Nehemiah 10:38

And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house.

And the priest {H3548} the son {H1121} of Aaron {H175} shall be with the Levites {H3881}, when the Levites {H3881} take tithes {H6237}: and the Levites {H3881} shall bring up {H5927} the tithe {H4643} of the tithes {H4643} unto the house {H1004} of our God {H430}, to the chambers {H3957}, into the treasure {H214} house {H1004}.

The cohen the descendant of Aharon is to be with the L'vi'im when the L'vi'im take tenths. The L'vi'im will bring the tenth of the tenth to the house of our God, to the storerooms for supplies.

A priest of Aaron’s line is to accompany the Levites when they collect the tenth, and the Levites are to bring a tenth of these tithes to the storerooms of the treasury in the house of our God.

And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure-house.

Commentary

Commentary on Nehemiah 10:38

Nehemiah 10:38 is part of a significant covenant renewal in post-exilic Jerusalem, where the returned exiles committed themselves to obeying God's laws and supporting the temple service. This verse specifically details the structured system for managing the tithes.

Context

Following the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls under Nehemiah and the spiritual revival led by Ezra, the people of Israel entered into a solemn covenant with God (Nehemiah 9:38). Chapter 10 outlines the specific commitments made, which included promises regarding sabbath observance, temple service, and crucially, financial support. This verse addresses the practicalities of tithing, ensuring that the Levites and priests, who were dedicated to temple duties, would be adequately provided for, allowing them to focus on their spiritual responsibilities without having to cultivate land or pursue other livelihoods.

Key Themes

  • Systematic Support for Ministry: The verse establishes a clear, organized method for the collection and distribution of tithes. This ensured the financial stability of the temple operations and the sustenance of the Levites and priests, who were essential for maintaining the spiritual life of the community.
  • Accountability and Oversight: The presence of "the priest the son of Aaron" with the Levites when they collected tithes highlights a system of accountability. This oversight ensured integrity in the handling of sacred funds and offerings, preventing mismanagement or corruption.
  • The "Tithe of the Tithes": This unique phrase, "the tithe of the tithes," refers to a secondary tithe. The Levites, who received a tithe from the people's produce, were themselves required to give a tenth of what they received to the priests. This system, also outlined in the Mosaic Law (Numbers 18:26-28), ensured that the priestly lineage, specifically the sons of Aaron, were also sustained.
  • Sanctity of Offerings: The destination of these funds—"unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house"—underscores their sacred purpose. These were not merely taxes but holy contributions dedicated to the worship of God and the upkeep of His sanctuary.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "tithe of the tithes" is ma'aser min-hama'aser (מַעֲשֵׂר מִן הַמַּעֲשֵׂר), which literally means "a tenth from the tenth." This precise terminology emphasizes the hierarchical and interlocking structure of the tithing system, where the Levites, as recipients of the primary tithe, also had an obligation to contribute to the priests from their portion.

Practical Application

Nehemiah 10:38 serves as a timeless reminder of several principles for believers today:

  • Stewardship: It emphasizes the importance of faithful giving as an act of worship and obedience to God. Just as the Israelites committed to supporting their spiritual leaders, believers are called to be good stewards of their resources, contributing to the work of God's kingdom.
  • Support for Ministry: The verse highlights the biblical principle of supporting those who serve in full-time ministry. It ensures that those dedicated to teaching, preaching, and spiritual care can devote themselves fully to their calling without being burdened by material needs.
  • Order and Accountability: The meticulous arrangements for handling tithes underscore the importance of order, transparency, and integrity in managing church finances. Resources dedicated to God's work should be handled with utmost care and accountability.
  • Covenant Faithfulness: The commitment in Nehemiah 10 was a response to God's faithfulness. Similarly, our giving today is an expression of our faithfulness to God and our participation in His ongoing work in the world, reflecting a heart that trusts in His provision and seeks to honor Him. For further insight into the blessings associated with faithful giving, consider Malachi 3:10.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Nehemiah 13:12

    Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries.

  • Nehemiah 13:13

    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.

  • Numbers 18:26

    Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the LORD, [even] a tenth [part] of the tithe.

  • Numbers 18:28

    Thus ye also shall offer an heave offering unto the LORD of all your tithes, which ye receive of the children of Israel; and ye shall give thereof the LORD'S heave offering to Aaron the priest.

  • 1 Chronicles 9:26

    For these Levites, the four chief porters, were in [their] set office, and were over the chambers and treasuries of the house of God.

  • 2 Chronicles 31:11

    ¶ Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of the LORD; and they prepared [them],

  • 2 Chronicles 31:12

    And brought in the offerings and the tithes and the dedicated [things] faithfully: over which Cononiah the Levite [was] ruler, and Shimei his brother [was] the next.
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