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:
It was the honour of Israel, and the greatest preservation of their holiness, that they were a peculiar people, and were so to keep themselves, and not to mingle with the nations, nor suffer any of them to incorporate with them. Now here we have, I.
Commenting on Nehemiah 13:1-9
And I came to Jerusalem,.... Through the king's leave, and with a commission from him: and understood of the evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah; was informed of the mal-administration of his office: in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God; whereby it was profaned and polluted.
But in all this was not I at Jerusalem--Eliashib (concluding that, as Nehemiah had departed from Jerusalem, and, on the expiry of his allotted term of absence, had resigned his government, he had gone not to return) began to use great liberties, and, there being none left whose authority or frown he dreaded, allowed himself to do things most unworthy of his sacred office, and...