Nehemiah 13:4

And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, [was] allied unto Tobiah:

And before {H6440} this, Eliashib {H475} the priest {H3548}, having the oversight {H5414} of the chamber {H3957} of the house {H1004} of our God {H430}, was allied {H7138} unto Tobiah {H2900}:

Also, prior to this, Elyashiv the cohen, who had been put in charge of the storage rooms in the house of our God, and who was related by marriage to Toviyah,

Now before this, Eliashib the priest, a relative of Tobiah, had been put in charge of the storerooms of the house of our God

Now before this, Eliashib the priest, who was appointed over the chambers of the house of our God, being allied unto Tobiah,

Commentary

Context

Nehemiah 13:4 marks a critical point in the narrative, revealing the rapid spiritual decline that occurred in Jerusalem during Nehemiah's temporary absence. After completing the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls and instituting significant religious and social reforms (as detailed in earlier chapters, e.g., Nehemiah 8 and Nehemiah 9), Nehemiah had returned to Persia, his original post, as required by King Artaxerxes. During this period, the High Priest Eliashib, who had been entrusted with the oversight of the temple's sacred chambers, shockingly formed an alliance with Tobiah the Ammonite. Tobiah was a known adversary of Nehemiah and the Jewish people, whose persistent opposition to the rebuilding efforts is vividly described in passages like Nehemiah 4:3 and Nehemiah 6:1.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Compromise of Leadership: The verse highlights the profound failure of Eliashib, the High Priest, to uphold his sacred duty. His alliance with Tobiah represented a direct contravention of God's law concerning Ammonites (Deuteronomy 23:3) and a betrayal of the spiritual reforms Nehemiah had painstakingly established. This illustrates the devastating impact of compromised leadership on a community's spiritual health.
  • Desecration of Sacred Space: The "chamber of the house of our God" refers to the temple storerooms, which were designated for the sacred purpose of storing tithes, offerings, and vessels for priestly use, reflecting the sanctity of God's provisions. Allowing an ungodly adversary like Tobiah to occupy such a space was an act of profound desecration and showed a blatant disregard for the holiness of God's temple.
  • Dangers of Ungodly Alliances: Eliashib's "alliance" with Tobiah serves as a stark warning against being unequally yoked or forming close bonds with those who actively oppose God's will and His people. Such alliances inevitably lead to moral and spiritual corruption.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "allied unto Tobiah" (KJV) implies a close, cooperative, and perhaps even familial relationship. While the specific Hebrew word used here doesn't directly translate to "son-in-law," the broader context of Nehemiah 13 (particularly Nehemiah 13:28, where Eliashib's grandson marries the daughter of Sanballat, another prominent enemy) suggests that these alliances were often cemented through intermarriage, creating complex and problematic loyalties that undermined the purity of the Israelite community.

Practical Application

Nehemiah 13:4 offers timeless lessons for believers today. It underscores the vital importance of maintaining spiritual integrity, particularly for those in positions of leadership or influence. We are called to guard the "chambers" of our hearts and lives—our spiritual spaces—from influences that compromise our faith and devotion to God. This verse reminds us to be discerning about our associations and alliances, ensuring they align with God's purposes rather than leading us into spiritual compromise. It also highlights the need for constant vigilance against spiritual decline, even after periods of revival or reform, and the critical role of strong, uncompromising spiritual leadership.

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Cross-References

  • Nehemiah 12:44 (6 votes)

    ¶ 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.

  • Nehemiah 2:10 (4 votes)

    When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard [of it], it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.

  • Nehemiah 6:17 (4 votes)

    Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters unto Tobiah, and [the letters] of Tobiah came unto them.

  • Nehemiah 6:18 (4 votes)

    For [there were] many in Judah sworn unto him, because he [was] the son in law of Shechaniah the son of Arah; and his son Johanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah.

  • Nehemiah 13:28 (4 votes)

    And [one] of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, [was] son in law to Sanballat the Horonite: therefore I chased him from me.

  • Nehemiah 12:10 (3 votes)

    And Jeshua begat Joiakim, Joiakim also begat Eliashib, and Eliashib begat Joiada,