marriage and also those with whom God had forbidden them to mingle with.

Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes