How we cite our quotes:
Quote #7
And there were those who said, "We are having to borrow money on our fields and vineyards to pay the king's tax. Now our flesh is the same as that of our kindred; our children are the same as their children; and yet we are forcing our sons and daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters have been ravished; we are powerless, and our fields and vineyards now belong to others." (NRSV Nehemiah 5:4-5)
There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards. Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards. (KJV Nehemiah 5:4-5)
Cooperation within the group is really important to Nehemiah—it's extremely dangerous for one part of the group (the nobles) to start preying on the less powerful. Nehemiah wants them to function as one cohesive community, and if you're ripping off your neighbors that's a problem.
Quote #8
These sought their registration among those enrolled in the genealogies, but it was not found there, so they were excluded from the priesthood as unclean; the governor told them that they were not to partake of the most holy food, until a priest with Urim and Thummim should come. (NRSV Nehemiah 7:64-65)
These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood. And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and Thummim. (KJV Nehemiah 7:64-65)
Even people who've identified with Israel for a long time aren't allowed to be in the priesthood if they can't provide the documentation to prove it. The new rules are really strict—they're aggressively trying to ensure that the society remains ethnically the same.
Quote #9
And all the assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and lived in them; for from the days of Jeshua son of Nun to that day the people of Israel had not done so. And there was very great rejoicing. And day by day, from the first day to the last day, he read from the book of the law of God. They kept the festival seven days; and on the eighth day there was a solemn assembly, according to the ordinance. (NRSV Nehemiah 8:17-18)
And all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths, and sat under the booths: for since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so. And there was very great gladness. Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, according unto the manner. (KJV Nehemiah 8:17-18)
Like Passover, the Festival of the Booths is another way of feeling a living connection with the past—in this case, with the journey through the desert after the Exodus from Egypt.