Nehemiah 13:29

KJV

Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites.

KJV (with Strong's)

Remember {H2142} them, O my God {H430}, because they have defiled {H1352} the priesthood {H3550}, and the covenant {H1285} of the priesthood {H3550}, and of the Levites {H3881}.

Complete Jewish Bible

My God, remember them; because they have defiled the office of cohen and the covenant of the cohanim and L'vi'im.

Berean Standard Bible

Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites.

American Standard Version

Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 13:29 captures a fervent prayer from Nehemiah, appealing to God for divine remembrance and justice against those who had profoundly defiled the sacred priesthood and the covenant established with the priests and Levites. This impassioned plea arises from Nehemiah's discovery of widespread spiritual compromise upon his second return to Jerusalem, particularly the egregious violation of intermarriage with foreign women by members of the priestly lineage, which threatened the very spiritual integrity and distinctiveness of the post-exilic community and the sanctity of their covenant relationship with God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 13:29 concludes a series of forceful reforms Nehemiah undertakes during his second tenure as governor in Jerusalem. After his initial successful efforts to rebuild the walls and restore order, Nehemiah had returned to Persia. Upon his return to Jerusalem, he found that many of the spiritual and social reforms he had instituted had been severely neglected. This chapter details his zealous actions to correct these abuses: expelling Tobiah from the Temple courts (see [Nehemiah 13:4-9](/nehemiah/13-4-9 "Nehemiah 13:4-9 - Tobiah's Expulsion from the Temple")), restoring proper support for the Levites who had fled due to lack of provisions (see [Nehemiah 13:10-14](/nehemiah/13-10-14 "Nehemiah 13:10-14 - Restoration of Support for the Levites")), and re-establishing the sanctity of the Sabbath (see [Nehemiah 13:15-22](/nehemiah/13-15-22 "Nehemiah 13:15-22 - Re-establishment of Sabbath Observance")). The immediate context of verse 29 is Nehemiah's confrontation with the pervasive issue of intermarriage with foreign women, a direct violation of God's law, highlighted by the shocking revelation that a son of the high priest, Joiada, had married a daughter of Sanballat the Horonite, a chief adversary of the Jews (see [Nehemiah 13:28](/nehemiah/13-28 "Nehemiah 13:28 - High Priest's Son Marries Sanballat's Daughter")). Nehemiah's prayer in verse 29 is a direct, urgent response to this profound defilement of the priestly line and the covenant.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The post-exilic period was a critical time for the Jewish community to re-establish its identity and covenant relationship with God after the Babylonian exile. The returnees were meant to be a holy remnant, distinct from the surrounding nations, dedicated to the Law of Moses. Intermarriage with foreign peoples was strictly forbidden (see [Deuteronomy 7:3-4](/deuteronomy/7-3-4 "Deuteronomy 7:3-4 - Prohibition of Intermarriage with Foreigners")), not merely for ethnic purity but primarily for spiritual purity, as it invariably led to idolatry and the erosion of covenant faithfulness. The priesthood held a central role in maintaining this holiness, serving as mediators between God and Israel, responsible for teaching the Law and conducting sacred rituals. Their purity and adherence to God's commands were paramount. The actions of the high priest's family, therefore, represented a catastrophic breach of spiritual integrity at the highest level, undermining the very foundation of the community's relationship with God and its unique identity as a holy nation. This context underscores Nehemiah's extreme zeal and the gravity of the defilement, which threatened to undo all the efforts to restore Israel's distinctiveness.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes present throughout the book of Nehemiah and the broader post-exilic narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **Sanctity of the Priesthood** and the critical importance of maintaining the purity and integrity of those who serve in sacred offices. The priesthood was not merely a job but a holy calling requiring strict adherence to God's commands, as outlined in the Mosaic Law. Secondly, it emphasizes **Covenant Faithfulness**, particularly concerning the specific covenant God had established with the priestly and Levitical lines (e.g., [Numbers 25:13](/numbers/25-13 "Numbers 25:13 - Phinehas's Covenant of Priesthood"), [Malachi 2:4-8](/malachi/2-4-8 "Malachi 2:4-8 - The Covenant with Levi and Priestly Duty")). Defiling this covenant through forbidden intermarriage and neglect of duties meant breaking a solemn oath made before God, with serious consequences for the entire community. Thirdly, Nehemiah's passionate prayer reflects his deep **Zeal for God's Law and Honor**. He understood that the spiritual health and very existence of the nation depended on its strict adherence to divine standards. Finally, the verse underscores the severe **Consequences of Disobedience** and spiritual compromise, especially for those entrusted with sacred duties, demonstrating how such actions could pollute the entire community and provoke divine judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Remember (Hebrew, _zâkar'_):** This word (H2142), often translated "remember," signifies more than mere mental recall when addressed to God. In a theological context, it implies active, purposeful intervention, often with judicial or covenantal implications. When Nehemiah prays "Remember them, O my God," he is not asking God to simply recall the offenders' actions, but to act decisively and justly in response to their profound defilement. It is an appeal for divine judgment and consequences for those who have profaned sacred things, similar to Nehemiah's other prayers for God to "remember" his own good deeds or the evil deeds of his enemies (e.g., [Nehemiah 5:19](/nehemiah/5-19 "Nehemiah 5:19 - Nehemiah's Prayer for Remembrance"), [Nehemiah 13:14](/nehemiah/13-14 "Nehemiah 13:14 - Nehemiah's Prayer for Remembrance"), [Nehemiah 13:22](/nehemiah/13-22 "Nehemiah 13:22 - Nehemiah's Prayer for Remembrance"), [Nehemiah 13:31](/nehemiah/13-31 "Nehemiah 13:31 - Nehemiah's Final Prayer")).
* **Defiled (Hebrew, _gôʼel'_):** The Hebrew word _gôʼel_ (H1352), used here for "defiled," specifically means "profanation." It carries a strong sense of making something sacred common or unclean, rendering it unfit for God's service or presence. In this context, the defilement is not merely ceremonial but moral and spiritual, stemming from a direct violation of God's commands regarding the purity of the priestly line and the separation of Israel. The actions of intermarriage, particularly by those in priestly office, constituted a "profanation" in a profound spiritual sense, indicating a direct affront against God's holiness and the integrity of His covenant.
* **Covenant (Hebrew, _bᵉrîyth'_):** A _bᵉrîyth_ (H1285) is a solemn agreement or treaty, often accompanied by oaths and rituals, establishing a relationship with mutual obligations. Here, it refers specifically to the "covenant of the priesthood" (e.g., [Numbers 25:12-13](/numbers/25-12-13 "Numbers 25:12-13 - Phinehas's Covenant of Peace and Priesthood")). This was an everlasting covenant of peace and priesthood granted to Phinehas and his descendants due to his zeal for God's holiness. It also refers more broadly to the covenant with Levi (see [Malachi 2:4-8](/malachi/2-4-8 "Malachi 2:4-8 - The Covenant with Levi and Priestly Duty")), which outlined the responsibilities of the priests as guardians of the Law, teachers, and pure servants of God. The defilement of this covenant meant a betrayal of God's trust and a violation of the very terms by which the priesthood was established and maintained.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Remember them, O my God":** This is a direct, personal, and passionate appeal from Nehemiah to God. It is not a request for petty vengeance, but a plea for divine justice and intervention in light of the severe spiritual breakdown he has witnessed. Nehemiah trusts God's righteous judgment to address the unfaithfulness of those who should have been exemplary in upholding divine standards.
* **"because they have defiled the priesthood":** The "them" refers primarily to those priests and Levites, and their families, who had engaged in forbidden intermarriage, most notably the son of Joiada, the high priest, who married Sanballat's daughter. This act of intermarriage, explicitly forbidden by God's Law (see [Ezra 9:1-2](/ezra/9-1-2 "Ezra 9:1-2 - Forbidden Intermarriage")), was a direct defilement and profanation. It polluted the sacred lineage, compromised the spiritual purity required of those who ministered in the Temple, and blurred the distinct lines God had drawn between Israel and the nations, making the sacred common.
* **"and the covenant of the priesthood":** This clause specifies the nature of the defilement. It wasn't just a minor transgression but a violation of the foundational covenant that established the priesthood itself. This covenant demanded purity, separation, and faithfulness to God's commands. By intermarrying and allowing foreign influences to penetrate the sacred office, these individuals directly broke the terms of this divine agreement, jeopardizing the spiritual integrity of the entire nation and their role as God's representatives.
* **"and of the Levites":** The Levites were the assistants to the priests, also consecrated for Temple service, though in a different capacity. Their covenant and duties were closely tied to those of the priesthood. The phrase "and of the Levites" indicates that the defilement was not isolated to the high priestly family but was a broader issue affecting the entire Levitical order, either through their own intermarriages, neglect of duties (as seen in [Nehemiah 13:10](/nehemiah/13-10 "Nehemiah 13:10 - Levites Flee Due to Lack of Support")), or complicity in the general spiritual decay. Their failure to uphold their sacred responsibilities contributed to the widespread profanation.

#### Literary Devices
Nehemiah 13:29 is a powerful example of **Prayer/Supplication**, where the author directly addresses God with an earnest plea for divine action. This prayer functions as a potent **Rhetorical Appeal**, not only to God for justice but also implicitly to the reader, underscoring the gravity of the spiritual compromise and Nehemiah's unwavering zeal for God's holiness. The verse also employs **Repetition** of the "remember" motif, which is a characteristic feature of Nehemiah's personal prayers throughout the book, emphasizing his reliance on divine intervention and judgment and highlighting his persistent appeal to God's covenant faithfulness. Furthermore, it serves as an **Exhortation** by example, demonstrating Nehemiah's commitment to upholding God's Law even when faced with widespread apostasy, thereby challenging the audience to similar faithfulness and integrity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah's impassioned prayer in this verse underscores the profound importance of holiness and covenant faithfulness, especially for those entrusted with spiritual leadership. It reflects God's own zeal for the purity of His people and the sanctity of His worship. The defilement of the priesthood was not a mere administrative error but a direct affront to God's character and a betrayal of the sacred trust placed in His chosen ministers. This highlights the enduring theological principle that God demands purity and faithfulness from those who serve Him, and that spiritual compromise, particularly by leaders, has far-reaching and devastating consequences for the entire community. It also reinforces the concept that God is a God of justice who remembers both good deeds and transgressions, and will act accordingly to uphold His righteous standards.

* [Numbers 25:13](/numbers/25-13 "Numbers 25:13 - Phinehas's Covenant of Everlasting Priesthood")
* [Malachi 2:4-8](/malachi/2-4-8 "Malachi 2:4-8 - The Covenant with Levi and Priestly Duty")
* [Ezra 9:1-2](/ezra/9-1-2 "Ezra 9:1-2 - Forbidden Intermarriage and Its Consequences")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Nehemiah's fervent plea in Nehemiah 13:29 serves as a timeless warning and a powerful call to integrity for believers today. It reminds us that those in positions of spiritual leadership, whether formally ordained or serving in influential roles within the church and community, are held to a higher standard of integrity and faithfulness. Their actions can significantly impact the spiritual well-being of others and the reputation of the faith. Moreover, this verse challenges every believer, as part of the "priesthood of all believers" (see [1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - The Priesthood of All Believers")), to live lives that honor God and uphold His standards. The seriousness of spiritual compromise, whether through deliberate sin, neglect of spiritual duties, or allowing worldly influences to corrupt our faith, remains as potent today as it was in Nehemiah's time. Just as the ancient priesthood had a covenant, believers today are in a new covenant with God through Christ, and breaking spiritual commitments has serious implications for one's relationship with God and the purity of the church. Nehemiah's example also encourages us to pray earnestly for the purity and faithfulness of God's people and leaders, asking God to address and rectify spiritual defilement wherever it exists.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might spiritual leaders today "defile the priesthood" or "covenant" through compromise or neglect?**
* **How does Nehemiah's zeal for God's holiness challenge my own commitment to purity and faithfulness in my personal life?**
* **What are the "foreign influences" in our contemporary culture that threaten to "defile" the church or individual believers?**
* **How can we, like Nehemiah, pray effectively for the integrity and purity of God's people and leaders?**

### FAQ

**Why was intermarriage such a serious offense, especially for the priesthood?**

Answer: Intermarriage with foreign peoples was a serious offense primarily because it threatened the spiritual purity and distinct identity of Israel as God's chosen people. God had explicitly forbidden it (e.g., [Deuteronomy 7:3-4](/deuteronomy/7-3-4 "Deuteronomy 7:3-4 - Prohibition of Intermarriage")) because it invariably led to idolatry and the adoption of pagan practices, thereby corrupting Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh. For the priesthood, this offense was even more egregious. Priests were required to maintain a higher standard of holiness and ritual purity, as they mediated between God and the people. Their lineage was critical for maintaining the integrity of their sacred office. When a high priest's son married into the family of an adversary like Sanballat, it represented a profound betrayal of trust, a direct violation of the priestly covenant, and a public scandal that undermined the spiritual authority and purity of the entire nation. It blurred the lines between the holy and the profane, which was anathema to God's character and His Law.

**What does "remember" mean in Nehemiah's prayer, and is it a prayer for vengeance?**

Answer: In biblical prayers, especially when addressed to God, "remember" (Hebrew _zâkar'_) goes beyond simple recall. It signifies active, purposeful intervention, often with judicial or covenantal implications. When Nehemiah prays "Remember them, O my God," he is not seeking personal vengeance in a petty sense, but rather appealing to God's righteous character for divine justice. It is a plea for God to take appropriate action in response to the profound defilement of His sacred institutions and covenant. It reflects Nehemiah's zeal for God's honor and his trust that God will uphold His own standards and bring consequences upon those who deliberately profane His name and His commands, particularly those in positions of spiritual responsibility.

**How did the Levites defile the covenant, as mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: While the most prominent example of defilement in Nehemiah 13 is the high priest's son marrying Sanballat's daughter, the inclusion of "and of the Levites" indicates a broader issue of spiritual compromise affecting the entire Levitical order. This defilement could manifest in several ways:
* **Intermarriage:** Some Levites themselves might have engaged in forbidden intermarriage, mirroring the priests.
* **Neglect of Duties:** As seen earlier in the chapter (see [Nehemiah 13:10](/nehemiah/13-10 "Nehemiah 13:10 - Levites Flee Due to Lack of Support")), the Levites had abandoned their Temple duties because the people failed to provide their tithes and offerings. This neglect was a breach of their covenant responsibilities to serve in the Temple.
* **Complicity/Tolerance:** The broader spiritual decay, including the widespread intermarriage and Sabbath defilement, might have been tolerated or even participated in by some Levites, indicating a general decline in their commitment to the purity and distinctiveness demanded by their sacred calling. Their failure to uphold the Law and maintain the sanctity of the Temple system also constituted a defilement of their covenant.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Nehemiah's passionate cry against the defilement of the Old Covenant priesthood finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in Jesus Christ. The earthly priesthood, with its inherent limitations and susceptibility to sin and corruption, pointed forward to the perfect, incorruptible High Priest, Jesus Himself. Unlike the Aaronic priests who could "defile" their office, Jesus is the sinless [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") and the [holy, blameless, undefiled High Priest](/hebrews/7-26 "Hebrews 7:26 - Jesus, Our Perfect High Priest") who offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice [once for all](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26 - Christ's Sacrifice Once for All"). He is the mediator of a [new and better covenant](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - Jesus, Mediator of a Better Covenant"), not based on human obedience to external laws or the purity of a physical lineage, but on His shed blood and perfect righteousness. Through Christ, believers are made part of a "royal priesthood" (see [1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - The Priesthood of All Believers")), called to offer spiritual sacrifices and live lives of holiness, not by their own strength, but by the power of the Holy Spirit and the cleansing blood of Jesus. The defilement Nehemiah lamented is fully atoned for and overcome by Christ, who perfectly upholds the covenant and continually intercedes for His people, ensuring their true spiritual purity before God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Nehemiah 6:14

My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and on the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear.

Numbers 16:9

[Seemeth it but] a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them?

Numbers 16:10

And he hath brought thee near [to him], and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also?

Leviticus 21:1

¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto the priests the sons of Aaron, and say unto them, There shall none be defiled for the dead among his people:

Leviticus 21:7

They shall not take a wife [that is] a whore, or profane; neither shall they take a woman put away from her husband: for he [is] holy unto his God.

Numbers 25:12

Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace:

Numbers 25:13

And he shall have it, and his seed after him, [even] the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel.