Nehemiah 9:2 - Exposition

The seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers. Compare Nehemiah 10:28 , by which it appears that the "strangers" are "the people of the lands," or neighbouring heathen, of whom there were at all times considerable numbers in Jerusalem (comp. Nehemiah 13:16 ). It was not fitting that these aliens should take part in a ceremony of which the main object was that the special people of God should renew their covenant with him. Stood and confessed. Attitude is perhaps scarcely intended here, since the Jews confessed their sins kneeling ( Ezra 9:5 ), or prostrate ( Ezra 10:1 ). Hence we hear in the next verse that they "stood up," or "rose up" ( consurrexerunt , Vulg.).