Nehemiah 13:12

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

Then brought {H935} all Judah {H3063} the tithe {H4643} of the corn {H1715} and the new wine {H8492} and the oil {H3323} unto the treasuries {H214}.

and then all Y'hudah brought the tenth of grain, wine and olive oil to the storerooms.

and all Judah brought a tenth of the grain, new wine, and oil into the storerooms.

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

Commentary

Nehemiah 13:12 describes a moment of renewed obedience and financial restoration for the people of Judah during Nehemiah's second governorship in Jerusalem. It highlights their collective action in bringing their required offerings to support the temple and its ministers.

Context

This verse is situated in a critical chapter where Nehemiah, after returning to Persia for a period, comes back to Jerusalem to find significant spiritual and administrative decay. The temple services were neglected, and the Levites, who were dependent on the tithes for their livelihood, had abandoned their duties to work their own fields (Nehemiah 13:10). Nehemiah, with characteristic zeal, confronted the officials and the people, reminding them of their covenant obligations. Verse 12 marks the positive response to his strong leadership and rebuke, demonstrating a willingness by "all Judah" to restore proper support for the house of God.

Key Themes

  • Restoration and Obedience: The verse signifies a turning point where the community collectively returned to faithfulness after a period of neglect. Their action was a direct response to Nehemiah's call for reform, illustrating the power of strong, righteous leadership.
  • Support for Ministry: The primary purpose of the tithe was to provide for the priests and Levites who served in the Temple, ensuring they could dedicate themselves fully to their sacred duties without needing to engage in secular labor. This reflects the divine principle of supporting those who serve God's house.
  • Stewardship and Trust: By bringing the tithe of their produce—"corn and the new wine and the oil"—the people acknowledged that all their blessings came from God. This act of giving a tenth was an expression of their trust in God's continued provision and their commitment to His covenant.

Linguistic Insights

The term "tithe" comes from the Hebrew word ma'aser, meaning "a tenth part." This was a foundational practice in ancient Israel, mandated by Mosaic Law (Deuteronomy 14:22). The specific items mentioned—corn (grain), new wine, and oil—were staple agricultural products and represented the primary forms of wealth and sustenance derived from the land. These were the typical commodities used for agricultural tithes, distinguishing them from monetary offerings.

Practical Application

Nehemiah 13:12 serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of financial faithfulness and communal responsibility in supporting spiritual work. Just as the ancient Israelites were called to bring their tithes to the temple treasuries, believers today are encouraged to contribute to their churches and ministries. This support enables those dedicated to ministry to focus on their calling, ensuring the ongoing work of God's kingdom. The verse challenges us to consider our own level of commitment to honoring God with our resources and to actively participate in the financial health and mission of our spiritual communities.

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 10:37

    And [that] we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.

  • 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.

  • Malachi 3:10

    Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that [there shall] not [be room] enough [to receive it].

  • Nehemiah 12:44

    ¶ And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited.

  • Numbers 18:20

    ¶ And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I [am] thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel.

  • 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.

  • Deuteronomy 14:22

    ¶ Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.
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