Nehemiah 13: Nehemiah's last reforms: the room, the Levites, the Sabbath, and the marriages
A free study, verse by verse. Text: World English Bible. Notes come from the Hebrew. How to read a study
What happens?
The book of Moses is read and the people separate the mixed multitude from Israel. Nehemiah, back in Jerusalem after leave from the king, finds that Eliashib the priest has given Tobiah a great room in the courts of God's house, and throws Tobiah's goods out. He also finds the Levites' portions had not been given, after which all Judah brings the tithe and he appoints treasurers. He then shuts the gates against Sabbath trading, warns the merchants, and sets the Levites to guard the gates. He contends with men who married women of Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab, cursing them, striking some, pulling out their hair, and making them swear, and he drives away a son of Joiada who was son-in-law to Sanballat. Several times he prays "Remember me, my God."
Who is speaking?
No one in this chapter is God speaking, so no verse is in gold. Verses 1 to 5 are told by the narrator. From verse 6 Nehemiah tells it as "I" (the first person). He speaks to the rulers in verse 11, to the nobles in verses 17 and 18, to the merchants in verse 21, and to the Jews who had married foreign women in verses 25 to 27. The prayers in verses 14, 22, 29, and 31 are Nehemiah's own words to God. The law read in verses 1 and 2 is "written" in the book of Moses, and is not in gold. God's own words are printed in gold, and those verses are marked God speaks
1On that day they read in the book of Moses in the hearing of the people; and it was found written in it that an Ammonite and a Moabite should not enter into the assembly of God forever,
In plain English: On that day they read in the book of Moses in the hearing of the people. In it they found written that an Ammonite and a Moabite should not enter the assembly of God forever,
Good to know: says in similar words that an Ammonite or a Moabite shall not enter Yahweh's assembly. This verse says they found it written in the book of Moses, and does not name Deuteronomy.
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2because they didn’t meet the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them; however, our God turned the curse into a blessing.
In plain English: because they did not meet the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them. However, our God turned the curse into a blessing.
Good to know: gives the same reason, spoken to Israel as "you": they did not meet "you" with bread and with water, and hired Balaam to curse "you". And says Yahweh your God turned the curse into a blessing. In this verse it is "our God" who turned the curse into a blessing.
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3It came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated all the mixed multitude from Israel.
In plain English: When they heard the law, they separated all the mixed multitude (or: every person of mixed descent) from Israel.
The Hebrew word: "Mixed multitude" is erev, which the dictionary gives as "a mixture, (or mongrel race)". It is in this verse only in Nehemiah, and the WEB says "mixed".
Good to know: The verse does not say who is meant, or how they were separated. It says they were separated "from Israel" when the law was heard.
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4Now before this, Eliashib the priest, who was appointed over the rooms of the house of our God, being allied to Tobiah,
In plain English: Before this, Eliashib the priest, who was appointed over the rooms of the house of our God and was allied to Tobiah (or: near to Tobiah),
The Hebrew word: "Allied" is qarov, which the dictionary gives as "near (in place, kindred or time)". It is in this verse only in Nehemiah, and the WEB says "allied".
What changes: With "allied" Eliashib is joined to Tobiah by agreement or by friendship. With "near" or "kin" he could be close to him by family. The verse does not choose.
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5had prepared for him a great room, where before they laid the meal offerings, the frankincense, the vessels, and the tithes of the grain, the new wine, and the oil, which were given by commandment to the Levites, the singers, and the gatekeepers; and the wave offerings for the priests.
In plain English: had prepared a great room for him. Earlier, that room was where they put the meal offerings, the frankincense, the vessels, and the tithes of the grain, the new wine, and the oil, which were given by command to the Levites, the singers, and the gatekeepers, and the contribution (or: wave offering) for the priests.
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6But in all this, I was not at Jerusalem; for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I went to the king; and after some days I asked leave of the king,
In plain English: While all this happened, I was not in Jerusalem. In the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I had gone to the king. After some days I asked the king for leave,
Good to know: The text here calls Artaxerxes "king of Babylon". gives Nehemiah's time as governor as from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes, twelve years. This verse does not say how long he was away.
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7and I came to Jerusalem, and understood the evil that Eliashib had done for Tobiah, in preparing him a room in the courts of God’s house.
In plain English: and I came to Jerusalem and understood the evil that Eliashib had done for Tobiah, by making a room for him in the courts of God's house.
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8It grieved me severely. Therefore I threw all Tobiah’s household stuff out of the room.
In plain English: It grieved me very much, so I threw all of Tobiah's household things out of the room.
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9Then I commanded, and they cleansed the rooms. I brought into them the vessels of God’s house, with the meal offerings and the frankincense again.
In plain English: I gave the order, and they purified the rooms. Then I brought back into them the vessels of God's house, with the meal offerings and the frankincense.
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10I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them, so that the Levites and the singers, who did the work, had each fled to his field.
In plain English: I also learned that the portions of the Levites had not been given them, and that the Levites and the singers who did the work had each fled to his own field.
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11Then I contended with the rulers, and said, “Why is God’s house forsaken?” I gathered them together, and set them in their place.
In plain English: So I contended with the officials (or: rulers) and said, "Why has God's house been neglected (or: forsaken)?" I gathered them together and made them stand in their place.
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12Then all Judah brought the tithe of the grain, the new wine, and the oil to the treasuries.
In plain English: Then all Judah brought the tithe of the grain, the new wine, and the oil to the storerooms.
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13I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah; for they were counted faithful, and their business was to distribute to their brothers.
In plain English: I appointed as treasurers over the storerooms Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and Pedaiah of the Levites, and next to them Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah. They were thought reliable, and their work was to distribute to their brothers.
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14Remember me, my God, concerning this, and don’t wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for its observances.
In plain English: Remember me for this, my God, and do not wipe out the good deeds (or: the loyalty) that I have done for the house of my God and for its services.
The Hebrew word: "Good deeds" is chesed, which the dictionary gives as "kindness; by implication (towards God) piety".
How it is translated: The word is in 5 verses of Nehemiah. The WEB says "loving kindness" in 4 of them and "good deeds" here, in Nehemiah's prayer. The same Hebrew word is the "loving kindness" in verse 22.
Good to know: "Remember me" is Nehemiah's own prayer, not God's words. He prays "Remember me" also in verses 22 and 31, and "Remember them" in verse 29. The Hebrew word for "remember" is in 9 verses of Nehemiah, and the WEB says "remember" in 8 of them.
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15In those days I saw some men treading wine presses on the Sabbath in Judah, bringing in sheaves, and loading donkeys with wine, grapes, figs, and all kinds of burdens which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day; and I testified against them in the day in which they sold food.
In plain English: In those days I saw in Judah some men treading winepresses on the Sabbath, bringing in heaps of grain and loading them on donkeys, and also wine, grapes, figs, and every kind of load. They were bringing them into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. I warned them (or: testified against them) on the day they sold food.
Good to know: The text calls the day "the Sabbath" and says the men were treading, bringing in, loading, and selling on it. Churches and synagogues read the Sabbath in different ways, and this verse does not say how the day is kept today.
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16Some men of Tyre also lived there, who brought in fish and all kinds of wares, and sold on the Sabbath to the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.
In plain English: Men of Tyre also lived there. They brought in fish and every kind of goods and sold them on the Sabbath to the people of Judah, and in Jerusalem.
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17Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said to them, “What evil thing is this that you do, and profane the Sabbath day?
In plain English: Then I contended with the nobles of Judah and said to them, "What is this evil thing you are doing, profaning the Sabbath day?
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18Didn’t your fathers do this, and didn’t our God bring all this evil on us and on this city? Yet you bring more wrath on Israel by profaning the Sabbath.”
In plain English: Did your fathers not do the same, and did our God not bring all this evil (or: trouble) on us and on this city? Yet you are adding to the anger against Israel by profaning the Sabbath."
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19It came to pass that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the Sabbath, I commanded that the doors should be shut, and commanded that they should not be opened until after the Sabbath. I set some of my servants over the gates, so that no burden should be brought in on the Sabbath day.
In plain English: When the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the Sabbath, I gave the order that the doors be shut, and that they not be opened until after the Sabbath. I stationed some of my servants at the gates, so that no load would be brought in on the Sabbath day.
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20So the merchants and sellers of all kinds of wares camped outside of Jerusalem once or twice.
In plain English: The traders and the sellers of every kind of goods stayed the night outside Jerusalem once or twice.
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21Then I testified against them, and said to them, “Why do you stay around the wall? If you do so again, I will lay hands on you.” From that time on, they didn’t come on the Sabbath.
In plain English: Then I warned them and said to them, "Why are you staying the night in front of the wall? If you do it again, I will lay hands on you (literally: stretch out a hand against you)." From that time on, they did not come on the Sabbath.
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22I commanded the Levites that they should purify themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the Sabbath day. Remember me for this also, my God, and spare me according to the greatness of your loving kindness.
In plain English: I told the Levites to purify themselves and to come and guard the gates, to keep the Sabbath day holy. Remember me for this also, my God, and have mercy on me according to the greatness of your loving kindness.
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23In those days I also saw the Jews who had married women of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab;
In plain English: In those days I also saw the Jews who had married women of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab,
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24and their children spoke half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews’ language, but according to the language of each people.
In plain English: and their children spoke half in the language of Ashdod (or: half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod). They did not know how to speak the language of the Jews (literally: in Judean), but spoke according to the language of one people or another.
The Hebrew word: "The language of the Jews" is yehudit, which the dictionary glosses as the Jewish language. The word-by-word data reads it "in Judean". It is in this verse only in Nehemiah, and the WEB says "the Jews' language".
What changes: The Hebrew word for "half" can go with the children (half of the children spoke the language of Ashdod) or with the speech (the children spoke half in the language of Ashdod). The verse does not choose. Either way they did not know how to speak the Judean language.
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25I contended with them, cursed them, struck certain of them, plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, “You shall not give your daughters to their sons, nor take their daughters for your sons, or for yourselves.
In plain English: I contended with them and cursed them. I struck some of the men and pulled out their hair, and I made them swear by God: "You shall not give your daughters to their sons, and you shall not take their daughters for your sons or for yourselves.
The Hebrew word: "Pulled out their hair" is marat, which the dictionary gives as "to polish; by implication, to make bald (the head), to gall (the shoulder); also, to sharpen". It is in this verse only in Nehemiah, and the WEB says "plucked off".
Good to know: The verse says that Nehemiah contended with them, cursed them, struck some of the men, and pulled out their hair, and made them swear by God. The WEB opens one quotation at the oath in verse 25 and closes it at the end of verse 27, so verses 25 to 27 are printed as one speech: the oath, then Nehemiah's words to them.
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26Didn’t Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? Yet among many nations there was no king like him, and he was loved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel. Nevertheless foreign women caused even him to sin.
In plain English: Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? Among the many nations there was no king like him. He was loved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel. Even so, the foreign women caused him to sin.
Good to know: says that King Solomon loved many foreign women, and the chapter goes on to tell what Yahweh said about it. This verse names Solomon only as an example in Nehemiah's words.
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27Shall we then listen to you to do all this great evil, to trespass against our God in marrying foreign women?”
In plain English: And must it be heard of you (or: shall we listen to you) that you do all this great evil, acting unfaithfully against our God by marrying foreign women?"
The Hebrew words: The verse starts "and to you, is it heard". The verb is shama, to hear, in a form that says "is it heard". The WEB reads "shall we then listen to you".
What changes: With "listen to you" the question is whether they should obey those who have done this. With "is it heard of you" it is whether it should be heard that they do this great evil. The Hebrew allows both and the verse does not choose.
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28One of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite; therefore I chased him from me.
In plain English: One of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high (literally: great) priest, was son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite. So I drove him away from me.
The Hebrew word: "High priest" is the Hebrew ha-kohen ha-gadol, which reads literally "the priest, the great". The dictionary gives gadol as "great (in any sense); hence, older". The WEB reads the two words as a title, "high priest".
Good to know: Eliashib and his son Joiada are in the list in .
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29Remember them, my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites.
In plain English: Remember them, my God, for they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites.
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30Thus I cleansed them from all foreigners and appointed duties for the priests and for the Levites, everyone in his work;
In plain English: So I purified them from everything foreign, and I assigned duties to the priests and to the Levites, each one in his own work,
The Hebrew word: "Foreigners" is nekar, which the dictionary gives as "foreign, or (concretely) a foreigner, or (abstractly) heathendom". It is in 2 verses of Nehemiah (9:2 and 13:30), and the WEB says "foreigners" in both.
What changes: With "foreigners" he purified them from the people. With the dictionary's "heathendom", he purified them from what was foreign. The verse does not choose.
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31and for the wood offering, at appointed times, and for the first fruits. Remember me, my God, for good.
In plain English: and for the wood offering at the appointed times, and for the first fruits. Remember me, my God, for good.
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