Nehemiah 13:5
Nehemiah 13:5 in Multiple Translations
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.
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.
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.
Had made ready for him a great room, where at one time they kept the meal offerings, the perfume, and the vessels and the tenths of the grain and wine and oil which were given by order to the Levites and the music-makers and the door-keepers, and the lifted offerings for the priests.
He had provided Tobiah with a large room which had previously been used to store the grain offerings, incense, and Temple items, as well as the tithes of grain, new wine, and olive oil allocated to the Levites, singers, and gatekeepers, in addition to the offerings for the priests.
And he had made him a great chamber and there had they aforetime layde the offringes, the incense, and the vessels, and the tithes of corne, of wine, and of oyle (appointed for the Leuites, and the singers, and the porters) and the offringes of the Priests.
and he maketh for him a great chamber, and there they were formerly putting the present, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithe of the corn, the new wine, and the oil — the commanded thing of the Levites, and the singers, and the gatekeepers — and the heave-offering of the priests.
had prepared for him a great room, where before they laid the meal offerings, the frankincense, the vessels, and the tithes of the grain, the new wine, and the oil, which were given by commandment to the Levites, the singers, and the gatekeepers; and the wave offerings for the priests.
And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where formerly 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.
And he made him a great storeroom, where before him they laid up gifts, and frankincense, and vessels, and the tithes of the corn, of the wine, and of the oil, the portions of the Levites, and of the singing men, and of the porters, and the firstfruits of the priests.
He allowed Tobiah to use a large room in which they had previously stored the grain offerings and the incense, the equipment that is used in the temple, the offerings that the people had brought for the priests, and the tithes of grain and wine and olive oil that God had commanded the people to bring to the other descendants of Levi, and to the temple musicians, and to the temple guards.
Berean Amplified Bible — Nehemiah 13:5
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Nehemiah 13:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יַּ֨עַשׂ
ל֜/וֹ
לִשְׁכָּ֣ה
גְדוֹלָ֗ה
וְ/שָׁ֣ם
הָי֪וּ
לְ/פָנִ֟ים
נֹ֠תְנִים
אֶת
הַ/מִּנְחָ֨ה
הַ/לְּבוֹנָ֜ה
וְ/הַ/כֵּלִ֗ים
וּ/מַעְשַׂ֤ר
הַ/דָּגָן֙
הַ/תִּיר֣וֹשׁ
וְ/הַ/יִּצְהָ֔ר
מִצְוַת֙
הַ/לְוִיִּ֔ם
וְ/הַ/מְשֹׁרְרִ֖ים
וְ/הַ/שֹּׁעֲרִ֑ים
וּ/תְרוּמַ֖ת
הַ/כֹּהֲנִֽים
וַ/יַּ֨עַשׂ
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
ל֜/וֹ
Prep | Suff
לִשְׁכָּ֣ה
lishkâh
H3957
chamber
N-fs
גְדוֹלָ֗ה
gâdôwl
H1419
Great (Sea)
Adj
וְ/שָׁ֣ם
shâm
H8033
there
Conj | Adv
הָי֪וּ
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
לְ/פָנִ֟ים
pânîym
H6440
face
Prep | N-cp
נֹ֠תְנִים
nâthan
H5414
to give
V-Qal
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
הַ/מִּנְחָ֨ה
minchâh
H4503
offering
Art | N-fs
הַ/לְּבוֹנָ֜ה
lᵉbôwnâh
H3828
frankincense
Art | N-fs
וְ/הַ/כֵּלִ֗ים
kᵉlîy
H3627
article/utensil
Conj | Art | N-mp
וּ/מַעְשַׂ֤ר
maʻăsêr
H4643
tithe
Conj | N-ms
הַ/דָּגָן֙
dâgân
H1715
grain
Art | N-ms
הַ/תִּיר֣וֹשׁ
tîyrôwsh
H8492
new wine
Art | N-ms
וְ/הַ/יִּצְהָ֔ר
yitshâr
H3323
oil
Conj | Art | N-ms
מִצְוַת֙
mitsvâh
H4687
commandment
N-fs
הַ/לְוִיִּ֔ם
Lêvîyîy
H3881
Levi
Art | Ngmpa
וְ/הַ/מְשֹׁרְרִ֖ים
shîyr
H7891
to sing
Conj | Art | V-o
וְ/הַ/שֹּׁעֲרִ֑ים
shôwʻêr
H7778
gatekeeper
Conj | Art | N-mp
וּ/תְרוּמַ֖ת
tᵉrûwmâh
H8641
contribution
Conj | N-fs
הַ/כֹּהֲנִֽים
kôhên
H3548
priest
Art | N-mp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Nehemiah 13:5
וַ/יַּ֨עַשׂ
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
ל֜/וֹ
""
Prep | Suff
לִשְׁכָּ֣ה
lishkâh
H3957
"chamber"
N-fs
A room or chamber in a building, like a storage room or a bedroom. This word is used in 1 Kings 20:30 to describe a room in the king's palace.
Definition: room, chamber, hall, cell
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: chamber, parlour. Compare H5393 (נִשְׁכָּה). See also: 1 Samuel 9:22; Jeremiah 36:20; Jeremiah 35:2.
גְדוֹלָ֗ה
gâdôwl
H1419
"Great (Sea)"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means something or someone great, whether in size, age, or importance. It appears in descriptions of the Great Sea and the Philistines. The word is used to convey a sense of magnitude or grandeur.
Definition: adj great Also named: pe.lish.ti (פְּלִשְׁתִּי "(Sea of the )Philistines" H6430I)
Usage: Occurs in 499 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, elder(-est), [phrase] exceeding(-ly), [phrase] far, (man of) great (man, matter, thing,-er,-ness), high, long, loud, mighty, more, much, noble, proud thing, [idiom] sore, ([idiom]) very. See also: Genesis 1:16; Joshua 7:26; 1 Kings 20:13.
וְ/שָׁ֣ם
shâm
H8033
"there"
Conj | Adv
The Hebrew word sham means there or then, often used to describe a location or point in time. It can also mean thither or thence, indicating movement or direction. This word is used frequently in the Bible to provide context and clarify the setting of a story.
Definition: 1) there, thither 1a) there 1b) thither (after verbs of motion) 1c) from there, thence 1d) then (as an adverb of time) Aramaic equivalent: tam.mah (תַּמָּה "there" H8536)
Usage: Occurs in 732 OT verses. KJV: in it, [phrase] thence, there (-in, [phrase] of, [phrase] out), [phrase] thither, [phrase] whither. See also: Genesis 2:8; Exodus 21:33; Deuteronomy 19:4.
הָי֪וּ
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
לְ/פָנִ֟ים
pânîym
H6440
"face"
Prep | N-cp
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
נֹ֠תְנִים
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
V-Qal
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הַ/מִּנְחָ֨ה
minchâh
H4503
"offering"
Art | N-fs
The Hebrew word for offering refers to a gift or donation, often given to God as a sacrifice. In Leviticus 2:1, it describes a grain offering. It can also mean tribute or present.
Definition: : offering/sacrifice 1) gift, tribute, offering, present, oblation, sacrifice, meat offering 1a) gift, present 1b) tribute 1c) offering (to God) 1d) grain offering
Usage: Occurs in 194 OT verses. KJV: gift, oblation, (meat) offering, present, sacrifice. See also: Genesis 4:3; Numbers 29:28; Psalms 20:4.
הַ/לְּבוֹנָ֜ה
lᵉbôwnâh
H3828
"frankincense"
Art | N-fs
Frankincense is a white resin used for incense, often burned in ceremonies and rituals. It was used in the holy incense, as seen in Exodus 30. The KJV translates it as frankincense.
Definition: 1) frankincense 1a) a white resin burned as fragrant incense 1a1) ceremonially 1a2) personally 1a3) used in compounding the holy incense
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: (frank-) incense. See also: Exodus 30:34; Nehemiah 13:5; Isaiah 43:23.
וְ/הַ/כֵּלִ֗ים
kᵉlîy
H3627
"article/utensil"
Conj | Art | N-mp
This Hebrew word refers to any object or tool, like a utensil or a piece of furniture. It is used to describe a wide range of items, from musical instruments to weapons. It emphasizes the object's purpose or function.
Definition: 1) article, vessel, implement, utensil 1a) article, object (general) 1b) utensil, implement, apparatus, vessel 1b1) implement (of hunting or war) 1b2) implement (of music) 1b3) implement, tool (of labour) 1b4) equipment, yoke (of oxen) 1b5) utensils, furniture 1c) vessel, receptacle (general) 1d) vessels (boats) of paper-reed
Usage: Occurs in 276 OT verses. KJV: armour(-bearer), artillery, bag, carriage, [phrase] furnish, furniture, instrument, jewel, that is made of, [idiom] one from another, that which pertaineth, pot, [phrase] psaltery, sack, stuff, thing, tool, vessel, ware, weapon, [phrase] whatsoever. See also: Genesis 24:53; 1 Samuel 14:13; Ezra 8:26.
וּ/מַעְשַׂ֤ר
maʻăsêr
H4643
"tithe"
Conj | N-ms
Maaser means a tithe, or a tenth part, often referring to a payment of a tenth of one's income. It is mentioned in the Bible as a way to support the Levites and the poor.
Definition: 1) tithe, tenth part 1a) tenth part 1b) tithe, payment of a tenth part
Usage: Occurs in 27 OT verses. KJV: tenth (part), tithe(-ing). See also: Genesis 14:20; Deuteronomy 26:12; Malachi 3:10.
הַ/דָּגָן֙
dâgân
H1715
"grain"
Art | N-ms
Dagan refers to grain or wheat, a staple food in ancient Israel. In Genesis 41:35, Joseph advised Pharaoh to store grain during the good years to prepare for famine, and in Leviticus 23:10, the Israelites were instructed to offer a sheaf of grain as an offering.
Definition: wheat, cereal, grain, corn
Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: corn (floor), wheat. See also: Genesis 27:28; Nehemiah 13:12; Psalms 4:8.
הַ/תִּיר֣וֹשׁ
tîyrôwsh
H8492
"new wine"
Art | N-ms
New wine, freshly squeezed from grapes, is the meaning of this Hebrew word. It can also refer to fermented wine, but that is less common. The KJV translates it as new or sweet wine.
Definition: wine, fresh or new wine, must, freshly pressed wine
Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: (new, sweet) wine. See also: Genesis 27:28; Psalms 4:8; Proverbs 3:10.
וְ/הַ/יִּצְהָ֔ר
yitshâr
H3323
"oil"
Conj | Art | N-ms
Oil that produces light, often used for anointing and ceremonial purposes, as described in Exodus. It symbolizes purity and is used in sacred rituals. This type of oil is mentioned in the context of priestly duties.
Definition: fresh oil, shining (pure) oil
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] anointed oil. See also: Numbers 18:12; Nehemiah 10:38; Jeremiah 31:12.
מִצְוַת֙
mitsvâh
H4687
"commandment"
N-fs
This Hebrew word means a command or law given by God or humans, as seen in the Bible's rules and guidelines. It appears in books like Exodus and Deuteronomy. The commandments guide people's actions.
Definition: 1) commandment 1a) commandment (of man) 1b) the commandment (of God) 1c) commandment (of code of wisdom)
Usage: Occurs in 177 OT verses. KJV: (which was) commanded(-ment), law, ordinance, precept. See also: Genesis 26:5; 1 Chronicles 28:8; Psalms 19:9.
הַ/לְוִיִּ֔ם
Lêvîyîy
H3881
"Levi"
Art | Ngmpa
A Levite is a descendant of Levi, one of Jacob's 12 sons, mentioned in Genesis 29:34. Levi's brothers include Reuben, Simeon, and Judah. His descendants played a key role in Israel's spiritual life.
Definition: Someone from the tribe of Levi living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.29.34; son of: Israel (H3478) and Leah (H3812); brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Judah (H3063), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074) and Dinah (H1783); half-brother of: Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); father of: Gershon (H1648), Kohath (H6955), Merari (H4847) and Jochebed (H3115) Another name of le.vi (לֵוִי "Levi" H3878) § Levite, of Levi "joined to" 1) the descendants of Levi, the 3rd son of Jacob by Leah 1a) the tribe descended from Levi specially set aside by God for His service
Usage: Occurs in 258 OT verses. KJV: Leviite. See also: Exodus 4:14; 1 Chronicles 6:33; Ezra 6:20.
וְ/הַ/מְשֹׁרְרִ֖ים
shîyr
H7891
"to sing"
Conj | Art | V-o
This Hebrew word means to sing, and it is used in the Bible to describe the act of singing, like when the Israelites sang after crossing the Red Sea in Exodus 15. It can also refer to a singer or songstress. The Bible often mentions singing as a way to praise God.
Definition: 1) to sing 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sing 1a2) singer, songstresses (participle) 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to sing 1b2) singer, songstress (participle) 1c) (Hophal) to be sung
Usage: Occurs in 79 OT verses. KJV: behold (by mistake for H7789 (שׁוּר)), sing(-er, -ing man, -ing woman). See also: Exodus 15:1; Nehemiah 12:45; Psalms 7:1.
וְ/הַ/שֹּׁעֲרִ֑ים
shôwʻêr
H7778
"gatekeeper"
Conj | Art | N-mp
A gatekeeper or porter was a person responsible for guarding and maintaining a gate or door. This word is used to describe someone who controls access to a building or area. In the Bible, it is translated as doorkeeper or porter.
Definition: gatekeeper, porter
Usage: Occurs in 37 OT verses. KJV: doorkeeper, porter. See also: 2 Samuel 18:26; 2 Chronicles 23:4; Nehemiah 13:5.
וּ/תְרוּמַ֖ת
tᵉrûwmâh
H8641
"contribution"
Conj | N-fs
In the Bible, this word refers to a contribution or offering given to God, often as part of a sacrifice or tribute. It appears in Leviticus and Numbers, where it describes the gifts the Israelites gave to God. This word highlights the importance of giving to God.
Definition: 1) contribution, offering 1a) a heave offering 1b) any offering 1c) an offering to God 1d) an offering (of grain, money, etc) 1e) contribution
Usage: Occurs in 63 OT verses. KJV: gift, heave offering (shoulder), oblation, offered(-ing). See also: Exodus 25:2; Numbers 31:29; Proverbs 29:4.
הַ/כֹּהֲנִֽים
kôhên
H3548
"priest"
Art | N-mp
In the Bible, a priest is a person who serves God and leads others in worship, like the Levitical priests in Exodus. They were responsible for making sacrifices and following God's laws. This term is also used to describe Jesus as a priest-king.
Definition: 1) priest, principal officer or chief ruler 1a) priest-king (Melchizedek, Messiah) 1b) pagan priests 1c) priests of Jehovah 1d) Levitical priests 1e) Zadokite priests 1f) Aaronic priests 1g) the high priest Aramaic equivalent: ka.hen (כָּהֵן "priest" H3549)
Usage: Occurs in 653 OT verses. KJV: chief ruler, [idiom] own, priest, prince, principal officer. See also: Genesis 14:18; Leviticus 13:33; Numbers 17:2.
Study Notes — Nehemiah 13:5
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- Ellicott's Commentary on Nehemiah 13:5
- Cambridge Bible on Nehemiah 13:5
- Barnes' Notes on Nehemiah 13:5
- Whedon's Commentary on Nehemiah 13:5
- Sermons on Nehemiah 13:5
Context — The Temple Cleansed
3As soon as the people heard this law, they excluded from Israel all of foreign descent.
4Now before this, Eliashib the priest, a relative of Tobiah, had been put in charge of the storerooms of the house of our God
5and 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.
6While all this was happening, I was not in Jerusalem, because I had returned to Artaxerxes king of Babylon in the thirty-second year of his reign. Some time later I obtained leave from the king 7to return to Jerusalem. Then I discovered the evil that Eliashib had done on behalf of Tobiah by providing him a room in the courts of the house of God.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nehemiah 12:44 | And on that same day men were appointed over the rooms that housed the supplies, contributions, firstfruits, and tithes. The portions specified by the Law for the priests and Levites were gathered into these storerooms from the fields of the villages, because Judah rejoiced over the priests and Levites who were serving. |
| 2 | 2 Chronicles 34:11 | They also gave money to the carpenters and builders to buy dressed stone, as well as timbers for couplings and beams for the buildings that the kings of Judah had allowed to deteriorate. |
| 3 | Numbers 18:21–24 | Behold, I have given to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work they do, the service of the Tent of Meeting. No longer may the Israelites come near to the Tent of Meeting, or they will incur guilt and die. The Levites are to perform the work of the Tent of Meeting, and they must bear their iniquity. This is a permanent statute for the generations to come. The Levites will not receive an inheritance among the Israelites. For I have given to the Levites as their inheritance the tithe that the Israelites present to the LORD as a contribution. That is why I told them that they would not receive an inheritance among the Israelites.” |
| 4 | Nehemiah 10:38 | A priest of Aaron’s line is to accompany the Levites when they collect the tenth, and the Levites are to bring a tenth of these tithes to the storerooms of the treasury in the house of our God. |
Nehemiah 13:5 Summary
This verse tells us that a priest named Eliashib gave a room in the temple to his relative Tobiah, which was wrong because it showed favoritism and compromised the temple's purpose. The room had previously been used to store important temple items, such as grain offerings and frankincense, as described in Leviticus 27:30-32. This action went against the principles of fairness and equality found in Deuteronomy 10:17 and Acts 10:34. We can learn from this verse the importance of being fair and impartial, and not showing favoritism to certain individuals or groups, as instructed in Deuteronomy 10:17.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was wrong with preparing a room for Tobiah in the temple?
Preparing a room for Tobiah in the temple was wrong because it showed favoritism and compromised the temple's purpose, as seen in Nehemiah 13:5, and went against the principles of fairness and equality in Deuteronomy 10:17 and Acts 10:34.
Why did Eliashib, a priest, allow Tobiah to have a room in the temple?
Eliashib allowed Tobiah to have a room in the temple because he was a relative of Tobiah, as mentioned in Nehemiah 13:4, which indicates a conflict of interest and a lack of integrity, as warned against in Leviticus 19:15 and Proverbs 17:23.
What were the temple articles and tithes that were previously stored in the room given to Tobiah?
The temple articles and tithes mentioned in Nehemiah 13:5 refer to the grain offerings, frankincense, and other items prescribed for the Levites, singers, and gatekeepers, as well as the contributions for the priests, as described in Leviticus 27:30-32 and Numbers 18:21-24.
How does this verse relate to the overall theme of Nehemiah?
This verse relates to the overall theme of Nehemiah, which is the restoration of Jerusalem and the temple, by highlighting the need for integrity and faithfulness among the leaders, as emphasized in Nehemiah 13:1-3 and Ezra 7:10.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I may be compromising my values or faith by showing favoritism to certain individuals or groups?
- How can I ensure that I am being fair and impartial in my dealings with others, as instructed in Deuteronomy 10:17?
- What are some areas in my life where I may be prioritizing personal relationships over my commitment to God, as seen in Nehemiah 13:4-5?
- How can I work to restore integrity and faithfulness in my own life and in my community, as encouraged in Ezra 7:10 and Nehemiah 13:1-3?
Gill's Exposition on Nehemiah 13:5
And he had prepared for him a great chamber,.... In the temple, by throwing together several chambers, as Piscator observes: where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Nehemiah 13:5
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
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Nehemiah 13:5
He had prepared for him a great chamber; by removing the things which were in it, and uniting divers small chambers into one, and furnishing it for thee use of Tobiah when he came to Jerusalem; whom he seems to have lodged there that he might have more free and secret communication with him, this being in a place where the people might not come.
Trapp's Commentary on Nehemiah 13:5
Nehemiah 13:5 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.Ver. 5. And he had prepared for him a great chamber] Called chambers, Nehemiah 13:9, for he had laid many chambers into one, saith Junius, by taking down the partitions, and furnishing the same for his friend and ally Tobiah.
Ellicott's Commentary on Nehemiah 13:5
(5) A great chamber.—The sequel shows that many email chambers had been thrown into one.
Cambridge Bible on Nehemiah 13:5
5. and he had prepared] R.V. had prepared. Literally, ‘had made.’ It is possible that we are to understand by this expression that Eliashib had made a large chamber for Tobiah by knocking together two or three smaller ones. But it is better to understand by it ‘had fitted up’ or ‘furnished.’ chamber] One of the rooms on the side of the Temple or in the buildings connected with the Temple. The suggestion that Tobiah was a Jew and that the high-priest’s action may have technically been defensible does not agree with the general impression to be gathered from Nehemiah’s narrative, cf. Nehemiah 2:10. the meat offerings] R.V. the meal offerings. For the law of the meal offering, cf. Leviticus 2:6. the frankincense] For the use of frankincense in offerings, cf. Exodus 30:34; Leviticus 2:1; Leviticus 2:15; Leviticus 6:15; Leviticus 24:7; 1 Chronicles 9:29. the vessels] Probably the various instruments for measuring the quantities contributed and for conveying them to the altar, cf. Nehemiah 10:39. the tithes] The tithe here referred to is of the produce of the field, cf. Nehemiah 10:37. the new wine] R.V. the wine.which was commanded to be given] R.V. which were given by commandment.
Literally, ‘the commandment of,’ i.e. ‘the statutable right of,’ ‘the due of,’ cf. Deuteronomy 18:3. Levites … singers … porters] and the offerings of the priests] R.V. and the heave offerings for the priests. These were the priests’ tithe of the Levites’ tithe as mentioned in Neh. 10:39, 40, Nehemiah 12:47.
Barnes' Notes on Nehemiah 13:5
The offerings of the priests - i e “the portion of the offerings assigned for their sustenance to the priests.”
Whedon's Commentary on Nehemiah 13:5
5. Great chamber — Formed, probably, as Piscator suggests, by removing the partitions from several contiguous chambers, and thus throwing them all into one.
Sermons on Nehemiah 13:5
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Solitary Sin Bearer by J. Glyn Owen | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of sin-bearing and its significance in the Christian faith. He refers to the biblical story of Aaron confessing the sins of Israe |
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I Seek Not What Is Yours but You by John Piper | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the topic of giving and stewardship based on the teachings in the Bible. He emphasizes that giving should come from the heart, willingly and |
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Tithes & the Levites by Gareth Evans | Gareth Evans preaches on the significance of the Levites as ministers of the tabernacle, chosen by God for various responsibilities such as judging the people, teaching the law, of |