Nehemiah 9:1

“Now in the twenty fourth day of this month, etc.] The seventh month, the month Tisri or September, two days after the feast of tabernacles was ended: the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes, and earth upon them; which were all outward tokens of mourning and humiliation, (see <290108>Joel 1:8,14 <090412>1 Samuel 4:12) which they could not show during the festival; but that being over, they return to it, (see <160809> Nehemiah 8:9).”

“A SOLEMN FAST AND REPENTANCE OF THE PEOPLE. (Neh 9:1-3) Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month--that is, on the second day after the close of the feast of tabernacles, which commenced on the fourteenth and terminated on the twenty-second (Lev 23:34-37). The day immediately after that feast, the twenty-third, had been occupied in separating the delinquents from their unlawful wives, as well, perhaps, as in taking steps for keeping aloof in future from unnecessary intercourse with the heathen around them. For although this necessary measure of reformation had been begun formerly by Ezra (Ezra 10:1-17), and satisfactorily accomplished at that time (in so far as he had information of the…”

“The festival lasted from the 15th day of the 7th month to the first. The 22nd day was a day of solemn observance Nehemiah 8:18. One day seems to have been allowed the people for rest; and then the work of repentance, for which they had shown themselves ready Nehemiah 8:9, was taken in hand, and a general fast was proclaimed. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Now - The next day, but one after the feast of tabernacles, which begun on the fourteenth day, and ended on the twenty second, for their consciences having been fully awakened and their hearts filled with grief for their sins, which they were not allowed to express in that time of publick joy; now they resume their former thoughts, and recalling their sins to mind, set apart a day for solemn fasting and humiliation. Nehemiah 9:2”

“Now: On the first of this month was the feast of trumpets; on the tenth, the day of atonement; on the fourteenth began the feast of tabernacles, which lasted seven days, ending on the twenty- second; on the twenty-third, they separated themselves from their illegitimate wives; and on the twenty-fourth, they held a solemn day of fasting and confession of sin, and reading the law; the whole of which they closed by renewing their covenants. twenty: Lev 23:34, Lev 23:39; Ch2 7:10 of this month: Neh 8:2 children: Jdg 20:26; Ch2 20:3; Ezr 8:23; Est 4:3, Est 4:16; Isa 22:12; Joe 1:13, Joe 1:14, Joe 2:15-17; Jon 3:5-8; Act 13:2, Act 13:3 earth: Jos 7:6; Sa1 4:12; Sa2 1:2; Job 2:12 Nehemiah 9:2”

“On the twenty-second of Tishri was the Hazereth of the feast of tabernacles; on the twenty-fourth the congregation re-assembled in the temple, "with fasting and with sackcloths (penitential garments made of hair; see rem. Joe 1:8) and earth upon them," i.e., spread upon their heads ( Sa1 4:12; Sa2 1:2; Job 2:12), \- the external marks of deep mourning and heaviness of heart. Neh 9:2 "And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed all their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers." This separation from strangers does not specially relate to the dissolution of the marriages contracted with heathen women, nor to any measures taken that only Israelites…”