Nehemia 3:5

3:5 The men of Tekoa worked on the section adjacent to them, but their town leaders ¹  would not assist ²  with the work of their master. ³ 

Nehemia 9:29

9:29 And you solemnly admonished them in order to return them to your law, but they behaved presumptuously and did not obey your commandments. They sinned against your ordinances – those by which an individual, if he obeys them, ⁴  will live. They boldly turned from you; ⁵  they rebelled ⁶  and did not obey.

[3:5]  ¹ tn Heb “their nobles.”

[3:5]  ² tn Heb “bring their neck.”

[3:5]  ³ tn The plural form אֲדֹנֵיהֶם (’adonehem, “lords”) is probably a plural of majesty referring to Nehemiah (e.g., Isa 19:4; see GKC 399 §124.i). However, some English versions take the plural to refer to the “supervisors” (NIV, NCV, TEV) and others to “their Lord” (KJV, NRSV).

[9:29]  ⁴ tn Heb “if a man keep.” See note on the word “obey” in Neh 1:5.

[9:29]  ⁵ tn Heb “they gave a stubborn shoulder.”

[9:29]  ⁶ tn Heb “they stiffened their neck.”