Nehemiah 13:30

Commentary on Nehemiah 13:30 (KJV)

Nehemiah 13:30 concludes a powerful passage detailing Nehemiah’s decisive reforms upon his return to Jerusalem. After serving as governor and rebuilding the walls, Nehemiah had gone back to Persia. Upon his second visit, he found the people had significantly backslid from their covenant commitments, neglecting the temple, profaning the Sabbath, and engaging in forbidden intermarriage with foreign women.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse highlights Nehemiah's zeal for restoring the purity and order of the Israelite community, particularly in the post-exilic period. The "strangers" mentioned refer primarily to foreign wives and their children, who were seen as a direct threat to the spiritual distinctiveness of Israel and their fidelity to God's law. God's covenant with Israel emphasized separation from pagan nations to prevent idolatry and moral corruption, a principle articulated in laws such as Deuteronomy 7:3. Nehemiah's actions were drastic but rooted in the Mosaic Law and the historical failures of Israel when they compromised their identity (see also Ezra 9:2 for Ezra's earlier concerns).

The phrase "appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business" speaks to Nehemiah's re-establishment of the proper temple service. During his absence, the Levites had not been supported, leading them to abandon their duties and return to their fields (Nehemiah 13:10). Nehemiah ensured that the priests and Levites were properly organized, supported, and assigned to their specific roles in the temple, restoring the orderly worship of God.

Key Themes and Messages

• Purity and Separation: Nehemiah’s primary concern was the spiritual cleansing of the community from influences that compromised their covenant relationship with God. This involved not only the removal of foreign elements but also the restoration of holiness.
• Order and Accountability: The verse underscores the importance of proper structure and individual responsibility within God's service. By assigning "every one in his business," Nehemiah ensured that the temple functions were carried out diligently and systematically.
• Covenant Faithfulness: Nehemiah acted as a zealous reformer, committed to upholding God's law and calling the people back to obedience, even when it required harsh measures (as seen in Nehemiah 13:25).
• Leadership and Reform: This passage exemplifies strong, uncompromising leadership dedicated to the spiritual well-being of the community, willing to confront sin directly.

Linguistic Insights

• The Hebrew word for "cleansed" is taher (טָהֵר), which means to purify or make ritually clean. It implies a thorough process of removal and restoration to a state of holiness.
• "Strangers" comes from the Hebrew nekar (נֵכָר), referring to foreigners or aliens, often implying those who are not part of the covenant community and whose presence could lead to spiritual defilement.
• "Appointed the wards" (Hebrew: he'emid mishmerot) signifies setting up watches, duties, or assigned posts. This indicates a structured and organized system for carrying out responsibilities.
• "Every one in his business" (Hebrew: 'ish bimlekheto) literally means "each man in his work" or "each man in his service," emphasizing individual diligence and participation in the collective service.

Practical Application

Nehemiah's actions in this verse offer several timeless lessons:

• Spiritual Purity: Believers today are called to maintain spiritual purity by identifying and removing influences that compromise their faith and devotion to God. This can involve separating from ungodly practices or relationships that lead one astray (2 Corinthians 6:17).
• Order in Service: The principle of "every one in his business" reminds us that every believer has a role to play in the body of Christ, and orderliness in service contributes to the effective functioning of the church and the glory of God.
• Diligence and Accountability: Just as Nehemiah held the priests and Levites accountable for their duties, we are called to be diligent and faithful in our responsibilities, whether in our personal walk or in service to the community of faith.
• Courageous Leadership: Leaders in the church and in families are often called to make difficult decisions to uphold biblical standards and guide others toward greater faithfulness, even when it is unpopular.