EZRA AND NEHEMIAH HARMONY
The Whole Period covered by EZRA twenty-three years
(426-403 B.C.).
The Whole Period covered by NEHEMIAH fifty-two years
(455-403 B.C.).
455 BC
Nehemiah 1:1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace,
1:2 That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Judahites that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.
1:3 And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.
The Babylonians took Jerusalem and destroyed it and carried off the Judahites into captivity about a hundred years before.
2Kings 25:10 And all the army of the Chaldees (Babylonians), that were with the captain of the guard, brake down the walls of Jerusalem round about.
1:4 And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,
1:5 And said, I beseech thee, O Yahweh God of heaven, the great and terrible (revered) God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love Him and observe His commandments:
1:6 Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned.
1:7 We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses.
1:8 Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations:
Leviticus 26:33 And I will scatter you among the heathen (nations), and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste.
Deuteronomy 4:25-27
25 When thou shalt beget children, and children's children, and ye shall have remained long in the land, and shall corrupt yourselves, and make a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, and shall do evil in the sight of Yahweh thy God, to provoke Him to anger:
26 I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto ye go over Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong your days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed.
27 And Yahweh shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen (nations), whither Yahweh shall lead you.
Deuteronomy 28:64 And Yahweh shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, even wood and stone.
He warned our fathers, and proved His punishment by casting them off into captivity.
1:9 But if ye turn unto Me, and keep My commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set My name there.
1:10 Now these are thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand.
Deuteronomy 9:29 Yet they are thy people and thine inheritance, which thou broughtest out by thy mighty power and by thy stretched out arm.
1:11 O Yahweh, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer.
Nehemiah was in Persia (Babylon) and was praying that Yahweh hears his prayers for his people.
Isaiah 26:8 Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O Yahweh, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee.
Nehemiah 2:1 And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence.
Nehemiah understood the punishment of captivity. Just as Daniel did, they both continued to obey Yahweh and they were preserved, and even elevated to important status while in captivity! Here, the concern for his brethren in Jerusalem is noticed.
2:2 Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid,
Proverbs 15:13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
2:3 And I said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire?
2:4 Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven.
2:5 And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers' sepulchres, that I may build it.
2:6 And the king said unto me, (the queen also sitting by him,) For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.
2:7 Moreover I said unto the king, If it please the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the river, that they may convey me over till I come into Judah;
2:8 And a letter unto Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the palace which appertained to the house, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall enter into. And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me.
454 BC
NEHEMIAH'S JOURNEY
He visits the Governors, and presents Credentials.
2:9 Then I came to the governors beyond the river, and gave them the king's letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me.
SANBALLAT'S RECEPTION
2:10 When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.
NEHEMIAH'S NIGHT SURVEY OF RUINS.
2:11 So I came to Jerusalem, and was there three days.
2:12 And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem: neither was there any beast with me, save the beast that I rode upon.
2:13 And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the dragon well, and to the dung port, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire.
2:14 Then I went on to the gate of the fountain, and to the king's pool: but there was no place for the beast that was under me to pass.
The ruin was so thick his beast could not go through.
2:15 Then went I up in the night by the brook, and viewed the wall, and turned back, and entered by the gate of the valley, and so returned.
The Septuagint has: “... and mourned over the wall...”.
This may be where the Jews get the idea of the Wailing Wall. They make a public act of mourning for all to see. This is contrary to scripture, Yahweh tells us to pray in our closet, in secret, not for the glory of men. Matthew 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
HIS REPORT TO THE JUDAHITES
2:16 And the rulers knew not whither I went, or what I did; neither had I as yet told it to the Judahites, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest that did the work.
2:17 Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach (disgrace).
Psalm 44:13 Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us.
2:18 Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work.
OPPOSITION THREATENS
Charges of rebellion against the Suzerain King (of Babylon) Nebuchadnezzar.
2:19 But when Sanballat the Horonite (Moab), and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite (Amon), and Geshem the Arabian (Ishmael), heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king?
NEHEMIAH'S ANSWER.
Foundation work of Wall begun. Wall itself finished to half its height.
2:20 Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, He will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.
Nehemiah stated that they have no portion, right or memorial in the heritage of the children of Israel. Jerusalem often refers to 'the people' (God's people, being us).
The Septuagint includes: “... and we his servants are pure, and we will build...”
Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem were enemies of Israel. They were Canaanites, Edomites, and other mixed peoples.
Nehemiah 3:1 Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel.
3:2 And next unto him builded the men of Jericho (345). And next to them builded Zaccur the son of Imri.
3:3 But the fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build, who also laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.
3:4 And next unto them repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz. And next unto them repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabeel. And next unto them repaired Zadok the son of Baana.
3:5 And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Master.
3:6 Moreover the old gate repaired Jehoiada the son of Paseah, and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, and the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.
3:7 And next unto them repaired Melatiah the Gibeonite, and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon (95), and of Mizpah, unto the throne of the governor on this side the river.
3:8 Next unto him repaired Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, of the goldsmiths. Next unto him also repaired Hananiah the son of one of the apothecaries, and they fortified Jerusalem unto the broad wall.
3:9 And next unto them repaired Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem.
3:10 And next unto them repaired Jedaiah the son of Harumaph, even over against his house. And next unto him repaired Hattush the son of Hashabniah.
3:11 Malchijah the son of Harim, and Hashub the son of Pahathmoab, repaired the other piece, and the tower of the furnaces.
3:12 And next unto him repaired Shallum the son of Halohesh, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem, he and his daughters.
3:13 The valley gate repaired Hanun, and the inhabitants of Zanoah; they built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and a thousand cubits on the wall unto the dung gate.
3:14 But the dung gate repaired Malchiah the son of Rechab, the ruler of part of Bethhaccerem; he built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.
3:15 But the gate of the fountain repaired Shallun the son of Colhozeh, the ruler of part of Mizpah; he built it, and covered it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and the wall of the pool of Siloah by the king's garden, and unto the stairs that go down from the city of David. (John 9:7 Pool of Siloam)
3:16 After him repaired Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of the half part of Bethzur, unto the place over against the sepulchres of David, and to the pool that was made, and unto the house of the mighty.
2Kings 20:20 And the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and how he made a pool, and a conduit, and brought water into the city, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
3:17 After him repaired the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani. Next unto him repaired Hashabiah, the ruler of the half part of Keilah, in his part.
3:18 After him repaired their brethren, Bavai the son of Henadad, the ruler of the half part of Keilah.
3:19 And next to him repaired Ezer the son of Jeshua, the ruler of Mizpah, another piece over against the going up to the armoury at the turning of the wall.
3:20 After him Baruch the son of Zabbai earnestly repaired the other piece, from the turning of the wall unto the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest.
3:21 After him repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah the son of Koz another piece, from the door of the house of Eliashib even to the end of the house of Eliashib.
3:22 And after him repaired the priests, the men of the plain.
3:23 After him repaired Benjamin and Hashub over against their house. After him repaired Azariah the son of Maaseiah the son of Ananiah by his house.
3:24 After him repaired Binnui the son of Henadad another piece, from the house of Azariah unto the turning of the wall, even unto the corner.
3:25 Palal the son of Uzai, over against the turning of the wall, and the tower which lieth out from the king's high house, that was by the court of the prison. After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh.
Jeremiah 32:2 For then the king of Babylon's army besieged Jerusalem: and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the prison, which was in the king of Judah's house.
Jeremiah 33:1 Moreover the word of Yahweh came unto Jeremiah the second time, while he was yet shut up in the court of the prison,...
3:26 Moreover the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel, unto the place over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that lieth out.
Ezra 8:20 Also of the Nethinims, whom David and the princes had appointed for the service of the Levites, two hundred and twenty Nethinims: all of them were expressed by name.
3:27 After them the Tekoites repaired another piece, over against the great tower that lieth out, even unto the wall of Ophel.
3:28 From above the horse gate repaired the priests, every one over against his house.
3:29 After them repaired Zadok the son of Immer over against his house. After him repaired also Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the east gate.
3:30 After him repaired Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, another piece. After him repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah over against his chamber.
3:31 After him repaired Malchiah the goldsmith's son unto the place of the Nethinims, and of the merchants, over against the gate Miphkad, and to the going up of the corner.
3:32 And between the going up of the corner unto the sheep gate repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants.
So goes the rebuilding of Jerusalem.
Nehemiah 4:1 But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked (railed against) the Judahites.
4:2 And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Judahites? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?
4:3 Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall.
4:4 Hear, O our God; for we are despised: and turn their reproach upon their own head, and give them for a prey in the land of captivity:
4:5 And cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before thee: for they have provoked thee to anger before the builders.
4:6 So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.
ATTEMPTED OPPOSITION BY FORCE
4:7 But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth,
4:8 And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it.
Psalm 83:3-5
3 They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.
4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.
5 For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:
PRAYER AND WATCH
4:9 Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.
COMPLAINT OF JUDAH Used by Adversaries.
4:10 And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall.
The Septuagint reads: 10 And Judah said, The strength of the enemies is broken, yet there is much rubbish, and we shall not be able to build the wall.
4:11 And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease.
4:12 And it came to pass, that when the Judahites which dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times, From all places whence ye shall return unto us they will be upon you.
The Septuagint: 12 And it came to pass, when the Judahites who lived near them came, that they said to us, They are coming up against us from every quarter.
4:13 Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places, I even set the people after (according to) their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows.
4:14 And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember Yahweh, which is great and terrible (awesome), and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.
Numbers 14:9 Only rebel not ye against Yahweh, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and Yahweh is with us: fear them not.
Deuteronomy 1:29 Then I said unto you, Dread not, neither be afraid of them.
RESULT
4:15 And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work.
Job 5:12 He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise.
WALL COMPLETED (the second half) in fifty-two days.
4:16 And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah.
4:17 They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon.
4:18 For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.
4:19 And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another.
4:20 In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us.
4:21 So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared.
4:22 Likewise at the same time said I unto the people, Let every one with his servant lodge within Jerusalem, that in the night they may be a guard to us, and labour on the day.
4:23 So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard which followed me, none of us put off our clothes, saving that every one put them off for washing.
They were always on alert because the outside nations attacked and raided them while they were building.
Nehemiah 5:1 And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Judahites.
5:2 For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, are many: therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat, and live.
5:3 Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth.
5:4 There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards.
5:5 Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards.
5:6 And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.
5:7 Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them.
5:8 And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Judahites, which were sold unto the heathen (nations); and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer.
Leviticus 25:35-37
35 And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee.
36 Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee.
37 Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase.
A fresh start and they were already getting into personal and national debt.
Nehemiah put a stop to it.
5:9 Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies?
5:10 I likewise, and my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money and corn: I pray you, let us leave off this usury.
Usury is forbidden between Israelites.
5:11 Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them.
5:12 Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise.
This may have been a year of Jubilee when debts are released.
5:13 Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised Yahweh. And the people did according to this promise.
5:14 Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor.
1Corinthians 9:4,14
4 Have we not power to eat and to drink?
14 Even so hath the Prince ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
5:15 But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God. (2 Cor 11:9)
5:16 Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered thither unto the work.
5:17 Moreover there were at my table an hundred and fifty of the Judahites and rulers, beside those that came unto us from among the heathen (nations) that are about us.
5:18 Now that which was prepared for me daily was one ox and six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this required not I the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people.
5:19 Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.
Nehemiah did not abuse his authority.
Nehemiah 6:1 Now it came to pass, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach (opening) left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;)
6:2 That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief.
Proverbs 26:24-25
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
6:3 And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?
6:4 Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner.
6:5 Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;
6:6 Wherein was written, It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Judahites think to rebel: for which cause thou buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their king, according to these words.
6:7 And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.
6:8 Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart.
6:9 For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.
6:10 Afterward I came unto the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabeel, who was shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to slay thee; yea, in the night will they come to slay thee.
6:11 And I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that, being as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.
6:12 And, lo, I perceived that God had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.
6:13 Therefore was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and that they might have matter for an evil report, that they might reproach me.
6:14 My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and on the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear.
6:15 So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days.
EFFECT ON ENEMIES
6:16 And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen (nations) that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.
REFERENCE TO HINDRANCE DURING THE BUILDING
Condition of the City
6:17 Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters unto Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came unto them.
6:18 For there were many in Judah sworn unto him, because he was the son in law of Shechaniah the son of Arah; and his son Johanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah.
6:19 Also they reported his good deeds before me, and uttered my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.
WALL BUILT
Nehemiah 7:1 Now it came to pass, when the wall was built, and I had set up the doors, and the porters and the singers and the Levites were appointed,
HANANI APPOINTED GOVERNOR
7:2 That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many.
Exodus 18:21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
7:3 And I said unto them, Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun be hot; and while they stand by, let them shut the doors, and bar them: and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, every one in his watch, and every one to be over against his house.
Evidently they still needed to stand guard and watch for raids.
7:4 Now the city was large and great: but the people were few therein, and the houses were not builded.
426 BC
EMANCIPATION ACT OF CYRUS
Ezra 1:1 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of Yahweh by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, Yahweh stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,
1:2 Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, Yahweh God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and He hath charged me to build Him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. (2 Chr 36:22-23)
Isaiah 44:28 That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem (the people), Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.
Isaiah 45:1,13
1 Thus saith Yahweh to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden (strengthened), to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;
13 I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build My city, and he shall let go My captives, not for price nor reward, saith Yahweh of hosts.
It is evident that Cyrus was an Adamite, likely a Shemite, and possibly an Israelite, hence anointed.
Yahweh only anointed Abraham's son Isaac's seed through Jacob.
1:3 Who is there among you of all His people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of Yahweh God of Israel, (He is the God,) which is in Jerusalem.
The Septuagint ends verse 3 as: “... He is the God that is in Jerusalem.”
Yahweh is in more than a city.
Jerusalem often refers to the people, Israelites.
1:4 And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.
Cyrus told them if they were going to stay in Babylon, and had wealth, to help their brethren that were going back to Jerusalem.
Getting ready for the trip.
Ezra 1:5 Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of Yahweh which is in Jerusalem.
1:6 And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered.
1:7 Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of Yahweh, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods;
1:8 Even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah.
1:9 And this is the number of them: thirty chargers of gold, a thousand chargers of silver, nine and twenty knives,
1:10 Thirty basons of gold, silver basons of a second sort four hundred and ten, and other vessels a thousand.
1:11 All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up with them of the captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem.
RETURN UNDER ZERUBBABEL
Nehemiah 7:5 And my God put into mine heart to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that they might be reckoned by genealogy. And I found a register of the genealogy of them which came up at the first, and found written therein,
7:6 These are the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity, of those that had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away, and came again to Jerusalem and to Judah, every one unto his city; (2 Ki 24:14-16)
Zerubbabel was the reigning Judahite.
Zerubbabel was the grandson of Jehoiachin, the captive king of Judah (1 Chr. 3:17). A descendant of David, he was in the direct line of the ancestry of Jesus (Luke 3:27; Matt. 1:12). With the blessing of Cyrus (Ezra 1:1-2), Zerubbabel and Jeshua the high priest led the first band of captives back to Jerusalem.
Zerubbabel was chosen by Yahweh.
Haggai 2:4,23
4 Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith Yahweh; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith Yahweh, and work: for I am with you, saith Yahweh of hosts:
23 In that day, saith Yahweh of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, My servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith Yahweh, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith Yahweh of hosts.
7:7 Who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. The number, I say, of the men of the people of Israel was this;
7:8 The children of Parosh, two thousand an hundred seventy and two.
7:9 The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two.
7:10 The children of Arah, six hundred fifty and two.
7:11 The children of Pahathmoab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand and eight hundred and eighteen.
7:12 The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.
7:13 The children of Zattu, eight hundred forty and five.
7:14 The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore.
7:15 The children of Binnui, six hundred forty and eight. Ezra 2:10 The children of Bani, six hundred forty and two.
7:16 The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and eight.
7:17 The children of Azgad, two thousand three hundred twenty and two.
Asgard may have originated from Azgad.
Later on the Swedes and the Nordic tribes referred to their origins from Asgard, Thor.
7:18 The children of Adonikam, six hundred threescore and seven.
7:19 The children of Bigvai, two thousand threescore and seven.
7:20 The children of Adin, six hundred fifty and five.
7:21 The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight.
7:22 The children of Hashum, three hundred twenty and eight.
7:23 The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and four.
7:24 The children of Hariph, an hundred and twelve.
7:25 The children of Gibeon (Gibbar), ninety and five.
7:26 The men of Bethlehem and Netophah, an hundred fourscore and eight.
7:27 The men of Anathoth, an hundred twenty and eight.
7:28 The men of Bethazmaveth (Azmaveth), forty and two.
7:29 The men of Kirjathjearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred forty and three.
7:30 The men of Ramah and Geba (Gaba), six hundred twenty and one.
7:31 The men of Michmas, an hundred and twenty and two.
7:32 The men of Bethel and Ai, an hundred twenty and three.
7:33 The men of the other Nebo, fifty and two.
Ezra 2:30 The children of Magbish, an hundred fifty and six.
7:34 The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.
7:35 The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty.
7:36 The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five.
7:37 The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty and one.
7:38 The children of Senaah, three thousand nine hundred and thirty.
7:39 The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three.
7:40 The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two.
7:41 The children of Pashur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven.
7:42 The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen.
7:43 The Levites: the children of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, and of the children of Hodevah, seventy and four.
7:44 The singers: the children of Asaph, an hundred forty and eight.
7:45 The porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, an hundred thirty and eight.
7:46 The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Hashupha, the children of Tabbaoth,
7:47 The children of Keros, the children of Sia, the children of Padon,
7:48 The children of Lebana, the children of Hagaba, the children of Shalmai,
7:49 The children of Hanan, the children of Giddel, the children of Gahar,
7:50 The children of Reaiah, the children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda,
7:51 The children of Gazzam, the children of Uzza, the children of Phaseah,
7:52 The children of Besai, the children of Meunim, the children of Nephishesim,
7:53 The children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,
7:54 The children of Bazlith (Basluth), the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,
7:55 The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Tamah (Thamah),
7:56 The children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.
Who are the Nethinims?
The Nethinim were those "whom David and the princes appointed (Heb. gave) for the service of the Levites."
Servants of the priests and Levites in the menial services about the tabernacle and temple.
The tradition is that the Gibeonites (Joshua 9:27) were the original caste, afterwards called Nethinim.
Of the history of the Nethinim in earlier times there are but few and uncertain traces. When Joshua discovered that he had been beguiled by the Gibeonites into a covenant to let them live, he reduced their tribe to servitude, and declared, "Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall never fail to be of you bondsmen, both hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God".
Since they are not Israelites, they must either be Adamites or Canaanites/Edomites.
If indeed they are Canaanites/Edomites, it would make sense that they eventually would have risen slowly as “leaven” until it was too late, overtaking the priesthood by Christ's time.
At the time of the return from the exile the Nethinim had come to be regarded as important. Their number was considerable: 392 accompanied Zerubbabel at the first Return in 538 BC.
When Ezra, some 80 years later, organized the second Return, he secured a contingent of Nethinim numbering 220.
In Jerusalem they enjoyed the same privileges and immunities as the other religious orders, being included by Artaxerxes' letter to Ezra among those who should be exempt from toll, custom and tribute.
A part of the city in Ophel, opposite the Water-gate, was assigned them as an official residence (Neh 3:26,31), and the situation is certainly appropriate if their duties at all resembled those of the Gibeonites.
7:57 The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Perida (Peruda),
7:58 The children of Jaala, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,
7:59 The children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth of Zebaim, the children of Amon (Ami).
7:60 All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants, were three hundred ninety and two.
1Kings 9:20-21
20 And all the people that were left of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, which were not of the children of Israel,
21 Their children that were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel also were not able utterly to destroy, upon those did Solomon levy a tribute of bondservice unto this day. (also Joshua 9)
These next verses were those whose genealogy was not found, and were considered polluted, or mixed.
7:61 And these were they which went up also from Telmelah, Telharesha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer: but they could not shew their father's house, nor their seed, whether they were of Israel.
7:62 The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred forty and two.
7:63 And of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai, which took one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite to wife, and was called after their name.
7:64 These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.
Yahweh is a racist. The true and original meaning of being a 'racist' is loving your own race.
7:65 And the Tirshatha (Nehemiah) said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and Thummim.
Meaning: Light (Urim) and Truth (Thummim)
Exodus 28:30 And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron's heart, when he goeth in before Yahweh: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before Yahweh continually.
Leviticus 8:8 And he put the breastplate upon him: also he put in the breastplate the Urim and the Thummim.
Numbers 27:21 And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before Yahweh: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.
Deuteronomy 33:8 And of Levi he said, Let thy Thummim and thy Urim be with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah;
Leviticus 22:2,10,15-16
2 Speak unto Aaron and to his sons, that they separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel, and that they profane not My holy name in those things which they hallow unto me: I am Yahweh.
10 There shall no stranger eat of the holy thing: a sojourner of the priest, or an hired servant, shall not eat of the holy thing.
15 And they shall not profane the holy things of the children of Israel, which they offer unto Yahweh;
16 Or suffer them to bear the iniquity of trespass, when they eat their holy things: for I Yahweh do sanctify them.
7:66 The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,
7:67 Beside their manservants and their maidservants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and they had two hundred forty and five singing men and singing women.
7:68 Their horses, seven hundred thirty and six: their mules, two hundred forty and five:
7:69 Their camels, four hundred thirty and five: six thousand seven hundred and twenty asses.
7:70 And some of the chief of the fathers gave unto the work. The Tirshatha gave to the treasure a thousand drams of gold, fifty basons, five hundred and thirty priests' garments.
7:71 And some of the chief of the fathers gave to the treasure of the work twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand and two hundred pound of silver.
7:72 And that which the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand pound of silver, and threescore and seven priests' garments.
7:73 So the priests, and the Levites, and the porters, and the singers, and some of the people, and the Nethinims, and all Israel, dwelt in their cities; and when the seventh month came, the children of Israel were in their cities.
Jeremiah, Isaiah, and others had told the Judahites that Yahweh wanted them to go into captivity for their sins. After 70 years of Babylonian captivity, there would be a 'golden age' of the law.
Why 70 years punishment?
The House of Judah failed to practice 70 consecutive Jubilees (490 years) as well as not letting the land rest every 7 years. So did the House of Israel.
Many of these families returned to their home towns. Jerusalem was being rebuilt under Yahweh's law and was a segregated city, for a while. Israelites only. Just like America when she began.
426 BC
The Seventh Month.
THE ALTER OF BURNT OFFERING SET UP
Ezra 3:1 And when the seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem.
3:2 Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God.
3:3 And they set the altar upon his (it's) bases; for fear was upon them because of the people of those countries: and they offered burnt offerings thereon unto Yahweh, even burnt offerings morning and evening.
Who are the “people of those countries”?
2 Kings 17:24, 27-28, 31, 34
24 And the king of Assyria brought men from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Ava, and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel: and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof.
27 Then the king of Assyria commanded, saying, Carry thither one of the priests whom ye brought from thence; and let them go and dwell there, and let him teach them the manner of the God of the land.
28 Then one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and dwelt in Bethel, and taught them how they should fear the Lord.
Samaria was the northern kingdom of Israel. There were lions attacking these people (Jews) that the Assyrians placed there. The Assyrian king sent a Levitical priest (from captivity) to instruct them in the law of God. This Israelite priest that was brought to teach “the people of those countries” was not a righteous priest, obviously. Don't forget that the northern kingdom of Israel was much more pagan at the time than Judah. Also, a true Israelite knows that our faith and heritage is for our people only.
This event (mid 700's BC) was the beginnings of Judaism. The notable group here are the Sepharvaim(ites). These are a branch of Edomite Jews. Descendants of Esau. This is where they started to distort the laws of Moses and claim it for their own. These are who later became known as the Pharisees and Sadducees.
It is not a stretch to see that these Sepharvaim and others, along with the already embedded Nethinims, which were likely Edomites or Canaanites as well, aligned and eventually overtook the priesthood.
31 And the Avites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites burnt their children in fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech (Molech), the gods of Sepharvaim.
34 Unto this day they do after the former manners: they fear not Yahweh, neither do they after their statutes, or after their ordinances, or after the law and commandment which Yahweh commanded the children of Jacob, whom He named Israel;
The Jews still sacrifice today, they even circumcise children by biting and then sucking the blood. That's why they want to rebuild the temple. To continue sacrifice. Wake up, the Jews are not Israel.
3:3 And they set the altar upon his (it's) bases; for fear was upon them because of the people of those countries: and they offered burnt offerings thereon unto Yahweh, even burnt offerings morning and evening.
THE FIRST DAY.
Nehemiah 8:1 And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which Yahweh had commanded to Israel.
8:2 And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.
This would be the Feast of Trumpets.
Deuteronomy 31:11-12
11 When all Israel is come to appear before Yahweh thy God in the place which He shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing.
12 Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger (sojourning kinsmen) that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear Yahweh your God, and observe to do all the words of this law:
8:3 And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.
8:4 And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
8:5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:
8:6 And Ezra blessed Yahweh, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped Yahweh with their faces to the ground.
1Corinthians 14:15-16
15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
8:7 Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.
8:8 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.
This doesn't happen in today's “churches” because they teach that the law was “done away with”.
They lack understanding. Only the Levitical ordinances and rituals expired when Christ died. Christ was the last sacrifice and upon His death became our High Priest. The law is still in effect.
8:9 And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha (title of a Persian deputy or governor), and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto Yahweh your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.
Because they realized they were not understanding their role as children of Yahweh.
8:10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Master: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of Yahweh is your strength.
8:11 So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved.
8:12 And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth (rejoicing), because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.
THE SECOND DAY Instruction
8:13 And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to understand the words of the law.
8:14 And they found written in the law which Yahweh had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month:
8:15 And that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written.
Leviticus 23:4 These are the feasts of Yahweh, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.
The purpose of the Feast of Trumpets was for a reminder of the Exodus and how Yahweh had delivered them.
426 BC
Feast of Tabernacles Kept.
Nehemiah 8:16 So the people went forth, and brought them (branches), and made themselves
booths, every one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house
of God, and in the street of the water gate, and in the street of the gate of Ephraim.
Observing this feast may be done at home as stated in verse 16. It's the act of sincerity, gratitude, remembrance, and honor to Yahweh. It's symbolic of leaving evil.
8:17 And all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths, and sat under the booths: for since the days of Jeshua (Joshua) the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so (several hundred years). And there was very great gladness.
8:18 Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, according unto the manner.
This feast lasted a week, they stayed in tents, read the law and worshiped Yahweh. Sounds like Woodstock for Saints.
Ethinum is the seventh month, this would be our September. The first day of Ethinum is around September 18th, which is a 91st day, a soldier sabbath. This was also the birth of Christ, the feast of Trumpets, our Soldier of Salvation, the first fruit, who delivers us from Egypt, captivity, our enemies, error and death.
Ezra 3:4 They kept also the feast of tabernacles, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number, according to the custom, as the duty of every day required;
3:5 And afterward offered the continual burnt offering, both of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of Yahweh that were consecrated, and of every one that willingly offered a freewill offering unto Yahweh.
Exodus 29:38-39
38 Now this is that which thou shalt offer upon the altar; two lambs of the first year day by day continually.
39 The one lamb thou shalt offer in the morning; and the other lamb thou shalt offer at even:
(Num 28:3,11,19,26)
3:6 From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt offerings unto Yahweh. But the foundation of the temple of Yahweh was not yet laid.
SIX MONTHS' PREPARATION FOR THE BUILDING
Ezra 3:7 They gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; and meat, and drink, and oil, unto them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia.
425 BC
SECOND YEAR OF RETURN. Second Month. TEMPLE FOUNDATION LAID.
Ezra 3:8 Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of Yahweh.
3:9 Then stood Jeshua with his sons and his brethren, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together, to set forward the workmen in the house of God: the sons of Henadad, with their sons and their brethren the Levites.
3:10 And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of Yahweh, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise Yahweh, after the ordinance of David king of Israel.
3:11 And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto Yahweh; because He is good, for His mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised Yahweh, because the foundation of the house of Yahweh was laid.
3:12 But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy: WOW, imagine that.
3:13 So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.
419 BC
NEHEMIAH GOES BACK to Babylon for twelve years (compare 13:6).
Nehemiah5:14 Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor.
1Corinthians 9:4,14
4 Have we not power to eat and to drink?
14 Even so hath the Prince ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
Chapters Ezra 4:1-6:22 are said to be a retrospective reference to the Wall-building of Nehemiah 2:20-6:15
Letter to Artaxerxes
Ezra 4:1 Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto Yahweh God of Israel;
4:2 Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto Him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither.
These are the Canaanite and Edomites that were placed in the land while Judah was in captivity in Babylon. These are those Sepharvaim and “people of those countries” from Ezra 3:3. Jews. Since they were taught the laws of Moses, they considered themselves equal to the Israelites. But...
4:3 But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto Yahweh God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us.
4:4 Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building,
4:5 And hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.
4:6 And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they unto him an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.
4:7 And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian tongue, and interpreted in the Syrian tongue.
4:8 Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:
4:9 Then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions; the Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, and the Elamites,
4:10 And the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Asnappar brought over, and set in the cities of Samaria, and the rest that are on this side the river, and at such a time.
4:11 This is the copy of the letter that they sent unto him, even unto Artaxerxes the king; Thy servants the men on this side the river, and at such a time.
4:12 Be it known unto the king, that the Judahites which came up from thee to us are come unto Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the bad city, and have set up the walls thereof, and joined the foundations.
4:13 Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings.
4:14 Now because we have maintenance from the king's palace, and it was not meet for us to see the king's dishonour, therefore have we sent and certified the king;
4:15 That search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time: for which cause was this city destroyed.
4:16 We certify the king that, if this city be builded again, and the walls thereof set up, by this means thou shalt have no portion on this side the river.
4:17 Then sent the king an answer unto Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions that dwell in Samaria, and unto the rest beyond the river, Peace, and at such a time.
4:18 The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me.
4:19 And I commanded, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein.
4:20 There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all countries beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them.
1Kings 4:21 And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life.
4:21 Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until another commandment shall be given from me.
4:22 Take heed now that ye fail not to do this: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?
4:23 Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Judahites, and made them to cease by force and power.
4:24 Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.
Temple construction resumes
Ezra 5:1 Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Judahites that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them.
Haggai 1:1-5
1 In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, came the word of Yahweh by Haggai the prophet unto Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, saying,
2 Thus speaketh Yahweh of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that Yahweh's house should be built.
3 Then came the word of Yahweh by Haggai the prophet, saying,
4 Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste?
5 Now therefore thus saith Yahweh of hosts; Consider your ways.
5:2 Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them.
5:3 At the same time came to them Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai, and their companions, and said thus unto them, Who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up this wall?
5:4 Then said we (Tatnai and companions) unto them (the Judahites) after this manner, What are the names of the men that make this building?
5:5 But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Judahites, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter.
5:6 The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai, and his companions the Apharsachites, which were on this side the river, sent unto Darius the king:
5:7 They sent a letter unto him, wherein was written thus; Unto Darius the king, all peace.
5:8 Be it known unto the king, that we went into the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, which is builded with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work goeth fast on, and prospereth in their hands.
5:9 Then asked we those elders, and said unto them thus, Who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls?
5:10 We asked their names also, to certify thee, that we might write the names of the men that were the chief of them.
Septuagint is a little clearer: 10 And we asked them their names, in order to declare them to thee, so as to write to thee the names of their leading men.
5:11 And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and set up.
5:12 But after that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven unto wrath, He gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house, and carried the people away into Babylon. (2 Chr 36:16-17, 2 ki 24:2)
5:13 But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God.
5:14 And the vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought them into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered unto one, whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor;
5:15 And said unto him, Take these vessels, go, carry them into the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in His place.
5:16 Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem: and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not finished.
5:17 Now therefore, if it seem good to the king, let there be search made in the king's treasure house, which is there at Babylon, whether it be so, that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.
Ezra 6:1 Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon.
6:2 And there was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of the Medes, a roll, and therein was a record thus written:
6:3 In the first year of Cyrus the king the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, Let the house be builded, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits;
6:4 With three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber: and let the expenses be given out of the king's house:
6:5 And also let the golden and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought again unto the temple which is at Jerusalem, every one to his (it's) place, and place them in the house of God.
6:6 Now therefore, Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai, and your companions the Apharsachites, which are beyond the river, be ye far from thence:
6:7 Let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Judahites and the elders of the Judahites build this house of God in His place.
6:8 Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Judahites for the building of this house of God: that of the king's goods, even of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be not hindered.
6:9 And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the appointment of the priests which are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail:
6:10 That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.
6:11 Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his house, and being set up, let him be hanged thereon; and let his house be made a dunghill for this.
6:12 And the God that hath caused His name to dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed.
6:13 Then Tatnai, governor on this side the river, Shetharboznai, and their companions, according to that which Darius the king had sent, so they did speedily.
6:14 And the elders of the Judahites builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.
407 BC
Dedication of the Temple
Nehemiah obtains leave of absence and returns to Jerusalem to be present at the dedication
6:15 And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.
Twenty years after laying the Foundation, Ezra 3:8-13 (in 425): and five years and six months from beginning the House itself (Haggai 1:14, 15.).
6:16 And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy,
6:17 And offered at the dedication of this house of God an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.
6:18 And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses.
FIRST PASSOVER from completion
6:19 And the children of the captivity kept the passover upon the fourteenth day of the first month.
6:20 For the priests and the Levites were purified together, all of them were pure, and killed the passover for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests, and for themselves.
6:21 And the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen (nations) of the land, to seek Yahweh God of Israel, did eat,
6:22 And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for Yahweh had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.
Exodus 12:15 Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.
Exodus 13:6 Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to Yahweh.
2Chronicles 35:17 And the children of Israel that were present kept the passover at that time, and the feast of unleavened bread seven days.
The heritage, traditions, and ordinances were exclusively for the children of Israel. Here in the OT as well as the NT. The only thing that changed was the Levitical priesthood expired because Christ was the last sacrifice and our reigning priest.
EZRA "WENT UP FROM BABYLON". Appointed by the Persian Council of State. Four months' journey, from 1st of NISAN, and arrival at Jerusalem 1st of AB.
Ezra 7:1 Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,
7:2 The son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub,
7:3 The son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth,
7:4 The son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki,
7:5 The son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest:
7:6 This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which Yahweh God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of Yahweh his God upon him.
7:7 And there went up some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king.
7:8 And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king.
7:9 For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him.
7:10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of Yahweh, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.
Psalm 119:44-45
44 So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.
45 And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.
Deuteronomy 33:10 They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law: they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt sacrifice upon thine altar.
7:11 Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of Yahweh, and of His statutes to Israel.
7:12 Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time.
7:13 I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem, go with thee.
7:14 Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellors, to enquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand;
7:15 And to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counsellors have freely offered unto the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem (the people),
Psalm 135:21 Blessed be Yahweh out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye Yahweh.
7:16 And all the silver and gold that thou canst find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem:
7:17 That thou mayest buy speedily with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meat offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them upon the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem. (Num 15:4-13, Deut 12:5,11)
7:18 And whatsoever shall seem good to thee, and to thy brethren, to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, that do after the will of your God.
7:19 The vessels also that are given thee for the service of the house of thy God, those deliver thou before the God of Jerusalem (the people).
7:20 And whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of thy God, which thou shalt have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king's treasure house.
7:21 And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily,
7:22 Unto an hundred talents of silver, and to an hundred measures of wheat, and to an hundred baths of wine, and to an hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much.
7:23 Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?
7:24 Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.
7:25 And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not.
7:26 And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment. End of letter.
7:27 Blessed be Yahweh God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of Yahweh which is in Jerusalem (the people):
7:28 And hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counsellors, and before all the king's mighty princes. And I was strengthened as the hand of Yahweh my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.
More return to Jerusalem
Ezra 8:1 These are now the chief of their fathers, and this is the genealogy of them that went up with me from Babylon, in the reign of Artaxerxes the king.
8:2 Of the sons of Phinehas; Gershom: of the sons of Ithamar; Daniel: of the sons of David; Hattush.
8:3 Of the sons of Shechaniah, of the sons of Pharosh; Zechariah: and with him were reckoned by genealogy of the males an hundred and fifty.
8:4 Of the sons of Pahathmoab; Elihoenai the son of Zerahiah, and with him two hundred males.
8:5 Of the sons of Shechaniah; the son of Jahaziel, and with him three hundred males.
8:6 Of the sons also of Adin; Ebed the son of Jonathan, and with him fifty males.
8:7 And of the sons of Elam; Jeshaiah the son of Athaliah, and with him seventy males.
8:8 And of the sons of Shephatiah; Zebadiah the son of Michael, and with him fourscore males.
8:9 Of the sons of Joab; Obadiah the son of Jehiel, and with him two hundred and eighteen males.
8:10 And of the sons of Shelomith; the son of Josiphiah, and with him an hundred and threescore males.
8:11 And of the sons of Bebai; Zechariah the son of Bebai, and with him twenty and eight males.
8:12 And of the sons of Azgad; Johanan the son of Hakkatan, and with him an hundred and ten males.
8:13 And of the last sons of Adonikam, whose names are these, Eliphelet, Jeiel, and Shemaiah, and with them threescore males.
8:14 Of the sons also of Bigvai; Uthai, and Zabbud, and with them seventy males.
8:15 And I gathered them together to the river that runneth to Ahava; and there abode we in tents three days: and I viewed the people, and the priests, and found there none of the sons of Levi.
8:16 Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, and for Elnathan, and for Jarib, and for Elnathan, and for Nathan, and for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Joiarib, and for Elnathan, men of understanding.
8:17 And I sent them with commandment unto Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia, and I told them what they should say unto Iddo, and to his brethren the Nethinims, at the place Casiphia, that they should bring unto us ministers for the house of our God.
The "chief at the place Casiphia," who provided Ezra with Levites and Nethinim, the head of the Levitical body or school, seems to be one of the Nethinim or temple slaves, but perhaps an "and" has slipped out, and it should read: "his brethren and the Nethinim."
1 Esdras 8:45,46 has "Saddeus, the captain, who was in the place of the treasury," (keceph) meaning silver. Septuagint has "in the place of the silver.(instead of treasury)
8:17 And I sent them with commandment unto Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia, and I told them what they should say unto Iddo, (not)(and to his brethren the Nethinims,) (but) .... to his brethren and to the treasurers.
8:18 And by the good hand of our God upon us they brought us a man of understanding, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel (Jacob); and Sherebiah, with his sons and his brethren, eighteen;
8:19 And Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, his brethren and their sons, twenty;
8:20 Also of the Nethinims, whom David and the princes had appointed for the service of the Levites, two hundred and twenty Nethinims: all of them were expressed by name.
We better keep an eye on these Nethinims. They just may be Canaanite and Edomite infiltrators. They may have come from the Gibeonites of Joshua 9.
8:21 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of Him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.
8:22 For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek Him; but His power and His wrath is against all them that forsake Him.
8:23 So we fasted and besought our God for this: and He was intreated of us.
8:24 Then I separated twelve of the chief of the priests, Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brethren with them,
8:25 And weighed unto them the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, even the offering of the house of our God, which the king, and his counsellors, and his lords, and all Israel there present, had offered:
8:26 I even weighed unto their hand six hundred and fifty talents of silver, and silver vessels an hundred talents, and of gold an hundred talents;
8:27 Also twenty basons of gold, of a thousand drams; and two vessels of fine copper, precious as gold.
8:28 And I said unto them, Ye are holy unto Yahweh; the vessels are holy also; and the silver and the gold are a freewill offering unto Yahweh God of your fathers.
8:29 Watch ye, and keep them, until ye weigh them before the chief of the priests and the Levites, and chief of the fathers of Israel, at Jerusalem, in the chambers of the house of Yahweh.
8:30 So took the priests and the Levites the weight of the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, to bring them to Jerusalem unto the house of our God.
8:31 Then we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go unto Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and He delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way.
8:32 And we came to Jerusalem, and abode there three days. (Neh 2:11)
8:33 Now on the fourth day was the silver and the gold and the vessels weighed in the house of our God by the hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest; and with him was Eleazar the son of Phinehas; and with them was Jozabad the son of Jeshua, and Noadiah the son of Binnui, Levites;
8:34 By number and by weight of every one: and all the weight was written at that time.
8:35 Also the children of those that had been carried away, which were come out of the captivity, offered burnt offerings unto the God of Israel, twelve bullocks for all Israel, ninety and six rams, seventy and seven lambs, twelve he goats for a sin offering: all this was a burnt offering unto Yahweh.
It's all about the 12 tribes of Israel. The OT and the NT. This is our heritage.
8:36 And they delivered the king's commissions unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors on this side the river: and they furthered the people, and the house of God.
404 BC still.
Separation of the People.
Ezra 9:1 Now when these things were done, the princes came to me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, doing according to their abominations, even of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites.
The “churches” never read these chapters. These are plain rebukes of race mixing. Being separate from the other races. Every white empire from the days of Nimrod until America started out under law and racial segregation. The Jews (Canaanites/Edomites) always sneak in and corrupt the society with their race mixing propaganda and everytime, we bite and become sick. Race mixing used to be a crime in America!
9:2 For they (Israelites) have taken of their (other races) daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that the holy seed (Israelites) have mingled themselves with the people of those lands (other races): yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass.
The princes and rulers are supposed to be an example.
Exodus 34:16 And thou take of their daughters unto thy sons, and their daughters go a whoring after their gods, and make thy sons go a whoring after their gods.
Deuteronomy 7:3 Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son.
9:3 And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle, and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down astonied.
9:4 Then were assembled unto me every one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the transgression of those that had been carried away; and I sat astonied until the evening sacrifice.
Nehemiah 9:1 Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes, and earth upon them.
9:2 And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers.
The “churches” obviously support interracial marriage and homosexuality by their toleration and admittance of them. This is not obeying Yahweh.
Nehemiah 9:3 And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of Yahweh their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped Yahweh their God.
The “churches” feed you false doctrine for an hour every Sunday.
For most people, this is as much as they worship. But it's all for nought because they worship a Jew.
404 BC
THE "ASSEMBLY," and reading of the Law of Yahweh, on the twenty-fourth day of the seventh month. (The second day of the Feast of Tabernacles.)
EZRA'S PRAYER
Ezra 9:5 And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto Yahweh my God,
9:6 And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.
White people are known to blush. The definition of Adam includes the the verb 'to blush'.
Psalm 38:4 For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.
9:7 Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as it is this day.
The phrase, “confusion of face”. In the context, which is the abomination of race mixing, when one race mixes, the offspring is not the familiar face. Hence, mixed, polluted, a broken cistern.
Daniel 9:7-8
7 O Yahweh, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, near, and far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee. By race mixing.
8 O Yahweh, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee.
9:8 And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from Yahweh our God, to leave us a remnant to escape (a remnant of unmixed Israelites), and to give us a nail in His holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.
A “nail in His holy place”, a leader who will bring stability to His people.
Hebrews 6:19 Which we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
9:9 For we were bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.
9:10 And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? for we have forsaken thy commandments,
9:11 Which thou hast commanded by thy servants the prophets, saying, The land, unto which ye go to possess it, is an unclean land with the filthiness of the people of the lands, with their abominations, which have filled it from one end to another with (by) their uncleanness.
9:12 Now therefore give not your daughters unto their sons, neither take their daughters unto your sons, nor seek their peace or their wealth for ever: that ye may be strong, and eat the good of the land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children for ever.
This still applies today. We are not to seek the peace or wealth or flesh of the other races, for ever! But the “churches” teach the opposite, to accept them, mix with them, share with them.
Exodus 23:32 Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods.
Deuteronomy 7:3 Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son.
Deuteronomy 23:6 Thou shalt not seek their peace nor their prosperity all thy days for ever.
The “churches” also teach that the law was “done away with”. What does God and Jesus say?
Malachi 3:6 For I am Yahweh, I change not!
John 14:15 If ye love Me, keep My commandments.
9:13 And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this;
Deliverance from Babylonian captivity and a fresh start in a rebuilt Jerusalem.
9:14 Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations? wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us, so that there should be no remnant nor escaping?
The Septuagint reads: 14 whereas we have repeatedly broken thy commandments, and intermarried with the people of the lands: be not very angry with us to our utter destruction, so that there should be no remnant or escaping one.
Daniel 9:14 Therefore hath Yahweh watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for Yahweh our God is righteous in all His works which He doeth: for we obeyed not His voice.
9:15 O Yahweh God of Israel, thou art righteous: for we remain yet escaped, as it is this day: behold, we are before thee in our trespasses: for we cannot stand before thee because of this.
THE LEVITES' PRAYER
Nehemiah 9:4 Then stood up upon the stairs, of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice unto Yahweh their God.
9:5 Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, Stand up and bless Yahweh your God for ever and ever: and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.
9:6 Thou, even thou, art Yahweh alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.
9:7 Thou art Yahweh the God, who didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gavest him the name of Abraham;
9:8 And foundest his heart faithful (in allegiance) before thee, and madest a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Jebusites, and the Girgashites, to give it, I say, to his seed, and hast performed thy words; for thou art righteous:
9:9 And didst see the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and heardest their cry by the Red sea;
Exodus 2:24-25
24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. Not the other races.
25 And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.
9:10 And shewedst signs and wonders upon Pharaoh, and on all his servants, and on all the people of his land: for thou knewest that they dealt proudly against them. So didst thou get thee a name, as it is this day.
9:11 And thou didst divide the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; and their persecutors thou threwest into the deeps, as a stone into the mighty waters.
9:12 Moreover thou leddest them in the day by a cloudy pillar; and in the night by a pillar of fire, to give them light in the way wherein they should go. (Ex 13:21)
9:13 Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments:
9:14 And madest known unto them thy holy sabbath, and commandedst them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses thy servant:
9:15 And gavest them bread from heaven for their hunger, and broughtest forth water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and promisedst them that they should go in to possess the land which thou hadst sworn to give them. (Ex 16:14)
9:16 But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments,
9:17 And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.
9:18 Yea, when they had made them a molten calf, and said, This is thy God that brought thee up out of Egypt, and had wrought great provocations; (Ex 32:4)
9:19 Yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness: the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to shew them light, and the way wherein they should go.
Psalm 106:45 And He remembered for them His covenant, and repented according to the multitude of His mercies.
9:20 Thou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst.
9:21 Yea, forty years didst thou sustain them in the wilderness, so that they lacked nothing; their clothes waxed not old, and their feet swelled not.
9:22 Moreover thou gavest them kingdoms and nations, and didst divide them into corners: so they possessed the land of Sihon, and the land of the king of Heshbon, and the land of Og king of Bashan.
9:23 Their children also multipliedst thou as the stars of heaven, and broughtest them into the land, concerning which thou hadst promised to their fathers, that they should go in to possess it.
Genesis 22:17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;
9:24 So the children went in and possessed the land, and thou subduedst before them the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, and gavest them into their hands, with their kings, and the people of the land, that they might do with them as they would. (Josh 1:2)
9:25 And they took strong cities, and a fat land, and possessed houses full of all goods, wells digged, vineyards, and oliveyards, and fruit trees in abundance: so they did eat, and were filled, and became fat, and delighted themselves in thy great goodness.
9:26 Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations.
Judges 2:11 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of Yahweh, and served Baalim (the LORD):
1Kings 14:9 But hast done evil above all that were before thee: for thou hast gone and made thee other gods, and molten images, to provoke Me to anger, and hast cast Me behind thy back:
9:27 Therefore thou deliveredst them into the hand of their enemies, who vexed them: and in the time of their trouble, when they cried unto thee, thou heardest them from heaven; and according to thy manifold mercies thou gavest them saviours, who saved them out of the hand of their enemies.
Judges 2:14 And the anger of Yahweh was hot against Israel, and He delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and He sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.
Psalm 106:41 And He gave them into the hand of the heathen (nations); and they that hated them ruled over them.
9:28 But after they had rest, they did evil again before thee: therefore leftest thou them in the hand of their enemies (Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia), so that they had the dominion over them: yet when they returned, and cried unto thee, thou heardest them from heaven; and many times didst thou deliver them according to thy mercies;
Judges 3:11 And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz (Caleb's younger brother) died.
9:29 And testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law: yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgments, (which if a man do, he shall live in them;) and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.
Leviticus 18:5 Ye shall therefore keep My statutes, and My judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am Yahweh.
9:30 Yet many years didst thou forbear them, and testifiedst against them by thy spirit in thy prophets: yet would they not give ear: therefore gavest thou them into the hand of the people of the lands.
2Kings 17:13 Yet Yahweh testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep My commandments and My statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by My servants the prophets.
2Chronicles 36:15 And Yahweh God of their fathers sent to them by His messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because He had compassion on His people, and on His dwelling place:
Jeremiah 7:25 Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt unto this day I have even sent unto you all My servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them:
9:31 Nevertheless for thy great mercies' sake thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for thou art a gracious and merciful God.
9:32 Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible (revered) God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before thee, that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all thy people, since the time of the kings of Assyria unto this day.
9:33 Howbeit thou art just in all that is brought upon us; for thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly:
Psalm 119:137 TZADDI. Righteous art thou, O Yahweh, and upright are thy judgments.
9:34 Neither have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our fathers, kept thy law, nor hearkened unto thy commandments and thy testimonies, wherewith thou didst testify against them.
9:35 For they have not served thee in their kingdom, and in thy great goodness that thou gavest them, and in the large and fat land which thou gavest before them, neither turned they from their wicked works.
Deuteronomy 28:47 Because thou servedst not Yahweh thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things;
9:36 Behold, we are servants this day, and for the land that thou gavest unto our fathers to eat the fruit thereof and the good thereof, behold, we are servants in it:
Deuteronomy 28:48 Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which Yahweh shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and He shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until He have destroyed thee.
9:37 And it yieldeth much increase unto the kings whom thou hast set over us because of our sins: also they have dominion over our bodies, and over our cattle, at their pleasure, and we are in great distress.
Deuteronomy 28:33 The fruit of thy land, and all thy labours, shall a nation which thou knowest not eat up; and thou shalt be only oppressed and crushed alway:
Amos 3:2 You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.
"Strange Wives" and the Covenant
Nehemiah 9:38 And because of all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, Levites, and priests, seal unto it.
NAMES OF THOSE WHO "SEALED" THE COVENANT.
Nehemiah 10:1 Now those that sealed were, Nehemiah, the Tirshatha (Persian governor), the son of Hachaliah, and Zidkijah,
10:2 Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah,
10:3 Pashur, Amariah, Malchijah,
10:4 Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch,
10:5 Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah,
10:6 Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch,
10:7 Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin,
10:8 Maaziah, Bilgai, Shemaiah: these were the priests.
10:9 And the Levites: both Jeshua the son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel;
10:10 And their brethren, Shebaniah, Hodijah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan,
10:11 Micha, Rehob, Hashabiah,
10:12 Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah,
10:13 Hodijah, Bani, Beninu.
10:14 The chief of the people; Parosh, Pahathmoab, Elam, Zatthu, Bani,
10:15 Bunni, Azgad, Bebai,
10:16 Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,
10:17 Ater, Hizkijah, Azzur,
10:18 Hodijah, Hashum, Bezai,
10:19 Hariph, Anathoth, Nebai,
10:20 Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir,
10:21 Meshezabeel, Zadok, Jaddua,
10:22 Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah,
10:23 Hoshea, Hananiah, Hashub,
10:24 Hallohesh, Pileha, Shobek,
10:25 Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah,
10:26 And Ahijah, Hanan, Anan,
10:27 Malluch, Harim, Baanah.
10:28 And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters, the singers, the Nethinims, and all they that had separated themselves from the people of the lands unto the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every one having knowledge, and having understanding;
10:29 They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of Yahweh our Master, and His judgments and His statutes;
10:30 And that we would not give our daughters unto the people of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons:
Yahweh demands we remain separate from other peoples and races.
10:31 And if the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy it of them on the sabbath, or on the holy day: and that we would leave the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt.
They would observe the sabbath day and not buy or sell on this day.
10:32 Also we made ordinances for us, to charge ourselves yearly with the third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God;
10:33 For the shewbread, and for the continual meat offering, and for the continual burnt offering, of the sabbaths, of the new moons, for the set feasts, and for the holy things, and for the sin offerings to make an atonement for Israel, and for all the work of the house of our God.
10:34 And we cast the lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people, for the wood offering, to bring it into the house of our God, after the houses of our fathers, at times appointed year by year, to burn upon the altar of Yahweh our God, as it is written in the law:
10:35 And to bring the firstfruits of our ground, and the firstfruits of all fruit of all trees, year by year, unto the house of Yahweh:
Exodus 23:19 The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of Yahweh thy God.
10:36 Also the firstborn of our sons, and of our cattle, as it is written in the law, and the firstlings of our herds and of our flocks, to bring to the house of our God, unto the priests that minister in the house of our God:
Exodus 13:2 Sanctify unto Me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is Mine.
10:37 And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage. (Lev 23:17)
10:38 And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house. (Num 18:26)
1Chronicles 9:26 For these Levites, the four chief porters, were in their set office, and were over the chambers and treasuries of the house of God.
10:39 For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God.
The people's confessions
Ezra 10:1 Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore.
10:2 And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered and said unto Ezra, We have trespassed against our God, and have taken strange wives of the people of the land: yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing.
They were acknowledging their error, confessing, repenting and doing something about it. The last group of people to do such a thing was the Klu Klux Klan, which started out pure and according to Yahweh's law, and protected our white women from the blacks. Then by Jew agitation, was demonized and the rest is history.
10:3 Now therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives, and such as are born of them, according to the counsel of my master, and of those that tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law.
The Septuagint has: 3 Now then let us make a covenant with our God, to put away all the wives, and their offspring, as thou shalt advise:
10:4 Arise; for this matter belongeth unto thee: we also will be with thee: be of good courage, and do it.
1Chronicles 28:10 Take heed now; for Yahweh hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it.
Our bodies are His temple. His Spirit (DNA) was breathed into the race of Adam. We are holy and pure and He demands we stay that way, “kind after kind”. When we race mix, we create broken cisterns, vessels that cannot hold water (the Spirit, pure genetic DNA).
10:5 Then arose Ezra, and made the chief priests, the Levites, and all Israel, to swear that they should do according to this word. And they sware.
They swore to cast out these strange people. Most were their own families. Either keep them and you have your reward now, or cast them out and the greatest reward awaits.
10:6 Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan the son of Eliashib: and when he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried away.
The Septuagint ends as: “...for he mourned over the unfaithfulness of them of the captivity.”
10:7 And they made proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem unto all the children of the captivity, that they should gather themselves together unto Jerusalem;
10:8 And that whosoever would not come within three days, according to the counsel of the princes and the elders, all his substance should be forfeited, and himself separated from the congregation of those that had been carried away (those of the captivity).
Show up or ship out!
10:9 Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together unto Jerusalem within three days. It was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month; and all the people sat in the street of the house of God, trembling because of this matter, and for the great rain.
The “great rain”, possibly the inevitable truth?
The Septuagint reads: “...because of their alarm concerning the word, and because of the storm. ”
The “storm”, possibly the wrath?
It was a rainy time, so the symbolism is even greater. Wash yourselves people, wash.
10:10 And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed, and have taken strange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel.
10:11 Now therefore make confession unto Yahweh God of your fathers, and do His pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives.
Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
10:12 Then all the congregation answered and said with a loud voice, As thou hast said, so must we do.
Septuagint: 12 Then all the congregation answered and said, This thy word is powerful upon us to do it.
10:13 But the people are many, and it is a time of much rain, and we are not able to stand without (outside), neither is this a work of one day or two: for we are many that have transgressed in this thing.
It's going to take some time to sort this out.
10:14 Let now our rulers of all the congregation stand, and let all them which have taken strange wives in our cities come at appointed times, and with them the elders of every city, and the judges thereof, until the fierce wrath of our God for this matter be turned from us.
2Chronicles 30:8 Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto Yahweh, and enter into His sanctuary (pure, holy place), which He hath sanctified for ever: and serve Yahweh your God, that the fierceness of His wrath (storm) may turn away from you.
10:15 Only Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahaziah the son of Tikvah were employed about this matter: and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite helped them.
Four man committee. They checked the genealogies and set up appointed times to ship em' out. Deportation. If four men could do it then, surely we could set up a committee and deport all our aliens and strange people. But it's too late, America is quickly becoming a cess pool.
10:16 And the children of the captivity did so. And Ezra the priest, with certain chief of the fathers, after the house of their fathers, and all of them by their names, were separated, and sat down in the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter.
It took them (4 men) 10 days to put together a documented list.
10:17 And they made an end with all the men that had taken strange wives by the first day of the first month.
The Geneva: 17 And until the first day of the first month they were finishing the business with all the men that had taken strange wives.
It took 2 months for this group.
10:18 And among the sons of the priests there were found that had taken strange wives: namely, of the sons of Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren; Maaseiah, and Eliezer, and Jarib, and Gedaliah.
10:19 And they gave their hands (pledged) that they would put away their wives; and being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their trespass.
10:20 And of the sons of Immer; Hanani, and Zebadiah.
10:21 And of the sons of Harim; Maaseiah, and Elijah, and Shemaiah, and Jehiel, and Uzziah.
10:22 And of the sons of Pashur; Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethaneel, Jozabad, and Elasah.
10:23 Also of the Levites; Jozabad, and Shimei, and Kelaiah, (the same is Kelita,) Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer.
10:24 Of the singers also; Eliashib: and of the porters; Shallum, and Telem, and Uri.
10:25 Moreover of Israel: of the sons of Parosh; Ramiah, and Jeziah, and Malchiah, and Miamin, and Eleazar, and Malchijah, and Benaiah.
10:26 And of the sons of Elam; Mattaniah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, and Abdi, and Jeremoth, and Eliah.
10:27 And of the sons of Zattu; Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, and Jeremoth, and Zabad, and Aziza.
10:28 Of the sons also of Bebai; Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai.
10:29 And of the sons of Bani; Meshullam, Malluch, and Adaiah, Jashub, and Sheal, and Ramoth.
10:30 And of the sons of Pahathmoab; Adna, and Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezaleel, and Binnui, and Manasseh.
10:31 And of the sons of Harim; Eliezer, Ishijah, Malchiah, Shemaiah, Shimeon,
10:32 Benjamin, Malluch, and Shemariah.
10:33 Of the sons of Hashum; Mattenai, Mattathah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Shimei.
10:34 Of the sons of Bani; Maadai, Amram, and Uel,
10:35 Benaiah, Bedeiah, Chelluh,
10:36 Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib,
10:37 Mattaniah, Mattenai, and Jaasau,
10:38 And Bani, and Binnui, Shimei,
10:39 And Shelemiah, and Nathan, and Adaiah,
10:40 Machnadebai, Shashai, Sharai,
10:41 Azareel, and Shelemiah, Shemariah,
10:42 Shallum, Amariah, and Joseph.
10:43 Of the sons of Nebo; Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jadau, and Joel, Benaiah.
10:44 All these had taken strange wives: and some of them had wives by whom they had children.
This was probably a hard thing to do, cast out your wife and child. But if your wife is not of your kinsmen, then you are race mixing. You are securing your fate with those whose fate has no chance.
Ezra teaches one of the main messages of the Bible. That we are a family, a race of holy people, we belong to Yahweh and have a purpose and a destiny. We cannot get their if we disobey and pollute ourselves with the other races. Our heritage, DNA, and God is not theirs, and theirs is not ours.
We are not supporting hatred and violence, rather segregation. Yahweh will sort us all out when He returns.
403 BC
RESIDENTS IN Jerusalem
Nehemiah 11:1 And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts to dwell in other cities.
11:2 And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem.
Judges 5:9 My heart is toward the governors of Israel, that offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless ye Yahweh.
11:3 Now these are the chief of the province that dwelt in Jerusalem: but in the cities of Judah dwelt every one in his possession in their cities, to wit, Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants.
11:4 And at Jerusalem dwelt certain of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin. Of the children of Judah; Athaiah the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalaleel, of the children of Pharez;
Genesis 38:30 And afterward came out his (Pharez) brother, that had the scarlet thread upon his hand: and his name was called Zarah.
11:5 And Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Colhozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of Shiloni.
11:6 All the sons of Perez that dwelt at Jerusalem were four hundred threescore and eight valiant men.
11:7 And these are the sons of Benjamin; Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the son of Jesaiah.
11:8 And after him Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred twenty and eight.
11:9 And Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer: and Judah the son of Senuah was second over the city.
11:10 Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin.
11:11 Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, was the ruler of the house of God.
11:12 And their brethren that did the work of the house were eight hundred twenty and two: and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchiah,
11:13 And his brethren, chief of the fathers, two hundred forty and two: and Amashai the son of Azareel, the son of Ahasai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer,
11:14 And their brethren, mighty men of valour, an hundred twenty and eight: and their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of one of the great men.
11:15 Also of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hashub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni;
11:16 And Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chief of the Levites, had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God.
11:17 And Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, was the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer: and Bakbukiah the second among his brethren, and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.
11:18 All the Levites in the holy city were two hundred fourscore and four.
11:19 Moreover the porters, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren that kept the gates, were an hundred seventy and two.
11:20 And the residue (remnant) of Israel, of the priests, and the Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, every one in his inheritance.
11:21 But the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel: and Ziha and Gispa were over the Nethinims.
11:22 The overseer also of the Levites at Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micha. Of the sons of Asaph, the singers were over the business of the house of God.
11:23 For it was the king's commandment concerning them, that a certain portion should be for the singers, due for every day.
11:24 And Pethahiah the son of Meshezabeel, of the children of Zerah the son of Judah, was at the king's hand in all matters concerning the people.
11:25 And for the villages, with their fields, some of the children of Judah dwelt at Kirjatharba, and in the villages thereof, and at Dibon, and in the villages thereof, and at Jekabzeel, and in the villages thereof,
11:26 And at Jeshua, and at Moladah, and at Bethphelet,
11:27 And at Hazarshual, and at Beersheba, and in the villages thereof,
11:28 And at Ziklag, and at Mekonah, and in the villages thereof,
11:29 And at Enrimmon, and at Zareah, and at Jarmuth,
11:30 Zanoah, Adullam, and in their villages, at Lachish, and the fields thereof, at Azekah, and in the villages thereof. And they dwelt from Beersheba unto the valley of Hinnom.
11:31 The children also of Benjamin from Geba dwelt at Michmash, and Aija, and Bethel, and in their villages,
11:32 And at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah,
11:33 Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim,
11:34 Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat,
11:35 Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen. (1 Chr 4:14)
11:36 And of the Levites were divisions in Judah, and in Benjamin.
LIST OF PRIESTS WHO RETURNED with ZERUBBABEL and EZRA for the Dedication of the WALL
Nehemiah 12:1 Now these are the priests and the Levites that went up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra,
12:2 Amariah, Malluch, Hattush,
12:3 Shechaniah, Rehum, Meremoth,
12:4 Iddo, Ginnetho, Abijah,
12:5 Miamin, Maadiah, Bilgah,
12:6 Shemaiah, and Joiarib, Jedaiah,
12:7 Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. These were the chief of the priests and of their brethren in the days of Jeshua.
12:8 Moreover the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, which was over the thanksgiving, he and his brethren.
12:9 Also Bakbukiah and Unni, their brethren, were over against them in the watches.
12:10 And Jeshua begat Joiakim, Joiakim also begat Eliashib, and Eliashib begat Joiada,
12:11 And Joiada begat Jonathan, and Jonathan begat Jaddua.
12:12 And in the days of Joiakim were priests, the chief of the fathers: of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah;
12:13 Of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan;
12:14 Of Melicu, Jonathan; of Shebaniah, Joseph;
12:15 Of Harim, Adna; of Meraioth, Helkai;
12:16 Of Iddo, Zechariah; of Ginnethon, Meshullam;
12:17 Of Abijah, Zichri; of Miniamin, of Moadiah, Piltai;
12:18 Of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan;
12:19 And of Joiarib, Mattenai; of Jedaiah, Uzzi;
12:20 Of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber;
12:21 Of Hilkiah, Hashabiah; of Jedaiah, Nethaneel.
12:22 The Levites in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, and Johanan, and Jaddua, were recorded chief of the fathers: also the priests, to the reign of Darius the Persian.
12:23 The sons of Levi, the chief of the fathers, were written in the book of the chronicles, even until the days of Johanan the son of Eliashib.
12:24 And the chief of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brethren over against them, to praise and to give thanks, according to the commandment of David the man of God, ward over against ward. (1 Chr 23,25,26)
12:25 Mattaniah, and Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, Akkub, were porters keeping the ward at the thresholds of the gates.
12:26 These were in the days of Joiakim the son of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor, and of Ezra the priest, the scribe.
THE DEDICATION OF THE WALL.
Nehemiah 12:27 And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps.
Deuteronomy 20:5 And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it.
12:28 And the sons of the singers gathered themselves together, both out of the plain country round about Jerusalem, and from the villages of Netophathi;
12:29 Also from the house of Gilgal, and out of the fields of Geba and Azmaveth: for the singers had builded them villages round about Jerusalem.
12:30 And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and purified the people, and the gates, and the wall.
12:31 Then I brought up the princes of Judah upon the wall, and appointed two great companies of them that gave thanks, whereof one went on the right hand upon the wall toward the dung gate:
12:32 And after them went Hoshaiah, and half of the princes of Judah,
12:33 And Azariah, Ezra, and Meshullam,
12:34 Judah, and Benjamin, and Shemaiah, and Jeremiah,
12:35 And certain of the priests' sons with trumpets; namely, Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Michaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph:
12:36 And his brethren, Shemaiah, and Azarael, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethaneel, and Judah, Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God, and Ezra the scribe before them.
12:37 And at the fountain gate, which was over against them, they went up by the stairs of the city of David, at the going up of the wall, above the house of David, even unto the water gate eastward.
12:38 And the other company of them that gave thanks went over against them, and I after them, and the half of the people upon the wall, from beyond the tower of the furnaces even unto the broad wall;
12:39 And from above the gate of Ephraim, and above the old gate, and above the fish gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Meah, even unto the sheep gate: and they stood still in the prison gate.
12:40 So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me:
12:41 And the priests; Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets;
12:42 And Maaseiah, and Shemaiah, and Eleazar, and Uzzi, and Jehohanan, and Malchijah, and Elam, and Ezer. And the singers sang loud, with Jezrahiah their overseer.
12:43 Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off.
12:44 And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited.
12:45 And both the singers and the porters kept the ward of their God, and the ward of the purification, according to the commandment of David, and of Solomon his son. (1 Chr 25, 26)
12:46 For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God.
12:47 And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah, gave the portions of the singers and the porters, every day his portion (daily duties): and they sanctified holy things unto the Levites; and the Levites sanctified them unto the children of Aaron.
THE REFORMATION OF THE PEOPLE.
Nehemiah 13:1 On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever;
Deuteronomy 31:11-12
11 When all Israel is come to appear before Yahweh thy God in the place which He shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing.
12 Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger (sojourning kinsman) that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear Yahweh your God, and observe to do all the words of this law:
The Ammonites and Moabites were children of incest by Lot and his daughters. And also...
13:2 Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing. (Num 22:5)
Joshua 24:9 Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you:
13:3 Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.
God's promises and covenants were made to the children of Israel, not the other races, not the Jews and not the “church”. Yahweh demands we remain separate from these peoples.
13:4 And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah:
13:5 And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which was commanded to be given to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests.
Numbers 18:21,24
21 And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.
24 But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave (tribute) offering unto Yahweh, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.
The Levites were not given territory. They were the priesthood for all 12 tribes. The Levitical priesthood followed the Order of Melchizedek and expired after John the Baptist.
Melchizedek was the oldest living patriarch, a Preacher of Righteousness, from Adam to Nahor, Abraham's older brother. The Levitical priesthood was instituted in the Exodus, the tribe of Levi held this office until John the Baptist. After John cleansed the remaining Levites at his time and prepared Christ for sacrifice, this priesthood expired. Sacrifices expired, and water baptism, which was only for Christ for preparation of the last sacrifice. No man is a priest above any other, Christ is now our High Priest. To continue with any of these rituals is to deny the work Christ did.
13:6 But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king:
13:7 And I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God.
13:8 And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber.
13:9 Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat offering and the frankincense.
13:10 And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them: for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field.
It appears as though Eliashib did not do right by Tobiah.
Malachi 3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed Me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
Numbers 35:2 Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and ye shall give also unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round about them.
13:11 Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.
13:12 Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries.
13:13 And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren.
13:14 Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof.
13:15 In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals.
13:16 There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.
13:17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day?
13:18 Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath.
13:19 And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day.
The new day began at 6pm. Hence, “began to be dark before the sabbath”. Dark before light.
13:20 So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without (outside) Jerusalem once or twice.
13:21 Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath.
Jerusalem was along a trade route. The merchants, usually Jews, would try to sell on the sabbath. When that was stopped by Nehemiah, they would camp outside the city and this became a distraction for the sabbath. So Nehemiah told them to scram or else.
13:22 And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.
13:23 In those days also saw I Judahites that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab:
The authorities and upper class were more guilty of this.
13:24 And their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Judahites' language, but according to the language of each people.
13:25 And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.
In other words: “DO NOT RACE MIX!!!”
13:26 Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin.
1Kings 11:1-2
1 But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites;
2 Of the nations concerning which Yahweh said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.
It is not recorded that Solomon repented before he died. The star of David is actually the star of Solomon, the six-pointed star is a symbol of the god Molech, or Chemosh. Satan. Solomon's lovers were Canaanites and Edomites and they turned his heart away from Yahweh. The number 6 represents man, not God. The Jewish star is the star of Satan. Six is an evil number. Six is an illuminati number.
1Kings 11:4 For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with Yahweh his God, as was the heart of David his father.
13:27 Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives?
The “churches” support marrying strange wives.
13:28 And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was son in law to Sanballat the Horonite: therefore I chased him from me.
13:29 Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites.
13:30 Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business;
13:31 And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.
Nehemiah and Ezra cleaned house. They rebuilt the walls, city and temple. They re-instituted the law, statutes, ordinances, judgments and commandments. They cast out the mixed and other races and restored the glory of the children of Israel.
Sadly, as proven throughout history, the children eventually rebelled. They lost their way and became polluted once again. The Edomite Jews had infiltrated the priesthood by the time of Christ, and The Way was replaced with the beginnings of Judaism, the doctrine of devils, the traditions of men.
After Christ died, the children of Israel had left and gone on to settle Europe and eventually America. Now the Jews live where they Shat!