Nehemiah 13:5

KJV

And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which was commanded [to be given] to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he had prepared {H6213} for him a great {H1419} chamber {H3957}, where aforetime {H6440} they laid {H5414} the meat offerings {H4503}, the frankincense {H3828}, and the vessels {H3627}, and the tithes {H4643} of the corn {H1715}, the new wine {H8492}, and the oil {H3323}, which was commanded {H4687} to be given to the Levites {H3881}, and the singers {H7891}, and the porters {H7778}; and the offerings {H8641} of the priests {H3548}.

Complete Jewish Bible

had prepared for him a large room where formerly they had stored the grain offerings, frankincense, equipment and the tenths of grain, wine and olive oil ordered to be given to the L'vi'im, singers and gatekeepers, and the contributions for the cohanim.

Berean Standard Bible

and had prepared for Tobiah a large room where they had previously stored the grain offerings, the frankincense, the temple articles, and the tithes of grain, new wine, and oil prescribed for the Levites, singers, and gatekeepers, along with the contributions for the priests.

American Standard Version

had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meal-offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the grain, the new wine, and the oil, which were given by commandment to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the heave-offerings for the priests.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 13:5 exposes a profound act of spiritual compromise and desecration within the post-exilic Jerusalem temple. During Nehemiah's absence, Eliashib, the high priest, had allocated a large chamber—originally designated for the storage of sacred offerings and the vital tithes intended for the sustenance of the Levites and temple workers—to Tobiah the Ammonite, a known adversary of Israel. This egregious misuse of sacred space and resources highlights a severe breakdown in leadership integrity and adherence to God's commands, directly undermining the functioning of temple worship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse marks the beginning of Nehemiah's account of his second return to Jerusalem, detailed in [Nehemiah 13](/nehemiah/13 "Nehemiah 13 - Nehemiah's Reforms"). After twelve years away, Nehemiah discovers a widespread spiritual decline and administrative corruption among the people, directly contradicting the covenants and reforms established during his first tenure (cf. [Nehemiah 9-10](/nehemiah/9 "Nehemiah 9-10 - Confession and Covenant Renewal")). The shocking revelation of Tobiah's occupation of a temple chamber is the *first* specific transgression Nehemiah addresses, setting the stage for his subsequent zealous reforms concerning tithes, Sabbath observance, and intermarriage. It immediately follows a period of significant spiritual renewal and covenant commitment, making the backsliding even more stark.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events unfold in post-exilic Jerusalem, under Persian suzerainty. The Temple, recently rebuilt and rededicated, was the spiritual and communal heart of the returning Jewish remnant. The system of tithes and offerings, mandated in the Mosaic Law (e.g., [Numbers 18:21-24](/numbers/18-21 "Numbers 18:21-24 - The Levites' Portion")), was crucial for the financial support of the Levites, singers, porters, and priests, enabling them to devote themselves fully to their sacred duties without needing to engage in secular labor. Eliashib, as the high priest, held the highest spiritual office and was responsible for maintaining the sanctity of the Temple and upholding God's laws. Tobiah the Ammonite, on the other hand, was a persistent adversary of Nehemiah and the Jewish people's efforts to rebuild Jerusalem, often employing mockery, conspiracy, and intimidation (cf. [Nehemiah 2:10](/nehemiah/2-10 "Nehemiah 2:10 - Tobiah's Displeasure") and [Nehemiah 4:7-8](/nehemiah/4-7 "Nehemiah 4:7-8 - Tobiah's Conspiracy")). His familial connection to Eliashib through marriage (Nehemiah 13:4) facilitated this egregious breach of protocol.
* **Key Themes:** Nehemiah 13:5 powerfully illustrates several critical themes. Firstly, it underscores the **desecration of sacred space and resources**. The chamber was not merely a storeroom but a holy space within the temple precincts, dedicated to the Lord's provisions for His ministers. Allowing an uncircumcised Ammonite, an avowed enemy of Israel, to reside there was a profound insult to God and a defilement of His house. Secondly, it highlights **corruption in leadership**. High Priest Eliashib's actions demonstrate a severe lapse in spiritual integrity and a prioritization of personal alliances over divine duty. His compromise with Tobiah directly undermined the sanctity of the temple and the proper functioning of its services, revealing the dangers of spiritual leaders succumbing to worldly pressures. Finally, the verse points to the **neglect of temple support and its consequences**. By diverting the tithes and offerings from their intended purpose, Eliashib effectively disrupted the divinely ordained system of support for the Levites and temple workers. This neglect would inevitably lead to their abandonment of temple duties to seek livelihoods elsewhere, as Nehemiah later discovers in [Nehemiah 13:10](/nehemiah/13-10 "Nehemiah 13:10 - Neglect of the Levites").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Chamber (Hebrew, _lishkah'_):** This term refers to a specific, often dedicated room or cell within the temple complex. It implies a space with a designated function, distinct from a common storage area. In this context, its use for sacred provisions underscores its inherent holiness and the gravity of its desecration. The "great chamber" suggests a significant space, amplifying the scale of Eliashib's transgression.
* **Tithes (Hebrew, _ma'aser'_):** Derived from the root meaning "tenth," _ma'aser_ refers to the divinely commanded tenth part of agricultural produce, livestock, and other income that the Israelites were required to give. This system, detailed in various Mosaic laws (e.g., [Leviticus 27:30](/leviticus/27-30 "Leviticus 27:30 - The Lord's Tithe") and [Deuteronomy 14:22](/deuteronomy/14-22 "Deuteronomy 14:22 - Tithing Instructions")), was the primary means of support for the Levites and priests, ensuring they could dedicate themselves fully to their sacred service without needing to farm or engage in other trades. The diversion of these tithes was not merely a financial impropriety but a direct violation of God's established order for the upkeep of His house and ministry, leading to the neglect of the temple and its personnel.
* **Prepared (Hebrew, _'asah'_):** The verb "prepared" indicates a deliberate and active arrangement by Eliashib. It suggests intentionality and forethought, not an accidental or passive occurrence. Eliashib did not merely allow Tobiah to occupy the space; he actively "made" or "prepared" it for him, underscoring his complicity and the premeditated nature of this sacrilege.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he had prepared for him a great chamber":** This clause immediately identifies the perpetrator, "he" (Eliashib, the high priest), and his deliberate action. The "great chamber" emphasizes the scale of the space and, by extension, the magnitude of the resources it was meant to hold, making its misappropriation all the more severe.
* **"where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels":** This specifies the original, sacred purpose of the chamber. "Meat offerings" (more accurately, grain offerings), "frankincense," and "vessels" were integral components of temple worship, representing the people's devotion and the instruments of sacred service. Their storage in this chamber highlights its consecrated nature.
* **"and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil":** This details the most critical contents of the chamber—the agricultural tithes. These provisions were the lifeblood of the temple's daily operations and the sustenance for its dedicated staff. Their mention underscores the economic and spiritual disruption caused by their removal.
* **"which was commanded [to be given] to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests":** This final clause explicitly states the divine mandate behind these provisions and identifies their intended beneficiaries. It emphasizes that the diversion was not merely a logistical error but a direct violation of God's command, depriving those who served Him of their rightful support and jeopardizing the continuity of temple ministry.

#### Literary Devices
Nehemiah 13:5 employs several literary devices to underscore the gravity of Eliashib's actions. **Juxtaposition** is prominent, contrasting the chamber's sacred, divinely ordained purpose—storing offerings and tithes for temple service—with its profane, illicit use by Tobiah, an enemy of God's people. This stark contrast highlights the extent of the desecration. There is also a powerful sense of **irony**, as the High Priest, the very guardian of the Temple's sanctity and the integrity of its worship, is the one who facilitates its defilement. This subversion of his sacred role is central to the verse's impact. Furthermore, the "chamber" itself functions as a **metonymy** or **synecdoche**, representing not just a physical space but the broader sanctity of the Temple, the integrity of its operations, and the faithfulness of its leadership. Its violation signifies a deeper spiritual decay. Finally, the incident serves as a **foreshadowing** of the wider spiritual and administrative breakdown Nehemiah will discover and address, including the neglect of the Levites and the abandonment of temple duties due to lack of support (Nehemiah 13:10).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 13:5 serves as a stark reminder of the enduring theological principles concerning the sanctity of God's house, the integrity of spiritual leadership, and the importance of faithful stewardship. The high priest's actions demonstrate a profound disrespect for the divine order and a dangerous compromise with ungodliness. This incident underscores that the purity of worship and the effectiveness of ministry are directly tied to the faithfulness and integrity of those entrusted with leadership and the proper management of God's resources. When sacred spaces are profaned and divinely ordained provisions are diverted, it not only impacts the physical operations of the temple but also reflects a deeper spiritual malaise, indicating a departure from covenant faithfulness. The verse calls believers to vigilance against compromise and to uphold the holiness of God's work and His people.

* [Numbers 18:21](/numbers/18-21 "Numbers 18:21 - The Levites' Inheritance")
* [Malachi 3:8-10](/malachi/3-8 "Malachi 3:8-10 - Robbing God of Tithes")
* [Matthew 21:12-13](/matthew/21-12 "Matthew 21:12-13 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Nehemiah 13:5 provides timeless lessons for believers today, emphasizing the critical importance of maintaining spiritual integrity and protecting what is sacred. Just as the physical temple chamber was a holy space, so too are our churches, our personal lives, and the resources entrusted to us meant to be set apart for God's purposes. This verse challenges us to examine whether we, individually and corporately, are allowing "Tobiahs"—compromise, worldly influences, or personal agendas—to occupy spaces or resources meant for God's glory and the support of His work. It calls leaders to a higher standard of accountability, reminding them that their personal alliances and decisions can have profound ripple effects on the spiritual health and operational effectiveness of the community they serve. Faithful stewardship of resources, whether time, talent, or treasure, is not merely an administrative task but a spiritual discipline that directly impacts the flourishing of God's kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or our church community might "Tobiahs" (compromise, ungodly influences, personal gain) be occupying "chambers" meant for God's sacred purposes?**
* **How does this passage challenge my understanding of integrity, especially for those in leadership positions within the church or other spheres of influence?**
* **Am I faithfully stewarding the resources (time, talents, finances) God has entrusted to me for the support of His work and His people, or am I diverting them for other purposes?**
* **What steps can I take to cultivate a greater reverence for what is holy and to actively resist spiritual compromise in my daily walk?**

### FAQ
**Who was Tobiah and why was his presence in the temple so offensive?**

Answer: Tobiah was an Ammonite official and a long-standing adversary of Nehemiah and the Jewish people's efforts to rebuild Jerusalem. His presence in a sacred temple chamber was deeply offensive for several reasons. First, Ammonites were explicitly excluded from the assembly of the Lord by Mosaic Law ([Deuteronomy 23:3-6](/deuteronomy/23-3 "Deuteronomy 23:3-6 - Exclusion of Ammonites and Moabites")), making his residence in the temple a direct violation of divine command. Second, he was an enemy of God's people, actively opposing their spiritual and physical restoration. Allowing him to occupy a space meant for holy offerings was a profound act of desecration, symbolizing the infiltration of ungodliness into the very heart of Jewish worship.

**What was the significance of the "tithes" and why was their removal problematic?**

Answer: The "tithes" (a tenth of agricultural produce, new wine, and oil) were a divinely commanded provision for the Levites, singers, porters, and priests who served in the temple. This system ensured that those dedicated to temple ministry could focus entirely on their sacred duties without needing to engage in farming or other trades for sustenance. Their removal or diversion, as happened in Nehemiah 13:5, was problematic because it directly violated God's established order for the upkeep of His house and ministry. As Nehemiah later discovers in [Nehemiah 13:10](/nehemiah/13-10 "Nehemiah 13:10 - Neglect of the Levites"), this neglect led to the Levites abandoning their temple service to seek livelihoods elsewhere, causing the temple worship to falter.

**What does this incident reveal about Eliashib's character?**

Answer: The incident reveals a severe compromise of Eliashib's character and his failure as high priest. As the chief spiritual leader, he was entrusted with protecting the sanctity of the temple and upholding God's laws. However, his personal alliance with Tobiah (likely through a marriage connection, as mentioned in Nehemiah 13:4) superseded his sacred duties. His act of "preparing" the chamber for Tobiah demonstrates a deliberate and profound lack of spiritual integrity, prioritizing worldly relationships and personal convenience over his divine calling and the purity of God's house. It indicates a spiritual blindness and a willingness to profane sacred space for personal or political gain.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Nehemiah's zealous action in cleansing the temple chamber of Tobiah's defiling presence and restoring it to its sacred purpose foreshadows the ultimate cleansing and purification brought by Jesus Christ. While Nehemiah dealt with external corruption and the misuse of physical space, Christ's work addresses the deeper defilement of the human heart and the spiritual temple. Jesus, as the true and perfect High Priest (as seen in [Hebrews 4:14-16](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14-16 - Jesus Our High Priest")), perfectly upholds the sanctity of God's dwelling place. His passionate cleansing of the temple in Jerusalem (recorded in [John 2:13-17](/john/2-13 "John 2:13-17 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple")), where He drove out those who profaned God's house, echoes Nehemiah's zeal but with divine authority. More profoundly, Christ's ultimate sacrifice on the cross serves as the perfect "offering" that cleanses humanity from sin, making us a holy temple for the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19-20](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Our Bodies are Temples of the Holy Spirit")). Through His atoning work, the "tithes" and "offerings" of our lives—our worship, service, and very being—are made acceptable to God, not through physical provisions, but by His grace. He ensures that God's people, the Church, become the true spiritual house, built on Him as the cornerstone, where God's presence dwells and His purposes are perfectly fulfilled ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Built on the Apostles and Prophets")).

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

2 Chronicles 34:11

Even to the artificers and builders gave they [it], to buy hewn stone, and timber for couplings, and to floor the houses which the kings of Judah had destroyed.

Nehemiah 12:44

¶ And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited.

Numbers 18:21

And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, [even] the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Numbers 18:24

But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer [as] an heave offering unto the LORD, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.

Nehemiah 10:38

And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house.