Nehemiah 10:39

For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where [are] the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God.

For the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} and the children {H1121} of Levi {H3878} shall bring {H935} the offering {H8641} of the corn {H1715}, of the new wine {H8492}, and the oil {H3323}, unto the chambers {H3957}, where are the vessels {H3627} of the sanctuary {H4720}, and the priests {H3548} that minister {H8334}, and the porters {H7778}, and the singers {H7891}: and we will not forsake {H5800} the house {H1004} of our God {H430}.

For the people of Isra'el and the descendants of Levi are to bring the contribution of grain, wine and olive oil to the rooms where the equipment for the sanctuary, the ministering cohanim, the gatekeepers and the singers are. We will not abandon the house of our God."

For the Israelites and the Levites are to bring the contributions of grain, new wine, and oil to the storerooms where the articles of the sanctuary are kept and where the ministering priests, the gatekeepers, and the singers stay. Thus we will not neglect the house of our God.”

For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the heave-offering of the grain, of the new wine, and of the oil, unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God.

Commentary

Context

Nehemiah 10:39 is part of a solemn covenant made by the returned exiles in Jerusalem, following the rebuilding of the city walls. After hearing the Law read by Ezra (see Nehemiah 8) and confessing their sins (Nehemiah 9), the people entered into a binding agreement with God. This chapter details the specific vows they made, including commitments to observe the Law, avoid intermarriage, keep the Sabbath, and critically, to support the temple and its services. Verse 39 specifically outlines their renewed commitment to provide for the Levites, priests, and temple functionaries, ensuring the proper maintenance and operation of the "house of our God" after years of neglect and disarray.

Key Themes

  • Stewardship and Provision: The verse highlights the community's responsibility to bring their produce—corn, new wine, and oil—as offerings to sustain the temple operations and those who served there. This was a practical demonstration of their faith and obedience to God's commands regarding tithes and offerings (e.g., Numbers 18:21-24).
  • Covenant Loyalty: The concluding phrase, "and we will not forsake the house of our God," encapsulates the essence of their renewed commitment. It's a powerful vow to uphold their obligations and ensure the continuity of worship and service, directly addressing the past failures of Israel to support the temple, which often led to its disrepair and the Levites abandoning their posts (as seen later in Nehemiah 13:10-11).
  • Order and Functionality of Worship: By specifying the "chambers" for storage, the "vessels of the sanctuary," and the roles of "priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers," the verse emphasizes the importance of a well-organized and fully provisioned system for sacred worship. Every aspect of temple service depended on these regular contributions.

Linguistic Insights

The term "chambers" (Hebrew: lishkot) refers to specific rooms or storerooms within the temple complex, designated for holding the offerings, sacred vessels, and provisions for the priests and Levites. The "offering" (Hebrew: terumah) generally denotes a contribution or heave offering, often a portion of the harvest set apart for God's purposes. The phrase "will not forsake" (Hebrew: lo na'azov) carries a strong sense of commitment and resolve, implying a deliberate choice to not abandon or neglect their duties towards God's dwelling place and His servants.

Practical Application

Nehemiah 10:39 offers timeless principles for believers today. Just as the ancient Israelites committed to supporting the temple, believers are called to support the work of God in the world, primarily through the local church. This includes:

  • Generous Stewardship: Contributing financially and materially to the needs of the church and its ministries, ensuring that those who serve full-time are provided for, and that resources are available for worship, teaching, and outreach.
  • Active Participation: Beyond financial giving, it means not "forsaking" the assembly of believers (Hebrews 10:25), but actively participating in communal worship, service, and fellowship.
  • Commitment to God's Presence: Recognizing that the church, as the body of Christ, is the contemporary "house of God" where His Spirit dwells. Our commitment to its health and mission reflects our loyalty to Him.

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that our faith is not merely personal belief but also involves communal responsibility and practical support for the ongoing work of God's kingdom.

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

  • 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.

  • Hebrews 10:25

    Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

  • Deuteronomy 14:23

    And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always.

  • Deuteronomy 14:27

    And the Levite that [is] within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee.

  • Nehemiah 13:10

    ¶ 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.

  • Nehemiah 13:12

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

  • Numbers 18:30

    Therefore thou shalt say unto them, When ye have heaved the best thereof from it, then it shall be counted unto the Levites as the increase of the threshingfloor, and as the increase of the winepress.
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