Nehemiah — Chapter 10

Signatores autem fuerunt Nehemias

And the signers were Nehemias Athersatha the son of Hachelai. — This (second) Nehemias is different from Nehemias who was also called Athersatha.

Et omnes qui se

And all they that had separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the law of God. — those, that is, who were converted from paganism to Judaism and became proselytes.

Omnes qui poterant sapere

All that could understand, promising for their brethren, their chiefs and all that were coming to promise and to swear. — \"All who could understand\": refer to \"children\" — that is, all children of proselytes who were not infants but adults in possession of reason also signed this covenant. \"THE CHIEFS SPONDING FOR THEIR BRETHREN\" — in so large a number not all could sign this covenant; hence the nobles alone swore and sealed on behalf of their fellow tribesmen. \"AND THOSE WHO CAME TO PLEDGE AND SWEAR\" — Hebrew adds \"with execration, saying: God punish us if we do not keep His commandments.\"

Dimittemus annum septimum et

And we will leave the seventh year and the exaction of every hand. — \"The seventh year\" — the Sabbatical year: we will allow the land to rest in the seventh year, not cultivating the fields, but leaving what grows of itself to the poor, according to Exodus 23:11. \"THE EXACTION OF EVERY HAND\" — we will likewise remit to debtors what is owed to us by the bond of their hand, not exacting it in the seventh year. For the law commanded that since the land was not cultivated in the seventh year, debts payable from the fruits of the land would also not be paid in that year.

Et in sanctificatis oblatis

And in the sanctified things. — that is, in peace offerings which are offered to God; these he distinguishes from the victims for sin which follow immediately.

A temporibus anni usque

From the times of the year even to year. — that is, annually, every single year.

Decimam partem terrae nostrae

The tenth part of our land to the Levites. — that is, tithes of the fruits of the land. For the Levites could not own land, but only receive tithes of its fruits. \"OF OUR WORKS\" — Hence it is clear that the Jews paid tithes not only from fields but also from their labors and works, so that from the profit arising from them they gave a tenth part to the Levites.

Erit autem sacerdos filius

And the priests the sons of Aaron shall be with the Levites in the tithes of the Levites. — that is, the priests sons of Aaron will have a share in the Levites' tithes, namely the tenth of the tenth. For as follows: the Levites gave a tenth of their tithes to the priests; the priests in turn gave a tenth of their tenth to the Pontiff, who was therefore very wealthy and opulent, as I said at Numbers 18.

Et ibi erunt vasa

And there shall be the sacred vessels, and the priests, and the singers, and the porters, and the ministers. — while they minister in the temple during their appointed week. For these lived in chambers annexed to the temple, called \"exedrae\" and \"gazophylacia,\" and were maintained there; the firstfruits due to the priests had to be brought to these treasuries at the expense of the farmers and Levites. The Hebrews therefore pledge to diligently attend to all these things which they had previously neglected. \"AND WE WILL NOT FORSAKE THE HOUSE OF GOD\" — that is: We will attend to all that pertains to the use of the temple and the sustenance of the priests and Levites; these things they swear to do because they had hitherto been negligent in them.