For he knew that if the custom was continued it would lead to ruin, shame, and disgrace, and he was therefore perfectly right to take strong measures to put a stop to it.
One man he saw fit to make an example of in a still more decided way--one offending member he felt must be cut off.

This was Manasseh, the grandson of the high priest, the very one who had been the cause of Tobiah's entrance into the temple, and of the friendly feeling that existed between Eliashib and the Samaritans.
Here was Manasseh, a priest, living in the temple itself, dressed in the white robe, and taking part in the service of God, yet all the time having a heathen wife, and allowing heathen ways in his household.
Manasseh's wife was actually Sanballat's daughter; and so long as he and she remained in the temple precincts, Nehemiah felt they would never be free from Sanballat's influence.
Accordingly we read: 'I chased him from me.' Nehemiah banished him from the temple and from Jerusalem, and Manasseh went away with his wife to her father's grand home in Samaria.
No doubt Nehemiah was far from popular in Jerusalem that night.

There were many who thought he had been too severe, too narrow, too particular.

And doubtless there were many who, if they had dared, would have rebelled against his decision.

But Nehemiah had done everything; he had taken all these strong measures, not to please men, but to please God.