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Commentary on Nehemiah 13 verses 23–31
We have here one instance more of Nehemiah's pious zeal for the purifying of his countrymen as a peculiar people to God; that was the thing he aimed at in the use of his power, not the enriching of himself. See here,
I. How they had corrupted themselves by marrying strange wives. This was complained of in Ezra's time, and much done towards a reformation, Ezr 9:1-15 and 10. But, when the unclean spirit is cast out, if a watchful eye be not kept upon him, he will re-enter; so he did here. Though in Ezra's time those that had married strange wives were forced to put them away, which could not but occasion trouble and confusion in families, yet others would not take warning. Nitimur in vetitum - we still lean towards what is forbidden. Nehemiah, like a good governor, enquired into the state of the families of those that were under his charge, that he might reform what was amiss in them, and so heal the streams by healing the springs. 1. He enquired whence they had their wives, and found that many of the Jews had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab (Neh 13:23), either because they were fond of what was far-fetched or because they hoped by these alliances to strengthen and enrich themselves. See how God by the prophet reproves this, Mal 2:11. Judah has dealt treacherously, and broken covenant with God, the covenant made in Ezra's time with reference to this very thing; he has profaned the holiness of the Lord by marrying the daughter (that is, the worshipper) of a strange god. 2. He talked with the children, and found they were children of strangers, for their speech betrayed them. The children were bred up with their mothers, and learned of them and their nurses and servants to speak, so that they could not speak the Jews' language, could not speak it at all, or not readily, or not purely, but half in the speech of Ashdod, or Ammon, or Moab, according as the country was which the mother was a native of. Observe, (1.) Children, in their childhood, learn much of their mothers. Partus sequitur ventrem - they are prone to imitate their mothers. (2.) If either side be bad, the corrupt nature will incline the children to take after that, which is a good reason why Christians should not be unequally yoked. (3.) In the education of children great care should be taken about the government of their tongues, that they learn not the language of Ashdod, any impious or impure talk, any corrupt communication.
II. What course Nehemiah took to purge out this corruption, when he discovered how much it had prevailed.
1.He showed them the evil of it, and the obligation he lay under to witness against it. He did not seek an occasion against them, but this was an iniquity to be punished by the judge, and which he must by no means connive at (Neh 13:27): "Shall we hearken to you, who endeavour to palliate and excuse it? No, it is an evil, a great evil, it is a transgression against our God, to marry strange wives, and we must do our utmost to put a stop to it. You beg that they may not be divorced from you, but we cannot hearken to you, for there is no other remedy to clear us from the guilt and prevent infection." (1.) He quotes a precept, to prove that it was in itself a great sin; and makes them swear to that precept: You shall not give your daughters unto their sons, etc., which is taken from Deu 7:3. When we would reclaim people from sin we must show them the sinfulness of it in the glass of the commandment. (2.) He quotes a precedent, to show the pernicious consequences of it, which made it necessary to be animadverted upon by the government (Neh 13:26): Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? The falls of great and good men are recorded in order that we may take warning by them to shun the temptations which they were overcome by. Solomon was famous for wisdom; there was no king like him for it; yet, when he married strange wives, his wisdom could not secure him from their snares, nay, it departed from him, and he did very foolishly. He was beloved of God, but his marrying strange wives threw him out of God's favour, and went near to extinguish the holy fire of grace in his soul: he was king over all Israel; but his doing this occasioned the loss of ten of his twelve tribes. You plead that you can marry strange wives and yet retain the purity of Israelites; but Solomon himself could not; even him did outlandish women cause to sin. Therefore let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall when he runs upon such a precipice.
2.He showed himself highly displeased at it, that he might awaken them to a due sense of the evil of it: He contended with them, Neh 13:25. They offered to justify themselves in what they did, but he showed them how frivolous their excuses were, and argued it warmly with them. When he had silenced them he cursed them, that is, he denounced the judgments of God against them, and showed them what their sin deserved. He then picked out some of them that were more obstinate than the rest, and fit to be made examples, and smote them (that is, ordered them to be beaten by the proper officers according to the law, Deu 25:2, Deu 25:3), to which he added this further mark of infamy that he plucked off their hair, or cut or shaved it off; for it may so be understood. Perhaps they had prided themselves in their hair, and therefore he took it off to deform and humble them, and put them to shame; it was, in effect, to stigmatize them, at least for a time. Ezra, in this case, had plucked off his own hair, in holy sorrow for the sin; Nehemiah plucked off their hair, in a holy indignation at the sinners. See the different tempers of wise, and good, and useful men, and the divers graces, as well as divers gifts, of the same Spirit.
3.He obliged them not to take any more such wives, and separated those whom they had taken: He cleansed them from all strangers, both men and women (Neh 13:30), and made them promise with an oath that they would never do so again, Neh 13:25. Thus did he try all ways and means to put a stop to this mischief and to prevent another relapse into this disease.
4.He took particular care of the priests' families, that they might not lie under this stain, this guilt. He found, upon enquiry, that a branch of the high priest's own family, one of his grandsons, had married a daughter of Sanballat, that notorious enemy of the Jews (Neh 2:10; Neh 4:1), and so had, in effect, twisted interests with the Samaritans, Neh 13:28. How little love had that man either to God or his country who could make himself in duty and interest a friend to him that was a sworn enemy to both. It seems this young priest would not put away his wife, and therefore Nehemiah chased him from him, deprived him, degraded him, and made him for ever incapable of the priesthood. Josephus says that this expelled priest was Manasseh, and that when Nehemiah drove him away he went to his father-in-law Sanballat, who built him a temple upon Mount Gerazim, like that at Jerusalem, and promised him he should be high priest in it, and that then was laid the foundation of the Samaritans' pretensions, which continued warm to our Saviour's time. Joh 4:20, Our fathers worshipped in this mountain. When Nehemiah had thus expelled one that had forfeited the honour of the priesthood he again posted the priests and Levites every one in his business, Neh 13:30. It was no loss to them to part with one that was the scandal of their cloth; the work would be done better without him. When Judas had gone out Christ said, Now is the Son of Man glorified, Joh 13:30, Joh 13:31. Here are Nehemiah's prayers on this occasion. (1.) He prays, Remember them, O my God! Neh 13:29. "Lord, convince and convert them; put them in mind of what they should be and do, that they may come to themselves." Or, "Remember them to reckon with them for their sin; remember it against them." If we take it so, this prayer is a prophecy that God would remember it against them. Those that defile the priesthood despise God, and shall be lightly esteemed. Perhaps they were too many and too great for him to deal with. "Lord" (says he), "deal thou with them; take the work into thy own hands." (2.) He prays, Remember me, O my God! Neh 13:31. The best services done to the public have sometimes been forgotten by those for whom they were done (Ecc 9:15); therefore Nehemiah refers it to God to recompense him, takes him for his paymaster, and then doubts not but he shall be well paid. This may well be the summary of our petitions; we need no more to make us happy than this: Remember me, O my God! for good.
But in those days I also saw Jews who had married women of Ashdod, etc. And now in the holy Church they marry foreign wives, whoever tarnishes his conscience with the pleasures of crimes, which properly belong to the pagans. And the children born from these do not know how to speak Jewish, as the deeds which arose from a corrupted mind reveal nothing of pious profession; but rather sound like pagan folly than ecclesiastical chastity. For Ashdod, which is called Asdod in Hebrew, is interpreted as "word of fire." Therefore, according to the allegorical sense, the sons of foreign wives speak Ashdodite, when deeds begotten through wantonness expect the retribution of eternal combustion. Hence, rightfully, the parents of such are not only rebuked and cursed by Nehemiah, but some are also beaten; because it is necessary for the erring to be more severely restrained by teachers of the truth, so that they may learn to be happily transferred from the word of avenging fire to the word of divine praise. But also heretics, when they devote themselves more to the studies of gentile philosophy, dialectics, and rhetoric than to ecclesiastical simplicity, it is not surprising if their listeners speak according to the tongue of the people, and the people indeed speak, turning over the holy scriptures with their mouth, but interpreting these with erratic and pagan sense.
Therefore, I cleansed them from all foreigners, etc. An apt and fitting end in all respects for the edification of the holy city and the temple of the Lord, so that with the citizens cleansed of every stain of foreign and alien pollution from God, the orders of priests and Levites might rightly be preserved in their ministry; so that the institution of the master of the Church, royally established, may remain and grow in goodness, encouraging the people disciplined from all sin; for indeed this people, among other things, offers wood to the Lord to sustain the fire of the altar, as they perform works of virtues surely worthy of divine consecration. For if wood did not sometimes signify something good, the prophet would not say: "Then shall all the trees of the forest rejoice before the Lord" (Psalm 95). But wood burns and is consumed on the altar of holocausts, when works of justice in the hearts of teachers are perfected by the flame of charity. Rightly then does such a founder and dedicant of the city, after many labors of his devotion, commend himself to the memory of his Creator and the Giver of all good things. And You, supreme Father of lights, from whom every good gift and every perfect gift descends; who have bestowed upon me, most humble of your servants, both the love and the help to consider the wonders of your law; who in the treasury of the prophetic volume has granted me the grace not only to embrace the old things, but also to find new gifts by the uplifting of the old, and to bring them forth for the use of my fellow servants, remember me, my God, for good (James 1).
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SUMMARY
Nehemiah 13:30 encapsulates the culmination of Nehemiah's decisive reforms upon his second return to Jerusalem, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to restoring the spiritual purity and covenant faithfulness of the post-exilic community. Having found the people in significant spiritual decline, neglecting the temple, profaning the Sabbath, and engaging in forbidden intermarriage, Nehemiah took drastic measures to cleanse the nation from foreign influences and re-establish the divinely ordained order of temple service, ensuring that priests and Levites were properly organized and diligently performed their appointed duties.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse concludes the final chapter of the book of Nehemiah, which details the governor's return to Jerusalem after an absence in Persia. Upon his arrival, Nehemiah discovered a profound spiritual backsliding among the people, a stark contrast to the covenant renewal and vows made earlier in Nehemiah 9-10. Specifically, he found the temple neglected, the Levites unsupported and absent from their duties (Nehemiah 13:10), the Sabbath profaned (Nehemiah 13:15-22), and widespread intermarriage with foreign women (Nehemiah 13:23-27). Nehemiah 13:30 serves as a summary statement of his comprehensive and forceful actions to rectify these transgressions, underscoring the thoroughness of his reform efforts before the book's concluding prayer.
Historical & Cultural Context: The post-exilic period was a critical time for the returned exiles to re-establish their identity as God's covenant people in the land of Judah. The Mosaic Law, particularly passages like Deuteronomy 7:3-4, explicitly forbade intermarriage with foreign nations, primarily to prevent the adoption of idolatrous practices and the erosion of Israel's unique spiritual distinctiveness. The historical failures of Israel, often linked to such compromises, served as a potent warning. Nehemiah's actions were not merely social but deeply theological, aimed at preserving the purity of the covenant community and ensuring their fidelity to Yahweh. The "strangers" in this context primarily refer to the foreign wives and their children, whose presence threatened the spiritual and ethnic integrity of the Israelite community, echoing similar concerns raised by Ezra earlier (Ezra 9:1-2).
Key Themes: Nehemiah 13:30 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Nehemiah and the broader post-exilic narrative. The theme of Purity and Separation is paramount, as Nehemiah's zeal for cleansing the community from "strangers" highlights the ongoing struggle to maintain holiness and prevent spiritual defilement. This action underscores the importance of Israel's distinct identity as God's chosen people, set apart for His purposes. Furthermore, the verse emphasizes Order and Accountability within divine service, as Nehemiah meticulously "appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business," restoring the proper functioning of the temple worship which had fallen into disarray. This speaks to the necessity of diligent and organized service in God's house. Finally, the verse exemplifies Covenant Faithfulness and Zealous Leadership, showcasing Nehemiah as a resolute reformer who, even through harsh measures (Nehemiah 13:25), tirelessly called the people back to obedience to God's law and the vows they had previously made (Nehemiah 10:29-30).
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Cleansed (Hebrew, ṭâhêr', H2891): This primitive root signifies a process of becoming or making bright and, by implication, pure. It encompasses physical cleanliness, ritual purity (as in Levitical law, e.g., from uncleanness), and moral innocence or holiness. In Nehemiah's context, it denotes a thorough communal purging and purification from defiling elements, aiming to restore the community to a state of covenantal holiness and separation before God.
Strangers (Hebrew, nêkâr', H5236): Derived from a root meaning "to be foreign," this term refers to individuals or influences that are alien or foreign to the covenant community of Israel. While not always negative, in this specific context, "strangers" carries the strong connotation of foreign individuals (primarily wives and their children) and their associated pagan practices, which threatened the spiritual integrity and distinct identity of God's people, leading to idolatry and covenant violation.
Wards (Hebrew, mishmereth', H4931): This feminine noun refers to a "watch," "custody," "sentry," or "post." Figuratively, it denotes "observance," "duty," "office," or "ordinance." In the context of the priests and Levites, "wards" refers to the established divisions or courses of temple servants, each responsible for specific duties and turns of service. Nehemiah's action here signifies the meticulous re-establishment of these ordered duties and responsibilities, ensuring proper and diligent service in the temple.
Verse Breakdown
"Thus cleansed I them from all strangers": This clause reveals Nehemiah's direct, personal, and forceful intervention to purify the Israelite community. The "cleansing" involved the decisive removal of foreign wives and their children, a drastic but necessary measure in Nehemiah's view to eradicate the spiritual contamination and covenant infidelity that had permeated the nation during his absence. This act was a radical surgical strike aimed at preserving the unique identity and holiness of God's people.
"and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites": This part describes Nehemiah's re-establishment of the structured and organized system for temple service. The "wards" refer to the specific groups or divisions of priests and Levites, each assigned their turn and responsibilities in the sanctuary. This action directly addressed the neglect of the temple and the Levites' abandonment of their duties, ensuring that the sacred worship and sacrificial system could function properly once again according to Mosaic Law.
"every one in his business": This final phrase emphasizes the principle of individual responsibility and diligence within the restored order. It means that each priest and Levite was assigned a specific task or role, and Nehemiah ensured that they were all engaged in their respective duties. This promoted accountability, efficiency, and faithfulness in the service of God, preventing the disarray and neglect that had previously plagued the temple operations.
Literary Devices
Nehemiah 13:30 employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is Direct Action, conveyed through Nehemiah's first-person declaration, "Thus cleansed I them... and appointed..." This emphasizes his personal, decisive, and authoritative role as a zealous leader in confronting apostasy and restoring order. His actions are not merely reported but asserted directly by him, reinforcing his unwavering commitment. Furthermore, the concept of "cleansing" functions as Symbolism, representing not just physical separation but a spiritual purification of the community. The removal of "strangers" symbolizes the purging of spiritual impurities and covenant violations that threatened Israel's relationship with God. This symbolic cleansing extends to the restoration of the temple service, where order and proper function symbolize a return to spiritual health and adherence to divine mandates. The phrase "every one in his business" serves as a form of Metonymy, where "business" stands for the specific, divinely ordained duties and responsibilities, highlighting the importance of structured service and individual accountability within the communal worship of God.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah's actions in Nehemiah 13:30 resonate deeply with fundamental biblical principles concerning holiness, covenant fidelity, and the orderliness of God's people. His zealous pursuit of purity reflects God's own character as holy and His demand for separation from anything that defiles. The emphasis on cleansing from "strangers" underscores the Old Testament's recurring theme of Israel's unique status as a chosen nation, set apart to bear witness to Yahweh, which necessitated strict adherence to His laws, including those preventing assimilation through intermarriage. Furthermore, the meticulous re-establishment of the priestly and Levitical "wards" speaks to God's desire for order and diligence in worship and service within His house. This divine order is not merely for efficiency but for the glory of God, ensuring that worship is conducted with reverence and according to His prescribed ways. Nehemiah's uncompromising leadership serves as a powerful example of what it means to uphold God's truth even when it requires difficult and unpopular measures, demonstrating a profound commitment to God's covenant and the spiritual well-being of His people.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Nehemiah 13:30 offers profound lessons for believers today, emphasizing the ongoing need for spiritual purity, order in corporate worship, and individual diligence in service. Just as Nehemiah cleansed the community from defiling influences, we are called to identify and remove "strangers" in our own lives – anything that compromises our devotion to Christ, whether ungodly habits, relationships, or ideologies. This requires courageous self-examination and a willingness to make difficult choices for the sake of holiness. The re-establishment of "wards" and "every one in his business" reminds us that God is a God of order, and our service within the body of Christ should be characterized by diligence, accountability, and the faithful stewardship of our gifts. Every believer has a unique role, and the effective functioning of the church depends on each member fulfilling their specific "business" with integrity and commitment. Finally, Nehemiah's uncompromising leadership challenges us to stand firm for biblical truth, even when it is unpopular, and to prioritize God's glory and the spiritual health of His people above all else.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was Nehemiah so harsh in his reforms, particularly regarding intermarriage?
Answer: Nehemiah's actions, though seemingly harsh by modern standards, were rooted in a deep commitment to the Mosaic Law and the preservation of Israel's covenant identity. The prohibition against intermarriage with foreign nations, as found in passages like Deuteronomy 7:3-4, was not primarily about racial purity but about preventing spiritual apostasy. Throughout their history, Israel had repeatedly fallen into idolatry and moral corruption through alliances and intermarriage with pagan peoples. Nehemiah understood that the spiritual integrity of the returned exiles, who had just renewed their covenant with God (Nehemiah 9-10), depended on strict adherence to God's commands. His zeal was born out of a desire to protect the community from the very sins that had led to their exile in the first place, ensuring their distinctiveness as God's holy people.
What does "appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites" mean for the organization of worship?
Answer: "Appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites" refers to Nehemiah's re-establishment of the structured system for temple service, which had fallen into disarray. The "wards" (or "courses") were the specific divisions of priests and Levites, each assigned particular duties and turns of service in the temple. This system ensured that the temple functions—such as offering sacrifices, maintaining the sanctuary, teaching the law, and leading worship—were carried out continuously and systematically. During Nehemiah's absence, the Levites had not been supported and had abandoned their duties (Nehemiah 13:10), leading to a breakdown in worship. Nehemiah's action restored the divinely ordained order, ensuring that "every one in his business" diligently performed their assigned roles, thereby revitalizing the proper worship of God in Jerusalem.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Nehemiah's zealous cleansing and reordering of the post-exilic community in Nehemiah 13:30 powerfully foreshadows the ultimate work of Christ. While Nehemiah's cleansing involved physical separation and external reforms, Jesus Christ performs a far deeper, internal, and spiritual cleansing. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, whose blood purifies us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:7) and cleanses our consciences from dead works to serve the living God (Hebrews 9:14). The "strangers" from whom Nehemiah cleansed Israel, representing defiling influences, find their ultimate resolution in Christ, who breaks down the dividing wall of hostility between Jew and Gentile (Ephesians 2:14-16), making all who believe one new humanity in Him. Furthermore, Nehemiah's meticulous re-establishment of order among the priests and Levites, ensuring "every one in his business," points to Christ as the head of the church, who establishes order and gifts His people for service. Through the Holy Spirit, Christ empowers believers, a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9), to faithfully carry out their spiritual "business" within the body, building up the church for the glory of God (Ephesians 4:11-13). Thus, Nehemiah's actions, though limited to his time, anticipate the comprehensive and transforming work of Christ, who truly purifies His people and establishes His church in perfect order for eternal worship.