Nehemiah 10

Nehemiah 10 describes the renewal of the covenant by the Israelites. Following the reading of the Law and the acknowledgment of their sins, the people commit themselves to obey God's commands, including specific provisions about worship, marriage, the Sabbath, and tithes. This chapter highlights their dedication to rebuilding not just their city but their spiritual lives as well.

Nehemiah 10:1-5 (NKJV)
1 Now those who placed their seal on the document were: Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hachaliah, and Zedekiah,
2 Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah,
3 Pashhur, Amariah, Malchijah,
4 Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch,
5 Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah,

Nehemiah, as governor, leads the charge in making a formal agreement with God, symbolized by placing his seal on the covenant document. Other prominent leaders, including priests and Levites, also commit themselves to this renewed covenant. The presence of so many key figures shows the unity of the people in returning to God's law and demonstrates a collective responsibility for the nation’s spiritual health.

Nehemiah 10:6-8 (NKJV)
6 Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch,
7 Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin,
8 Maaziah, Bilgai, and Shemaiah. These were the priests.

The priests listed here represent the spiritual leaders of Israel, who are also signing this covenant. By committing themselves, they show their leadership role in ensuring that the people follow the Law of Moses. Their participation underscores the importance of the priesthood in guiding the people toward spiritual faithfulness.

Nehemiah 10:9-13 (NKJV)
9 The Levites: Jeshua the son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel,
10 Their brethren: Shebaniah, Hodijah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan,
11 Mika, Rehob, Hashabiah,
12 Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah,
13 Hodijah, Bani, and Beninu.

The Levites, who are the assistants to the priests in religious duties, also join in the covenant. This highlights the shared commitment across all levels of spiritual leadership. The Levites are responsible for teaching the people the law and ensuring that worship is conducted according to God's commands.

Nehemiah 10:14-21 (NKJV)
14 The leaders of the people: Parosh, Pahath-Moab, Elam, Zattu, Bani,
15 Bunni, Azgad, Bebai,
16 Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,
17 Ater, Hezekiah, Azzur,
18 Hodijah, Hashum, Bezai,
19 Hariph, Anathoth, Nebai,
20 Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir,
21 Meshezabel, Zadok, Jaddua,

The leaders of the people, including representatives from various families, also place their seals on the covenant. This wide representation from different tribes and families signifies the national commitment to obeying God’s law. Their agreement to the covenant ensures that every aspect of society is aligned with their spiritual obligations.

Nehemiah 10:22-27 (NKJV)
22 Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah,
23 Hoshea, Hananiah, Hasshub,
24 Hallohesh, Pilha, Shobek,
25 Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah,
26 Ahijah, Hanan, Anan,
27 Malluch, Harim, Baanah.

More leaders of the people are listed here, further emphasizing the communal responsibility of the Israelites to uphold the covenant. Their participation underscores the inclusiveness of this spiritual renewal, ensuring that leaders from various families and regions are united in this effort.

Nehemiah 10:28-29 (NKJV)
28 Now the rest of the people—the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the Nethinim, and all those who had separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the Law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, everyone who had knowledge and understanding—
29 these joined with their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse and an oath to walk in God's Law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our Lord, and His ordinances and His statutes:

Everyone, from the leaders to the common people, including gatekeepers, singers, and the temple servants (Nethinim), joins in this covenant. They commit themselves to obey God's laws as given through Moses. The inclusion of entire families, down to those who have the knowledge to understand, demonstrates the comprehensive nature of this covenant. They agree not only to follow the Law but also to accept the consequences of disobedience.

Nehemiah 10:30-31 (NKJV)
30 We would not give our daughters as wives to the peoples of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons;
31 if the peoples of the land brought wares or any grain to sell on the Sabbath day, we would not buy it from them on the Sabbath, or on a holy day; and we would forgo the seventh year’s produce and the exacting of every debt.

The covenant includes specific commitments: not intermarrying with the surrounding peoples, refraining from commerce on the Sabbath, and observing the Sabbath year, during which they would allow the land to rest and release debts. These actions reflect their renewed dedication to maintaining purity in their community and honoring God's commandments, especially regarding worship and social justice.

Nehemiah 10:32-33 (NKJV)
32 Also we made ordinances for ourselves, to exact from ourselves yearly one-third of a shekel for the service of the house of our God:
33 for the showbread, for the regular grain offering, for the regular burnt offering of the Sabbaths, the New Moons, and the set feasts; for the holy things, for the sin offerings to make atonement for Israel, and all the work of the house of our God.

The people commit to providing for the temple and its services through a yearly contribution of one-third of a shekel. This provision ensures that the showbread, offerings, and other temple needs are continually met. Their willingness to fund these religious duties demonstrates the seriousness of their commitment to restoring worship according to God’s commands.

Nehemiah 10:34-37 (NKJV)
34 We cast lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people, for bringing the wood offering into the house of our God, according to our fathers’ houses, at the appointed times year by year, to burn on the altar of the Lord our God as it is written in the Law.
35 And we made ordinances to bring the firstfruits of our ground and the firstfruits of all fruit of all trees, year by year, to the house of the Lord;
36 to bring the firstborn of our sons and our cattle, as it is written in the Law, and the firstborn of our herds and our flocks, to the house of our God, to the priests who minister in the house of our God;
37 to bring the firstfruits of our dough, our offerings, the fruit from all kinds of trees, the new wine and oil, to the priests, to the storerooms of the house of our God; and to bring the tithes of our land to the Levites, for the Levites should receive the tithes in all our farming communities.

The people also commit to providing the wood for temple sacrifices, as well as bringing their firstfruits and the firstborn of their families and animals to the temple. These offerings reflect obedience to the Law and acknowledge God’s provision. The tithes support the Levites, who serve in the temple and rely on these gifts for sustenance, ensuring the proper functioning of the religious system.

Nehemiah 10:38-39 (NKJV)
38 And the priest, the descendant of Aaron, shall be with the Levites when the Levites receive tithes; and the Levites shall bring up a tenth of the tithes to the house of our God, to the rooms of the storehouse.
39 For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the grain, of the new wine and the oil, to the storerooms where the articles of the sanctuary are, where the priests who minister and the gatekeepers and the singers are; and we will not neglect the house of our God.

The priests and Levites are responsible for managing the tithes and offerings, ensuring that a portion is brought to the temple storehouse for the support of the priests, gatekeepers, and singers. This system provides for the temple's operations and the community's worship life. The people’s vow not to neglect the house of God shows their determination to uphold their spiritual responsibilities.