Nehemiah13

Upon returning to Jerusalem, Nehemiah discovered various abuses among the people, including the defilement of the Temple by Tobiah, the neglect of the Levites' provisions, widespread Sabbath profanation, and intermarriage with foreign women. He immediately took decisive action to rectify these issues, cleansing the Temple, restoring the tithes, enforcing strict Sabbath observance, and confronting those who had taken foreign wives. Nehemiah's reforms aimed to restore the people's fidelity to God's law and the covenant.
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Separation of the Mixed Multitude

1
On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever; ​
2
Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing. ​
3
Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude. ​

Nehemiah Expels Tobiah

4
And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah: ​
5
And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which was commanded to be given to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests. ​
6
But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king: ​
7
And I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God.
8
And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber. ​
9
Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat offering and the frankincense.

Restoring the Tithes and Levites' Support

10
And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them: for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field. ​
11
Then contended I 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 brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries.
13
And I 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 office was to distribute unto their brethren. ​
14
Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof. ​

Enforcing Sabbath Observance

15
In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals. ​
16
There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.
17
Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day?
18
Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath. ​
19
And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day. ​
20
So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice.
21
Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath.
22
And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy. ​

Purity of Marriage and Language

23
In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab: ​
24
And their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews' language, but according to the language of each people. ​
25
And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves. ​
26
Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin. ​
27
Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives?
28
And one 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. ​
29
Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites.

Cleansing and Final Dedication

30
Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business; ​
31
And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good. ​

Study Notes for Nehemiah 13

Verse 1

This reading of the Law (likely Deut. 23:3-5) highlighted the historical enmity of Ammon and Moab, justifying their exclusion from full participation in the assembly.

Verse 2

The reference to Balaam recalls the attempt by Balak of Moab to curse Israel during the Exodus; God used this attempt to underscore the protective nature of His covenant.

Verse 3

The immediate response shows the people's willingness to obey the written Law once it was understood, separating themselves from those who might compromise their covenant purity.

Verse 4

This verse sets the stage for the chapter’s major crises. Eliashib, the high priest, was allied with Tobiah (an Ammonite and antagonist), showing deep corruption at the highest level of religious leadership.

Verse 5

The chamber was intended for sacred supplies (tithes, offerings, vessels); giving it to Tobiah, a foreign enemy, was a profound act of temple profanation.

Verse 6

Nehemiah’s absence (a standard term of service, c. 433 BC) explains the rapid spiritual decline in Jerusalem, illustrating the necessity of strong, vigilant leadership.

Verse 8

Nehemiah's grief and immediate, physical action demonstrate his commitment to God’s holiness over political expediency or personal ties.

Verse 10

The failure to provide the Levites' mandated support (tithes) meant they could not perform temple service and had to return to manual labor in their fields to survive.

Verse 11

Nehemiah directs his anger at the rulers (magistrates/nobles), holding them accountable for their failure to enforce the financial provisions necessary to maintain the temple system.

Verse 13

Nehemiah established a system of administration, appointing men 'counted faithful' to ensure the proper, honest distribution of the temple resources, preventing future abuses.

Verse 14

This is the first of several personal prayers scattered throughout the chapter, revealing Nehemiah’s motivation and reliance on divine approval rather than human reward.

Verse 15

Commercial activity on the Sabbath violated the foundational covenant law (Ex. 20:8-11). Nehemiah saw this economic greed as a direct continuation of the sins that led to the exile (v. 18).

Verse 18

Nehemiah connects the current sin of Sabbath desecration directly to the historical sins of their ancestors, emphasizing that failure to honor God's law invites divine judgment.

Verse 19

Nehemiah instituted a practical solution by using his own men and Levites to physically control the gates, ensuring that commerce could not enter the city after sunset on Friday.

Verse 22

The Levites were tasked with guarding the gates, combining the practical closing of the city with their ritual role of sanctifying the temple area. This prayer is another plea for God’s mercy.

Verse 23

Intermarriage with women from Ammon, Moab, and Ashdod was a direct violation of Ezra’s previous reforms and the Law (Deut. 7:3), threatening the purity of the covenant community.

Verse 24

The inability of the children to speak the 'Jews' language' (Hebrew/Aramaic) signifies the loss of cultural and religious identity, as the language of faith transmission was being erased.

Verse 25

Nehemiah’s extreme reaction—cursing, striking, and physically pulling hair—reflects the gravity of the offense, treating it as a violent assault on the covenant itself.

Verse 26

Nehemiah uses the example of Solomon, the wisest king, whose foreign wives led him into idolatry, to show that even the greatest leaders are vulnerable to this sin.

Verse 28

The corruption reached into the highest priestly family; marrying into the family of Sanballat (the chief political enemy) was the ultimate act of treason and defilement of the priesthood.

Verse 30

Nehemiah summarizes his extensive reforms: removing foreign influence, restoring the proper organization of the temple staff, and securing the necessary provisions.

Verse 31

The wood offering was essential for the daily burnt sacrifices. Nehemiah concludes his memoir with a final, poignant plea for God’s favor based on his faithful service.

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