Nehemiah 13
Nehemiah 13 highlights Nehemiah's return to Jerusalem after a brief absence and his efforts to address various issues that arose during his absence. The chapter focuses on his reforms, which include removing Tobiah from the temple, correcting the misuse of temple resources, reestablishing Sabbath observance, and ensuring that the people separate from foreign influences. Nehemiah's firm leadership and dedication to upholding God's commands are central to this chapter, demonstrating his commitment to preserving the sanctity of the Jewish community.
Nehemiah 13:1-5 (NKJV)
1 On that day they read from the Book of Moses in the hearing of the people, and in it was found written that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever come into the assembly of God,
2 because they had not met the children of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them. However, our God turned the curse into a blessing.
3 So it was, when they had heard the Law, that they separated all the mixed multitude from Israel.
4 Now before this, Eliashib the priest, having authority over the storerooms of the house of our God, was allied with Tobiah.
5 And he had prepared for him a large room, where previously they had stored the grain offerings, the frankincense, the articles, the tithes of grain, the new wine and oil, which were commanded to be given to the Levites and singers and gatekeepers, and the offerings for the priests.
When the Book of Moses was read aloud, the people rediscovered the command to exclude Ammonites and Moabites due to their hostile actions in Israel’s past. This led to a renewed effort to separate from foreign influences. Meanwhile, Eliashib, the priest, had allowed Tobiah, a known opponent of Nehemiah, to reside in the temple's storerooms, displacing sacred offerings meant for the temple services. This demonstrates how neglect of God's law had crept into the leadership.
Nehemiah 13:6-9 (NKJV)
6 But during all this I was not in Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I had returned to the king. Then after certain days I obtained leave from the king,
7 and I came to Jerusalem and discovered the evil that Eliashib had done for Tobiah, in preparing a room for him in the courts of the house of God.
8 And it grieved me bitterly; therefore I threw all the household goods of Tobiah out of the room.
9 Then I commanded them to cleanse the rooms; and I brought back into them the articles of the house of God, with the grain offering and the frankincense.
Upon his return to Jerusalem after a period away in Babylon, Nehemiah discovers that Tobiah, an Ammonite official and thus not a Jew, has been allowed to live in a room within the Temple complex, which was intended for storing offerings and sacred items. This situation arose due to Eliashib the priest forming an alliance with Tobiah, violating the laws that prohibited Ammonites from entering the assembly of the Lord (Deuteronomy 23:3-6). Outraged by this corruption and compromise, Nehemiah immediately expels Tobiah’s belongings from the room and orders it to be purified and restored for its intended sacred use. His actions underscore his commitment to maintaining the holiness of the Temple and the integrity of worship practices, emphasizing the importance of keeping foreign influences out of such a sacred space.
Nehemiah 13:10-14 (NKJV)
10 I also realized that the portions for the Levites had not been given them; for each of the Levites and the singers who did the work had gone back to his field.
11 So I contended with the rulers, and said, “Why is the house of God forsaken?” And I gathered them together and set them in their place.
12 Then all Judah brought the tithe of the grain and the new wine and the oil to the storehouse.
13 And I appointed as treasurers over the storehouse 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 considered faithful, and their task was to distribute to their brethren.
14 Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for its services!
Nehemiah discovered that the Levites had left their service to the temple because they were not receiving the offerings due to them. He confronted the leaders, restored the Levites to their duties, and organized the collection of tithes. Nehemiah appointed trustworthy men to manage the storehouses, ensuring proper distribution. His prayer for God to remember his good deeds shows his personal reliance on God's recognition rather than human praise.
Nehemiah 13:15-18 (NKJV)
15 In those days I saw people in Judah treading winepresses on the Sabbath, and 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 warned them about the day on which they were selling provisions.
16 Men of Tyre dwelt there also, who brought in fish and all kinds of goods, and sold them on the Sabbath to the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.
17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said to them, “What evil thing is this that you do, by which you profane the Sabbath day?
18 Did not your fathers do thus, and did not our God bring all this disaster on us and on this city? Yet you bring added wrath on Israel by profaning the Sabbath.”
Nehemiah observed widespread Sabbath violations, with people engaging in trade and work on the holy day. This greatly troubled him because he understood that the Sabbath was meant for rest and worship, not commerce. Nehemiah strongly rebuked the nobles for allowing these activities, reminding them that previous disregard for God's laws had brought calamity on Israel, and he feared the same consequences for continuing such practices.
Nehemiah 13:19-22 (NKJV)
19 So it was, at the gates of Jerusalem, as it began to be dark before the Sabbath, that I commanded the gates to be shut, and charged that they must not be opened till after the Sabbath. Then I posted some of my servants at the gates, so that no burdens would be brought in on the Sabbath day.
20 Now the merchants and sellers of all kinds of wares lodged outside Jerusalem once or twice.
21 Then I warned them, and said to them, “Why do you spend the night around the wall? If you do so again, I will lay hands on you!” From that time on they came no more on the Sabbath.
22 And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should go and guard the gates, to sanctify the Sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of Your mercy!
To prevent further Sabbath violations, Nehemiah ordered the city gates closed before the Sabbath and posted guards to stop merchants from entering. Despite merchants attempting to camp outside the walls, Nehemiah firmly warned them not to return, and his firmness stopped the practice. He also commanded the Levites to take responsibility for guarding the Sabbath. Nehemiah again prayed for God's mercy and favor, seeking divine approval for his reforms.
Nehemiah 13:23-27 (NKJV)
23 In those days I also saw Jews who had married women of Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab.
24 And half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod, and could not speak the language of Judah, but spoke according to the language of one or the other people.
25 So I contended with them and cursed them, struck some of them and pulled out their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, “You shall not give your daughters as wives to their sons, nor take their daughters for your sons or yourselves.
26 Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? Yet among many nations there was no king like him, who was beloved of his God; and God made him king over all Israel. Nevertheless pagan women caused even him to sin.
27 Should we then hear of your doing all this great evil, transgressing against our God by marrying pagan women?”
Nehemiah encountered Jews who had intermarried with foreign women, leading to the dilution of the Hebrew language and culture. He strongly rebuked them for this disobedience, recalling how even King Solomon, beloved by God, was led astray by foreign wives. Nehemiah’s actions—scolding, physical punishment, and forcing them to swear an oath—demonstrate his deep concern for preserving Israel's identity and faithfulness to God.
Nehemiah 13:28-31 (NKJV)
28 And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was a son-in-law of Sanballat the Horonite; therefore I drove him from me.
29 Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites.
30 Thus I cleansed them of everything pagan. I also assigned duties to the priests and the Levites, each to his service,
31 and to bringing the wood offering and the firstfruits at appointed times. Remember me, O my God, for good!
Nehemiah found that even the priesthood had been compromised through alliances with foreign enemies, including Sanballat. He expelled the offenders and prayed that God would judge them for defiling the priesthood. Nehemiah's reforms cleansed the community of foreign influences, reestablished proper worship, and ensured the offerings were made regularly. His final prayer reflects his ongoing desire for God’s favor in his efforts to purify and restore the nation.