TRV
Study This Verse
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.
Continue studying Nehemiah 13:31 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Nehemiah 13:31 serves as the poignant and deeply personal conclusion to the book of Nehemiah, encapsulating the leader's unwavering commitment to the spiritual and administrative integrity of post-exilic Jerusalem. This final verse highlights his diligent efforts in ensuring the proper provision for temple worship, specifically the "wood offering" and "firstfruits," which were vital for sustaining the sacrificial system and supporting the Levites and priests. The verse culminates in Nehemiah's humble yet confident plea to God, "Remember me, O my God, for good," revealing his ultimate desire for divine approval and favorable remembrance for his arduous, faithful service in the Lord's work.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Nehemiah 13:31 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound and deeply personal message. The most prominent is Supplication, as the verse culminates in a direct, earnest, and deeply personal prayer from Nehemiah to God. This intimate appeal serves as a powerful and fitting concluding statement for the entire book, shifting the focus from the grand narrative of national restoration to the heartfelt plea of a single, dedicated servant. The use of Juxtaposition is also striking, as the practical, administrative details concerning the "wood offering" and "firstfruits" are immediately followed by a profoundly spiritual and personal request for divine remembrance. This stark contrast effectively highlights Nehemiah's holistic concern: both for the meticulous, tangible functioning of the temple and for his own eternal standing before God. Furthermore, the verse functions as an Inclusio or bookend, echoing Nehemiah's earlier, similar prayers for remembrance found in Nehemiah 13:14 and Nehemiah 13:22. This recurring motif powerfully emphasizes the consistency of Nehemiah's character, his unwavering focus on divine approval as the ultimate reward, and the persistent nature of his faithful appeals to God.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 13:31 powerfully articulates the profound theological principle that faithful service to God, undertaken with diligence, integrity, and a pure heart, is indeed seen, valued, and remembered by the Almighty. Nehemiah's concluding plea is not a presumptuous demand but a humble yet confident appeal to God's inherent justice and unwavering covenant faithfulness, trusting implicitly that God will acknowledge and ultimately reward those who labor tirelessly for His kingdom. It underscores the vital biblical truth that while human recognition may be fleeting, fickle, or entirely absent, God's remembrance is eternal, perfectly just, and always "for good." This verse also reinforces the enduring importance of practical and financial support for spiritual ministries, recognizing that the tangible provisions for worship (such as wood for the altar and firstfruits for the Levites) are not peripheral but integral to the spiritual health and vitality of the entire community. It serves as a timeless challenge to believers across generations to consider their own contributions to the work of God, understanding that such efforts, no matter how seemingly small or unnoticed, are never in vain but are treasured and recorded in God's sight.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Nehemiah 13:31 offers a profound and deeply personal lesson for every believer: our ultimate reward, validation, and true satisfaction come not from human praise, earthly accolades, or temporal success, but from God's favorable remembrance and divine approval. Nehemiah, a man who dedicated his entire life to arduous and often thankless service—rebuilding physical walls, reforming spiritual hearts, and restoring covenant faithfulness—concludes his extraordinary story not with a boast of his accomplishments, but with a humble, earnest prayer. This challenges us profoundly to examine our own motivations for service within God's kingdom. Are we primarily seeking recognition from others, or are we fundamentally focused on pleasing God and trusting in His divine justice and perfect timing? Like Nehemiah, we are often called to diligent, persistent, and sometimes unappreciated work in God's kingdom, whether in grand public roles or in quiet, unseen acts of faithfulness within our homes and communities. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that every act of obedience, every sacrifice made, and every effort expended for God's glory is meticulously seen, cherished, and recorded in heaven. We can confidently commit our lives, our labors, and our deepest desires to Him, knowing with absolute certainty that He is a God who remembers "for good" and will ultimately bring about a beneficial and eternal outcome for those who serve Him with integrity and devotion.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of Nehemiah's repeated prayer, "Remember me, O my God, for good"?
Answer: Nehemiah's repeated prayer, "Remember me, O my God, for good," (found also in Nehemiah 13:14 and Nehemiah 13:22) is profoundly significant. It reveals his deep humility, his unwavering faith, and his ultimate desire for divine approval rather than fleeting human accolades. In biblical thought, for God to "remember" means far more than simply recalling facts or past events; it implies active, favorable intervention, a purposeful acknowledgment, and a commitment to act on behalf of the one remembered. Nehemiah is not merely asking God to recall his deeds, but to respond to them with blessing, reward, and divine favor. This recurring plea underscores his unwavering conviction that God is a righteous and just judge who sees, values, and rewards faithful service, and that His remembrance is truly "for good," bringing about beneficial and eternal outcomes for His devoted servants. This prayer serves as a powerful testament to Nehemiah's integrity, his profound trust in God's character, and his ultimate focus on an eternal recompense.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Nehemiah's earnest plea for divine remembrance highlights the heartfelt desire of a faithful servant under the Old Covenant, its ultimate fulfillment and deeper theological meaning are found definitively in Jesus Christ. Nehemiah, like all Old Testament figures, served God imperfectly, needing God's grace and favorable remembrance for his flawed yet sincere efforts. Jesus, however, stands as the perfectly obedient Servant, the only One who lived a life utterly without blemish or sin. He needed no "remembrance for good" for Himself, as His life was flawlessly righteous and His atoning sacrifice on the cross was complete and fully sufficient. Instead, through His perfect life, substitutionary death, and glorious resurrection, Jesus secured "good" for all who place their faith in Him. He is the ultimate "firstfruits" of resurrection, guaranteeing our future resurrection and eternal life in His presence (1 Corinthians 15:20-23). Our service, unlike Nehemiah's, is therefore not aimed at earning God's remembrance or favor, but flows from the secure and joyful knowledge that we are already remembered "for good" in Christ. God "remembers" us favorably not because of our imperfect works or merits, but solely because of the perfect work of His Son, Jesus, who bore our sins and secured our righteousness before a holy God (2 Corinthians 5:21). Thus, Nehemiah's prayer finds its most profound and glorious answer in the gospel: God remembers His covenant people for good, not based on their own fluctuating merit, but solely on the perfect and enduring merit of Christ, ensuring that our labor in the Lord is never in vain and will ultimately culminate in eternal glory (1 Corinthians 15:58).