Nehemiah 13:28

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.

And one of the sons {H1121} of Joiada {H3111}, the son {H1121} of Eliashib {H475} the high {H1419} priest {H3548}, was son in law {H2860} to Sanballat {H5571} the Horonite {H2772}: therefore I chased {H1272} him from me.

One of the sons of Yoyada the son of Elyashiv, the cohen hagadol, had become son-in-law to Sanvalat the Horoni; so I drove him out of my presence.

Even one of the sons of Jehoiada son of Eliashib the high priest had become a son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite. Therefore I drove him away from me.

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.

Commentary

Nehemiah 13:28 reveals a critical moment in Nehemiah’s efforts to restore spiritual purity and order in post-exilic Jerusalem. This verse highlights Nehemiah’s decisive action against a prominent individual who had violated God’s law, underscoring his unwavering commitment to covenant faithfulness.

Context

Following his return to Persia and subsequent second visit to Jerusalem, Nehemiah discovered that many of the reforms he had instituted were being neglected. The people, including the high priestly family, had fallen back into old patterns of compromise. Specifically, Eliashib the high priest had allowed Tobiah the Ammonite, an enemy of God’s people, to occupy a temple chamber. Nehemiah’s zeal for God’s house led him to forcefully expel Tobiah and cleanse the chambers.

This verse addresses another severe breach: a grandson of Eliashib, identified as a son of Joiada, had married the daughter of Sanballat the Horonite. Sanballat was a long-standing and bitter adversary of Nehemiah and the Jewish people’s efforts to rebuild Jerusalem and its spiritual life. This intermarriage was a direct violation of God’s commands, which were intended to preserve the spiritual integrity and distinctiveness of Israel, as seen in Deuteronomy 7:3-4 and emphasized during the return from exile in books like Ezra (Ezra 9:2).

Key Themes and Messages

  • Uncompromising Faithfulness: Nehemiah’s action demonstrates a powerful commitment to God’s law above personal ties or political expediency. He did not hesitate to confront even those from the high priestly lineage.
  • Purity of the Priesthood: The priestly line was meant to be set apart and holy. This intermarriage defiled the very institution responsible for upholding God's covenant with Israel.
  • Consequences of Spiritual Compromise: The verse illustrates how easily compromise can infiltrate even the highest levels of religious leadership, leading to a dilution of faith and practice.
  • Separation from Ungodly Influences: Nehemiah understood that alliances through marriage with those hostile to God's purposes posed a grave threat to the spiritual health of the community. His command to "chase him from me" reflects a necessary act of spiritual purification.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "chased him from me" (KJV) or "drove him away from me" signifies a forceful, decisive expulsion. Nehemiah did not merely admonish; he acted to physically remove the individual, indicating the severity of the offense and his resolve to protect the holiness of the community and the priesthood.

Practical Application

Nehemiah 13:28 serves as a timeless reminder for believers today to guard against spiritual compromise. Just as ancient Israel was called to be distinct, Christians are called to be separate from worldly influences that contradict God’s Word. This includes careful consideration of relationships, associations, and decisions that could dilute one's faith or compromise the integrity of the church. It calls for unwavering adherence to God's standards, even when it means confronting difficult situations or making unpopular choices for the sake of divine truth and purity.

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 2:19

    But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard [it], they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What [is] this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king?

  • Nehemiah 2:10

    When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard [of it], it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.

  • Nehemiah 3:1

    ¶ Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel.

  • Nehemiah 6:17

    Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters unto Tobiah, and [the letters] of Tobiah came unto them.

  • Nehemiah 6:19

    Also they reported his good deeds before me, and uttered my words to him. [And] Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.

  • Nehemiah 12:22

    The Levites in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, and Johanan, and Jaddua, [were] recorded chief of the fathers: also the priests, to the reign of Darius the Persian.

  • Nehemiah 12:10

    And Jeshua begat Joiakim, Joiakim also begat Eliashib, and Eliashib begat Joiada,
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