Nehemiah 13 Study Notes: Nehemiah’s Final Reforms
After a reading from the Law of Moses, the people exclude everyone of foreign origin from Israel. Back from King Artaxerxes, Nehemiah evicts Tobiah from a temple room, restores the Levites’ support, stops Sabbath trade, confronts foreign marriages, and drives off the high priest’s grandson, Sanballat’s son-in-law.
General
What problem did Nehemiah see among the children of Jewish men whose wives came from Ashdod, Moab, and Ammon (Nehemiah 13:23-24)?
Answer: Half of them were unable to speak Judah’s own tongue
Nehemiah found Jewish men whose wives came from Ashdod, Moab, and Ammon (13:23). Half the children spoke Ashdod’s tongue or another people’s, and could not speak Judah’s own language (13:24). Nehemiah rebuked and cursed the men, struck some of them and tore their hair, and made them swear by God that neither they nor their children would marry into these peoples (13:25). The oath repeated what the people had already pledged (10:30), which in turn came from the Law of Moses, where the reason given is that such marriages would turn Israel’s children away to worship other gods (Deuteronomy 7:3-4). Ezra had faced the same problem earlier (Ezra 9:1-2).
- Nehemiah 13:23-25 (BSB)“In those days I also saw Jews who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or of the other peoples, but could not speak the language of Judah. I rebuked them and called down curses on them. I beat some of these men and pulled out their hair. Then I made them take an oath before God and said, “You must not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters as wives for your sons or for yourselves!”Nehemiah finds marriages with women of Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab, rebukes the men, and makes them swear an oath.
- Nehemiah 10:30 (BSB)“We will not give our daughters in marriage to the people of the land, and we will not take their daughters for our sons.”The people had pledged not to make such marriages, the very pledge Nehemiah now enforces.
- Deuteronomy 7:3-4 (BSB)“Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, because they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods. Then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and He will swiftly destroy you.”The Law forbade these marriages because they would turn Israel’s children to other gods.
- Ezra 9:1-2 (BSB)“After these things had been accomplished, the leaders approached me and said, “The people of Israel, including the priests and Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the surrounding peoples whose abominations are like those of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites. Indeed, the Israelites have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, so that the holy seed has been mixed with the people of the land. And the leaders and officials have taken the lead in this unfaithfulness!””Ezra had faced the same unfaithfulness among the people and their leaders.
Theological
What did Nehemiah observe about the children of Jewish men whose wives came from Ashdod, Moab, and Ammon (Nehemiah 13:23-24)?
Answer: Half of them were unable to speak Judah’s own tongue
Nehemiah discovered marriages with women of Ashdod, Moab, and Ammon (13:23), and half the children spoke Ashdod’s speech or another people’s and could not speak Judah’s tongue (13:24). He rebuked and cursed the men, struck some and tore their hair, and put them under oath before God to make no further marriages of this kind for their children or themselves (13:25). The oath reasserts the covenant stipulation of 10:30, grounded in Deuteronomy 7:3-4, where the danger named is apostasy to other gods, and it recalls the same breach Ezra had confronted (Ezra 9:1-2).
- Nehemiah 13:23-25 (BSB)“In those days I also saw Jews who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or of the other peoples, but could not speak the language of Judah. I rebuked them and called down curses on them. I beat some of these men and pulled out their hair. Then I made them take an oath before God and said, “You must not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters as wives for your sons or for yourselves!”Nehemiah finds marriages with women of Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab, rebukes the men, and makes them swear an oath.
- Nehemiah 10:30 (BSB)“We will not give our daughters in marriage to the people of the land, and we will not take their daughters for our sons.”The people had pledged not to make such marriages, the very pledge Nehemiah now enforces.
- Deuteronomy 7:3-4 (BSB)“Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, because they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods. Then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and He will swiftly destroy you.”The Law forbade these marriages because they would turn Israel’s children to other gods.
- Ezra 9:1-2 (BSB)“After these things had been accomplished, the leaders approached me and said, “The people of Israel, including the priests and Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the surrounding peoples whose abominations are like those of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites. Indeed, the Israelites have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, so that the holy seed has been mixed with the people of the land. And the leaders and officials have taken the lead in this unfaithfulness!””Ezra had faced the same unfaithfulness among the people and their leaders.
General
What does Nehemiah 13:2 say God did with the curse Balaam was hired to pronounce?
Answer: He changed it so that it became a blessing for Israel
Balaam was paid to curse Israel, but the verse adds that God changed it into a blessing (13:2). Moses had explained this in the Law: the LORD refused to heed Balaam and made the curse a blessing because He loved Israel (Deuteronomy 23:4-5). Balaam himself confessed that he had no power to curse a people God had not cursed (Numbers 23:8), and Balak angrily complained that Balaam had blessed Israel three times (Numbers 24:10). God rules even over what His people’s enemies plan against them. Joseph said the same thing about his brothers: what they meant for evil, God meant for good (Genesis 50:20).
- Nehemiah 13:2 (BSB)“because they had not met the Israelites with food and water, but had hired Balaam to call down a curse against them (although our God had turned the curse into a blessing).”The verse adds that God overturned the curse Balaam was hired to speak.
- Deuteronomy 23:4-5 (BSB)“For they did not meet you with food and water on your way out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram-naharaim to curse you. Yet the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam, and the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loves you.”Moses explains that the LORD would not listen to Balaam and turned the curse into a blessing because He loved Israel.
- Numbers 23:8 (BSB)“How can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce those whom the LORD has not denounced?”Balaam himself admitted he could not curse those whom God had not cursed.
- Numbers 24:10 (BSB)“Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together and said to Balaam, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times.”Balak complained that Balaam had blessed Israel three times instead of cursing them.
- Genesis 50:20 (BSB)“As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people.”Joseph’s words show the same pattern: what others intended for evil, God intended for good.
Theological
How does Nehemiah 13:2 describe God’s action regarding Balaam’s hired curse?
Answer: He changed it so that it became a blessing for Israel
Nehemiah 13:2 adds that God transformed the curse into blessing. Deuteronomy 23:4-5 grounds this in the LORD’s refusal to heed Balaam and in His love for Israel. Balaam confessed he could not curse whom God had not cursed (Numbers 23:8), and Balak protested that he had blessed Israel three times (Numbers 24:10). The episode displays God’s sovereign rule over the intentions of His people’s enemies: what is plotted for harm, He overrules for good (Genesis 50:20).
- Nehemiah 13:2 (BSB)“because they had not met the Israelites with food and water, but had hired Balaam to call down a curse against them (although our God had turned the curse into a blessing).”The verse adds that God overturned the curse Balaam was hired to speak.
- Deuteronomy 23:4-5 (BSB)“For they did not meet you with food and water on your way out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram-naharaim to curse you. Yet the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam, and the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loves you.”Moses explains that the LORD would not listen to Balaam and turned the curse into a blessing because He loved Israel.
- Numbers 23:8 (BSB)“How can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce those whom the LORD has not denounced?”Balaam himself admitted he could not curse those whom God had not cursed.
- Numbers 24:10 (BSB)“Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together and said to Balaam, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times.”Balak complained that Balaam had blessed Israel three times instead of cursing them.
- Genesis 50:20 (BSB)“As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people.”Joseph’s words show the same pattern: what others intended for evil, God intended for good.
General
What steps did Nehemiah take to stop trade on the Sabbath (Nehemiah 13:19-22)?
Answer: He shut the gates at dusk, posted guards, and later assigned Levites
As evening shadows fell on Jerusalem’s gates before the Sabbath, Nehemiah ordered the gates closed and kept shut until the Sabbath was over, and he stationed some of his own servants there to keep any load from coming in (13:19). Once or twice merchants camped outside the wall, but he warned them that if they did it again he would lay hands on them, and after that they stopped coming on the Sabbath (13:20-21). Then he told the Levites to make themselves clean and stand watch at the gates, keeping the Sabbath holy (13:22). The Law commanded Israel to hold the Sabbath holy and do no work (Exodus 20:8-10), for it was a day of complete rest to the LORD (Leviticus 23:3).
- Nehemiah 13:19-22 (BSB)“When the evening shadows began to fall on the gates of Jerusalem, just before the Sabbath, I ordered that the gates be shut and not opened until after the Sabbath. I posted some of my servants at the gates so that no load could enter on the Sabbath day. Once or twice, the merchants and those who sell all kinds of goods camped outside Jerusalem, but I warned them, “Why are you camping in front of the wall? If you do it again, I will lay hands on you.” From that time on, they did not return on the Sabbath. Then I instructed the Levites to purify themselves and guard the gates in order to keep the Sabbath day holy. Remember me for this as well, O my God, and show me mercy according to Your abundant loving devotion.”Nehemiah closes the gates before the Sabbath, warns the merchants, and sets Levites to guard the gates.
- Exodus 20:8-10 (BSB)“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, on which you must not do any work—neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant or livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates.”The command to keep the Sabbath holy forbade work on the seventh day.
- Leviticus 23:3 (BSB)“For six days work may be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, a day of sacred assembly. You must not do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the LORD.”The Sabbath was a day of complete rest and sacred assembly to the LORD.
Theological
By what measures did Nehemiah enforce the Sabbath (Nehemiah 13:19-22)?
Answer: He shut the gates at dusk, posted guards, and later assigned Levites
Nehemiah had the gates shut at dusk before the Sabbath and kept closed until it ended, with his own servants posted to stop any load from entering (13:19). When merchants lodged outside the wall once or twice, he threatened to lay hands on them, and they ceased coming (13:20-21). He then charged the Levites to cleanse themselves and keep watch at the gates to sanctify the Sabbath (13:22). The measures enforce the Sinai command to hold the Sabbath holy (Exodus 20:8-10) as a day of complete rest to the LORD (Leviticus 23:3).
- Nehemiah 13:19-22 (BSB)“When the evening shadows began to fall on the gates of Jerusalem, just before the Sabbath, I ordered that the gates be shut and not opened until after the Sabbath. I posted some of my servants at the gates so that no load could enter on the Sabbath day. Once or twice, the merchants and those who sell all kinds of goods camped outside Jerusalem, but I warned them, “Why are you camping in front of the wall? If you do it again, I will lay hands on you.” From that time on, they did not return on the Sabbath. Then I instructed the Levites to purify themselves and guard the gates in order to keep the Sabbath day holy. Remember me for this as well, O my God, and show me mercy according to Your abundant loving devotion.”Nehemiah closes the gates before the Sabbath, warns the merchants, and sets Levites to guard the gates.
- Exodus 20:8-10 (BSB)“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, on which you must not do any work—neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant or livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates.”The command to keep the Sabbath holy forbade work on the seventh day.
- Leviticus 23:3 (BSB)“For six days work may be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, a day of sacred assembly. You must not do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the LORD.”The Sabbath was a day of complete rest and sacred assembly to the LORD.
General
One of the high priest Eliashib’s grandsons had married into Sanballat’s family. How did Nehemiah respond (Nehemiah 13:28-29)?
Answer: He drove the man away from his presence
A son of Jehoiada, and so a grandson of the high priest Eliashib, had married a daughter of Sanballat the Horonite (13:28), the man who had opposed the rebuilding from the start (2:10). Nehemiah drove him away, and he asked God to remember those who had made the priesthood unclean and violated the covenant made with priests and Levites (13:28-29). God’s covenant with Levi called for reverence for His name (Malachi 2:4-5). Nehemiah then cleansed priests and Levites of every foreign thing and gave each of them assigned duties (13:30).
- Nehemiah 13:28-29 (BSB)“Even one of the sons of Jehoiada son of Eliashib the high priest had become a son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite. Therefore I drove him away from me. Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites.”A grandson of the high priest has married into Sanballat’s family, and Nehemiah drives him away.
- Nehemiah 2:10 (BSB)“But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were deeply disturbed that someone had come to seek the well-being of the Israelites.”Sanballat the Horonite had opposed Nehemiah’s work from the very start.
- Malachi 2:4-5 (BSB)“Then you will know that I have sent you this commandment so that My covenant with Levi may continue,” says the LORD of Hosts. “My covenant with him was one of life and peace, which I gave to him; it called for reverence, and he revered Me and stood in awe of My name.”God’s covenant with Levi called for reverence for His name, the covenant Nehemiah says was defiled.
Theological
How did Nehemiah deal with the grandson of the high priest Eliashib who had become Sanballat’s son-in-law (Nehemiah 13:28-29)?
Answer: He drove the man away from his presence
A son of Jehoiada and grandson of the high priest Eliashib had married into the family of Sanballat the Horonite (13:28), the leading opponent of the work (2:10). Nehemiah expelled him and called on God to remember those who had polluted the priesthood and violated the covenant with priests and Levites (13:28-29). The priesthood rested on God’s covenant with Levi, which required reverence for His name (Malachi 2:4-5). Nehemiah followed this by cleansing priests and Levites of every foreign thing and setting their duties in order (13:30).
- Nehemiah 13:28-29 (BSB)“Even one of the sons of Jehoiada son of Eliashib the high priest had become a son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite. Therefore I drove him away from me. Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites.”A grandson of the high priest has married into Sanballat’s family, and Nehemiah drives him away.
- Nehemiah 2:10 (BSB)“But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were deeply disturbed that someone had come to seek the well-being of the Israelites.”Sanballat the Horonite had opposed Nehemiah’s work from the very start.
- Malachi 2:4-5 (BSB)“Then you will know that I have sent you this commandment so that My covenant with Levi may continue,” says the LORD of Hosts. “My covenant with him was one of life and peace, which I gave to him; it called for reverence, and he revered Me and stood in awe of My name.”God’s covenant with Levi called for reverence for His name, the covenant Nehemiah says was defiled.
General
Why had the Levites and the singers left their temple duties to work their fields (Nehemiah 13:10)?
Answer: Because the portions owed to them had stopped coming
Nehemiah learned that the Levites’ portions had stopped, so the Levites and the singers who carried out the service had left to work their fields (13:10). He confronted the officials, demanding to know why God’s house had been neglected (13:11), which was the very thing the people had promised would not happen (10:39). He called Levites and singers back to their stations, and the whole of Judah again brought its tithe of grain, wine, and olive oil to the storehouses (13:11-12). He also appointed treasurers who were considered trustworthy to distribute the supplies (13:13). The Law had given the tithes to the Levites in return for their service (Numbers 18:21) and warned Israel never to neglect them (Deuteronomy 12:19).
- Nehemiah 13:10-13 (BSB)“I also learned that because the portions for the Levites had not been given to them, all the Levites and singers responsible for performing the service had gone back to their own fields. So I rebuked the officials and asked, “Why has the house of God been neglected?” Then I gathered the Levites and singers together and stationed them at their posts, and all Judah brought a tenth of the grain, new wine, and oil into the storerooms. I appointed as treasurers over the storerooms Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and Pedaiah of the Levites, with Hanan son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah, to assist them, because they were considered trustworthy. They were responsible for distributing the supplies to their fellow Levites.”The Levites’ portions had stopped, so Nehemiah confronts the officials and restores support for the Levites.
- Nehemiah 10:39 (BSB)“For the Israelites and the Levites are to bring the contributions of grain, new wine, and oil to the storerooms where the articles of the sanctuary are kept and where the ministering priests, the gatekeepers, and the singers stay. Thus we will not neglect the house of our God.””The people had pledged not to neglect God’s house, the very failure Nehemiah now names.
- Numbers 18:21 (BSB)“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.”God gave the tithes to the Levites as their inheritance in return for their service.
- Deuteronomy 12:19 (BSB)“and be careful not to neglect the Levites as long as you live in your land.”The Law warned Israel not to neglect the Levites as long as they lived in the land.
Theological
What caused the Levites and the singers to abandon their service for their fields (Nehemiah 13:10)?
Answer: Because the portions owed to them had stopped coming
The Levites’ portions had not been delivered, so the Levites and the singers charged with the service had returned to farming (13:10). Nehemiah rebuked the officials for neglecting God’s house (13:11), the precise breach of the covenant’s closing pledge (10:39). He reinstated Levites and singers at their stations, all Judah resumed bringing the tithe of grain, wine, and olive oil to the storehouses (13:11-12), and trustworthy treasurers were appointed to distribute it (13:13). The Law assigned the tithe to the Levites for their service (Numbers 18:21) and forbade Israel to neglect them (Deuteronomy 12:19).
- Nehemiah 13:10-13 (BSB)“I also learned that because the portions for the Levites had not been given to them, all the Levites and singers responsible for performing the service had gone back to their own fields. So I rebuked the officials and asked, “Why has the house of God been neglected?” Then I gathered the Levites and singers together and stationed them at their posts, and all Judah brought a tenth of the grain, new wine, and oil into the storerooms. I appointed as treasurers over the storerooms Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and Pedaiah of the Levites, with Hanan son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah, to assist them, because they were considered trustworthy. They were responsible for distributing the supplies to their fellow Levites.”The Levites’ portions had stopped, so Nehemiah confronts the officials and restores support for the Levites.
- Nehemiah 10:39 (BSB)“For the Israelites and the Levites are to bring the contributions of grain, new wine, and oil to the storerooms where the articles of the sanctuary are kept and where the ministering priests, the gatekeepers, and the singers stay. Thus we will not neglect the house of our God.””The people had pledged not to neglect God’s house, the very failure Nehemiah now names.
- Numbers 18:21 (BSB)“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.”God gave the tithes to the Levites as their inheritance in return for their service.
- Deuteronomy 12:19 (BSB)“and be careful not to neglect the Levites as long as you live in your land.”The Law warned Israel not to neglect the Levites as long as they lived in the land.
General
How did Nehemiah respond when he discovered Tobiah’s room in the temple courts (Nehemiah 13:8-9)?
Answer: He threw out Tobiah’s belongings and had the rooms cleansed and restocked
Deeply displeased, Nehemiah tossed all of Tobiah’s belongings out of the chamber (13:8). Then he gave orders for the rooms to be purified and had the temple articles, grain offerings, and incense put back where they belonged (13:9). The people had promised not to neglect God’s house (10:39), and Nehemiah acted to restore it to its proper use. A psalm speaks of zeal for God’s house consuming the one who prays (Psalm 69:9). Centuries later, when Jesus drove the traders out of the temple courts, His disciples remembered those words (John 2:16-17).
- Nehemiah 13:8-9 (BSB)“And I was greatly displeased and threw all of Tobiah’s household goods out of the room. Then I ordered that the rooms be purified, and I had the articles of the house of God restored to them, along with the grain offerings and frankincense.”Nehemiah removes Tobiah’s goods, purifies the rooms, and restores what belonged there.
- Nehemiah 10:39 (BSB)“For the Israelites and the Levites are to bring the contributions of grain, new wine, and oil to the storerooms where the articles of the sanctuary are kept and where the ministering priests, the gatekeepers, and the singers stay. Thus we will not neglect the house of our God.””The people had pledged that God’s house would not be neglected.
- Psalm 69:9 (BSB)“because zeal for Your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult You have fallen on me.”The psalmist speaks of zeal for God’s house consuming him.
- John 2:16-17 (BSB)“To those selling doves He said, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn My Father’s house into a marketplace!” His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for Your house will consume Me.””When Jesus cleared the temple courts, His disciples recalled the psalm’s words about zeal for God’s house.
Theological
What was Nehemiah’s response to finding Tobiah lodged in a temple chamber (Nehemiah 13:8-9)?
Answer: He threw out Tobiah’s belongings and had the rooms cleansed and restocked
Greatly displeased, Nehemiah ejected Tobiah’s possessions from the chamber (13:8), ordered the rooms purified, and restored the sacred vessels, the incense, and the grain offerings (13:9). He enforces the covenant pledge that God’s house would not be neglected (10:39). His action shows the kind of zeal for God’s house voiced in Psalm 69:9. Centuries later, when Jesus cleared the temple courts, His disciples recalled that verse (John 2:16-17).
- Nehemiah 13:8-9 (BSB)“And I was greatly displeased and threw all of Tobiah’s household goods out of the room. Then I ordered that the rooms be purified, and I had the articles of the house of God restored to them, along with the grain offerings and frankincense.”Nehemiah removes Tobiah’s goods, purifies the rooms, and restores what belonged there.
- Nehemiah 10:39 (BSB)“For the Israelites and the Levites are to bring the contributions of grain, new wine, and oil to the storerooms where the articles of the sanctuary are kept and where the ministering priests, the gatekeepers, and the singers stay. Thus we will not neglect the house of our God.””The people had pledged that God’s house would not be neglected.
- Psalm 69:9 (BSB)“because zeal for Your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult You have fallen on me.”The psalmist speaks of zeal for God’s house consuming him.
- John 2:16-17 (BSB)“To those selling doves He said, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn My Father’s house into a marketplace!” His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for Your house will consume Me.””When Jesus cleared the temple courts, His disciples recalled the psalm’s words about zeal for God’s house.
General
True or False: After hearing this passage read, the people separated from Israel everyone of foreign descent (Nehemiah 13:3).
Answer: True
This is true. Once the law about Ammonites and Moabites had been heard (13:1-2), the people excluded everyone of foreign descent from Israel (13:3). They had done something similar on their day of confession, when the Israelites kept themselves apart from every foreigner (9:2), and those who joined the covenant were described as people who had set themselves apart from the nearby peoples in order to obey God’s Law (10:28).
- Nehemiah 13:3 (BSB)“As soon as the people heard this law, they excluded from Israel all of foreign descent.”The people act on the law they have just heard.
- Nehemiah 9:2 (BSB)“Those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all the foreigners, and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers.”Earlier, at their day of confession, the Israelites had likewise separated themselves from foreigners.
- Nehemiah 10:28 (BSB)““The rest of the people—the priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, temple servants, and all who had separated themselves from the people of the land to obey the Law of God—along with their wives and all their sons and daughters who are able to understand,”Those who joined the covenant were described as having set themselves apart to obey God’s Law.
Theological
True or False: Upon hearing the reading, the people separated everyone of foreign descent from Israel (Nehemiah 13:3).
Answer: True
This is true. On hearing the law concerning Ammonites and Moabites (13:1-2), the people excluded everyone of foreign descent from Israel (13:3). The act echoes the separation from foreigners at the national confession (9:2) and the description of the covenant community as those who had set themselves apart from the nearby peoples for the sake of obeying God’s Law (10:28).
- Nehemiah 13:3 (BSB)“As soon as the people heard this law, they excluded from Israel all of foreign descent.”The people act on the law they have just heard.
- Nehemiah 9:2 (BSB)“Those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all the foreigners, and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers.”Earlier, at their day of confession, the Israelites had likewise separated themselves from foreigners.
- Nehemiah 10:28 (BSB)““The rest of the people—the priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, temple servants, and all who had separated themselves from the people of the land to obey the Law of God—along with their wives and all their sons and daughters who are able to understand,”Those who joined the covenant were described as having set themselves apart to obey God’s Law.
General
What does Nehemiah ask of God in the short prayers of Nehemiah 13:14, 22, and 31?
Answer: To remember him favorably and show mercy in His loving devotion
Three times in this chapter Nehemiah stops to pray. He asks God to remember him and not wipe out the faithful things he had done for God’s house and its services (13:14). He asks God to remember him and show him mercy according to His great loving devotion (13:22). Loving devotion means God’s faithful, covenant love. The book ends with his prayer to be remembered with favor (13:31). He had prayed this way before (5:19). His appeal rests on God’s loving devotion, the same covenant love he praised in his first prayer (1:5), and a psalm prays in the same way (Psalm 25:7). In the same chapter he also asks God to remember those who defiled the priesthood (13:29).
- Nehemiah 13:14 (BSB)“Remember me for this, O my God, and do not blot out my deeds of loving devotion for the house of my God and for its services.”Nehemiah asks God not to wipe out his faithful service for God’s house.
- Nehemiah 13:22 (BSB)“Then I instructed the Levites to purify themselves and guard the gates in order to keep the Sabbath day holy. Remember me for this as well, O my God, and show me mercy according to Your abundant loving devotion.”He asks for mercy according to God’s great loving devotion.
- Nehemiah 13:31 (BSB)“I also arranged for contributions of wood at the appointed times, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, with favor.”The book closes with Nehemiah’s prayer to be remembered with favor.
- Nehemiah 5:19 (BSB)“Remember me favorably, O my God, for all that I have done for this people.”Nehemiah had prayed this way earlier, after describing his generosity to the people.
- Nehemiah 1:5 (BSB)“Then I said: “O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion with those who love Him and keep His commandments,”From his first prayer Nehemiah addressed God as the One who keeps His covenant of loving devotion.
- Psalm 25:7 (BSB)“Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my rebellious acts; remember me according to Your loving devotion, because of Your goodness, O LORD.”The psalmist likewise asks God to remember him according to His loving devotion and goodness.
Theological
What is the content of Nehemiah’s recurring petitions in Nehemiah 13:14, 22, and 31?
Answer: To remember him favorably and show mercy in His loving devotion
Nehemiah punctuates the account of his reforms with brief petitions: that God would remember him and not blot out his faithful deeds for the temple and its service (13:14), that God would remember him and spare him according to the abundance of His loving devotion (13:22), and finally that God would remember him for good (13:31), echoing his earlier prayer (5:19). The ground of appeal is God’s covenant love, which Nehemiah confessed at the outset (1:5) and on which the psalmist also rests his plea to be remembered (Psalm 25:7). He likewise asks God to remember those who defiled the priesthood (13:29).
- Nehemiah 13:14 (BSB)“Remember me for this, O my God, and do not blot out my deeds of loving devotion for the house of my God and for its services.”Nehemiah asks God not to wipe out his faithful service for God’s house.
- Nehemiah 13:22 (BSB)“Then I instructed the Levites to purify themselves and guard the gates in order to keep the Sabbath day holy. Remember me for this as well, O my God, and show me mercy according to Your abundant loving devotion.”He asks for mercy according to God’s great loving devotion.
- Nehemiah 13:31 (BSB)“I also arranged for contributions of wood at the appointed times, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, with favor.”The book closes with Nehemiah’s prayer to be remembered with favor.
- Nehemiah 5:19 (BSB)“Remember me favorably, O my God, for all that I have done for this people.”Nehemiah had prayed this way earlier, after describing his generosity to the people.
- Nehemiah 1:5 (BSB)“Then I said: “O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion with those who love Him and keep His commandments,”From his first prayer Nehemiah addressed God as the One who keeps His covenant of loving devotion.
- Psalm 25:7 (BSB)“Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my rebellious acts; remember me according to Your loving devotion, because of Your goodness, O LORD.”The psalmist likewise asks God to remember him according to His loving devotion and goodness.
General
When Nehemiah rebuked Judah’s nobles for Sabbath trading, what did he remind them of (Nehemiah 13:17-18)?
Answer: That their ancestors had done the same and God had sent disaster
Nehemiah saw Judeans pressing grapes during the Sabbath and loading donkeys with grain, wine, figs, and grapes to bring into Jerusalem, and he warned them not to sell food that day (13:15). Men from Tyre living in the city were also selling fish and goods to Judah’s people on the Sabbath (13:16). He rebuked the nobles, calling this an evil that profaned the Sabbath, and reminded them that their ancestors had done the same things and God had brought disaster on them and on the city. By doing it again they were stirring up more of His anger against Israel (13:17-18). Jeremiah had warned against carrying loads through Jerusalem’s gates on the Sabbath (Jeremiah 17:21-22) and had said that disobedience would bring fire on the city (Jeremiah 17:27). The people had also pledged not to buy on the Sabbath (10:31).
- Nehemiah 13:15-18 (BSB)“In those days I saw people in Judah treading winepresses on the Sabbath and bringing in grain and loading it on donkeys, along with wine, grapes, and figs. All kinds of goods were being brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. So I warned them against selling food on that day. Additionally, men of Tyre who lived there were importing fish and all kinds of merchandise and selling them on the Sabbath to the people of Judah in Jerusalem. Then I rebuked the nobles of Judah and asked, “What is this evil you are doing—profaning the Sabbath day? Did not your forefathers do the same things, so that our God brought all this disaster on us and on this city? And now you are rekindling His wrath against Israel by profaning the Sabbath!””Nehemiah sees Sabbath work and trade in Jerusalem and confronts the nobles of Judah.
- Jeremiah 17:21-22 (BSB)“This is what the LORD says: Take heed for yourselves; do not carry a load or bring it through the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. You must not carry a load out of your houses or do any work on the Sabbath day, but you must keep the Sabbath day holy, just as I commanded your forefathers.”Through Jeremiah the LORD had forbidden carrying loads through Jerusalem’s gates on the Sabbath.
- Jeremiah 17:27 (BSB)“But if you do not listen to Me to keep the Sabbath day holy by not carrying a load while entering the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, then I will kindle an unquenchable fire in its gates to consume the citadels of Jerusalem.’””The LORD had warned that Sabbath-breaking would bring fire on Jerusalem’s gates and citadels.
- Nehemiah 10:31 (BSB)“When the people of the land bring merchandise or any kind of grain to sell on the Sabbath day, we will not buy from them on a Sabbath or holy day. Every seventh year we will let the fields lie fallow and will cancel every debt.”The people had pledged not to buy goods on the Sabbath.
Theological
What argument did Nehemiah use when rebuking the nobles for profaning the Sabbath (Nehemiah 13:17-18)?
Answer: That their ancestors had done the same and God had sent disaster
Nehemiah found Sabbath labor and commerce in Judah and Jerusalem: winepresses trodden, produce loaded and carried in (13:15), and Tyrian merchants selling fish and wares to Judah on the Sabbath (13:16). He charged the nobles with an evil that profaned the Sabbath and appealed to history: their fathers had done the same, and God had brought this calamity on them and on the city; now they were rekindling His wrath (13:17-18). Jeremiah had earlier warned against carrying loads through the gates on the Sabbath (Jeremiah 17:21-22) and threatened fire on Jerusalem (Jeremiah 17:27), and the trade broke the covenant pledge of 10:31.
- Nehemiah 13:15-18 (BSB)“In those days I saw people in Judah treading winepresses on the Sabbath and bringing in grain and loading it on donkeys, along with wine, grapes, and figs. All kinds of goods were being brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. So I warned them against selling food on that day. Additionally, men of Tyre who lived there were importing fish and all kinds of merchandise and selling them on the Sabbath to the people of Judah in Jerusalem. Then I rebuked the nobles of Judah and asked, “What is this evil you are doing—profaning the Sabbath day? Did not your forefathers do the same things, so that our God brought all this disaster on us and on this city? And now you are rekindling His wrath against Israel by profaning the Sabbath!””Nehemiah sees Sabbath work and trade in Jerusalem and confronts the nobles of Judah.
- Jeremiah 17:21-22 (BSB)“This is what the LORD says: Take heed for yourselves; do not carry a load or bring it through the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. You must not carry a load out of your houses or do any work on the Sabbath day, but you must keep the Sabbath day holy, just as I commanded your forefathers.”Through Jeremiah the LORD had forbidden carrying loads through Jerusalem’s gates on the Sabbath.
- Jeremiah 17:27 (BSB)“But if you do not listen to Me to keep the Sabbath day holy by not carrying a load while entering the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, then I will kindle an unquenchable fire in its gates to consume the citadels of Jerusalem.’””The LORD had warned that Sabbath-breaking would bring fire on Jerusalem’s gates and citadels.
- Nehemiah 10:31 (BSB)“When the people of the land bring merchandise or any kind of grain to sell on the Sabbath day, we will not buy from them on a Sabbath or holy day. Every seventh year we will let the fields lie fallow and will cancel every debt.”The people had pledged not to buy goods on the Sabbath.
General
Why did Nehemiah bring up King Solomon when he rebuked those who had married foreign women (Nehemiah 13:26)?
Answer: Even a king loved by God was led into sin by foreign wives
Nehemiah asked whether Solomon king of Israel had not sinned in exactly this way (13:26). Among many nations there was no king like him; his God loved him and set him on the throne of all Israel, and still foreign women caused even him to sin. Nehemiah then asked whether they must now hear that these men were also doing this great evil and being unfaithful to God (13:27). Solomon’s story is told in 1 Kings: in his old age his foreign wives led his heart away to other gods (1 Kings 11:1-4). The LORD had loved him from birth (2 Samuel 12:24) and had given him a wise heart unlike anyone else’s (1 Kings 3:12).
- Nehemiah 13:26-27 (BSB)“Did not King Solomon of Israel sin in matters like this? There was not a king like him among many nations, and he was loved by his God, who made him king over all Israel—yet foreign women drew him into sin. Must we now hear that you too are doing all this terrible evil and acting unfaithfully against our God by marrying foreign women?””Nehemiah points to Solomon’s fall as a warning against marrying foreign women.
- 1 Kings 11:1-4 (BSB)“King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women. These women were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.” Yet Solomon clung to these women in love. He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines—and his wives turned his heart away. For when Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and he was not wholeheartedly devoted to the LORD his God, as his father David had been.”Solomon’s foreign wives turned his heart after other gods in his old age.
- 2 Samuel 12:24 (BSB)“Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and lay with her. So she gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. Now the LORD loved the child”From his birth Solomon was loved by the LORD, as Nehemiah says.
- 1 Kings 3:12 (BSB)“behold, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been another like you, nor will there ever be.”God gave Solomon a wise heart unlike any other, which made his fall all the more striking.
Theological
What point did Nehemiah make by citing Solomon in his rebuke (Nehemiah 13:26)?
Answer: Even a king loved by God was led into sin by foreign wives
Nehemiah pointed to Solomon, incomparable among the kings of the nations, beloved of his God, and set on the throne of all Israel, who was nonetheless drawn into sin by foreign women (13:26). He then asked whether they must now hear that the men of Judah too were doing this great evil and breaking faith with God (13:27). The account in 1 Kings 11:1-4 records how Solomon’s wives drew his heart to other gods. The LORD’s love for him (2 Samuel 12:24) and his unmatched wisdom (1 Kings 3:12) did not exempt him from the danger.
- Nehemiah 13:26-27 (BSB)“Did not King Solomon of Israel sin in matters like this? There was not a king like him among many nations, and he was loved by his God, who made him king over all Israel—yet foreign women drew him into sin. Must we now hear that you too are doing all this terrible evil and acting unfaithfully against our God by marrying foreign women?””Nehemiah points to Solomon’s fall as a warning against marrying foreign women.
- 1 Kings 11:1-4 (BSB)“King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women. These women were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.” Yet Solomon clung to these women in love. He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines—and his wives turned his heart away. For when Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and he was not wholeheartedly devoted to the LORD his God, as his father David had been.”Solomon’s foreign wives turned his heart after other gods in his old age.
- 2 Samuel 12:24 (BSB)“Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and lay with her. So she gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. Now the LORD loved the child”From his birth Solomon was loved by the LORD, as Nehemiah says.
- 1 Kings 3:12 (BSB)“behold, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been another like you, nor will there ever be.”God gave Solomon a wise heart unlike any other, which made his fall all the more striking.
General
What had Eliashib the priest done while Nehemiah was away (Nehemiah 13:4-7)?
Answer: He prepared a large temple storeroom for Tobiah’s use
Eliashib the priest, who oversaw the temple storerooms and was related to Tobiah, had fitted out a large room for him (13:4-5). That room had held the grain offerings, frankincense, sacred utensils, and the grain, wine, and oil set aside as the tithe for Levites, for singers, and for gatekeepers, plus the priests’ gifts. All this happened while Nehemiah was away from Jerusalem, since he had returned to King Artaxerxes in the king’s thirty-second year; some time later the king let him go back (13:6). When he came back he found out about this evil (13:7). Tobiah had opposed the work from the beginning (2:10, 19) and had many ties of marriage and oath with people in Judah (6:17-18). Now an enemy of the work had a room inside the temple courts.
- Nehemiah 13:4-7 (BSB)“Now before this, Eliashib the priest, a relative of Tobiah, had been put in charge of the storerooms of the house of our God 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. While 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 to 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.”While Nehemiah is away, the priest Eliashib turns a temple storeroom over to Tobiah.
- Nehemiah 2:10 (BSB)“But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were deeply disturbed that someone had come to seek the well-being of the Israelites.”Tobiah had been troubled from the start that someone had come to help the Israelites.
- Nehemiah 2:19 (BSB)“But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about this, they mocked us and ridiculed us, saying, “What is this you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?””Tobiah joined in mocking the builders and accusing them of rebellion.
- Nehemiah 6:17-18 (BSB)“Also in those days, the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and Tobiah’s letters kept coming to them. For many in Judah were bound by oath to him, since he was a son-in-law of Shecaniah son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berechiah.”Tobiah had close ties by marriage and oath to many in Judah.
Theological
What did the priest Eliashib do during Nehemiah’s absence (Nehemiah 13:4-7)?
Answer: He prepared a large temple storeroom for Tobiah’s use
Eliashib, the priest responsible for the temple storerooms and Tobiah’s relative, converted a large chamber, formerly holding grain offerings, frankincense, sacred vessels, and the tithe owed to Levites, singers, and temple gatekeepers, and the priests’ gifts, into a room for Tobiah (13:4-5). This took place while Nehemiah was back with Artaxerxes in the king’s thirty-second year (13:6); on his return he discovered the evil (13:7). Tobiah had been an adversary from the outset (2:10, 19) and was bound to many in Judah by marriage and oath (6:17-18). An opponent of the restoration had been given a room within the temple courts.
- Nehemiah 13:4-7 (BSB)“Now before this, Eliashib the priest, a relative of Tobiah, had been put in charge of the storerooms of the house of our God 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. While 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 to 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.”While Nehemiah is away, the priest Eliashib turns a temple storeroom over to Tobiah.
- Nehemiah 2:10 (BSB)“But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were deeply disturbed that someone had come to seek the well-being of the Israelites.”Tobiah had been troubled from the start that someone had come to help the Israelites.
- Nehemiah 2:19 (BSB)“But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about this, they mocked us and ridiculed us, saying, “What is this you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?””Tobiah joined in mocking the builders and accusing them of rebellion.
- Nehemiah 6:17-18 (BSB)“Also in those days, the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and Tobiah’s letters kept coming to them. For many in Judah were bound by oath to him, since he was a son-in-law of Shecaniah son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berechiah.”Tobiah had close ties by marriage and oath to many in Judah.
General
According to the passage read from Moses’ writings, why were Ammonites and Moabites barred from God’s assembly (Nehemiah 13:1-2)?
Answer: They had refused Israel food and water and paid Balaam to curse them
As Moses’ writings were read to the people, they came to a law shutting Ammonites and Moabites out of God’s assembly for all time (13:1). It gave two reasons: those peoples had refused Israel food and water as they traveled, and they had paid Balaam to curse Israel (13:2). That law is found in Deuteronomy 23:3-5, and the story of Balak, king of Moab, sending for Balaam is told in Numbers 22:5-6. The reading comes just before the account of Tobiah, an Ammonite official (2:10), being given living quarters within the temple courts (13:4-9).
- Nehemiah 13:1-2 (BSB)“At that time the Book of Moses was read aloud in the hearing of the people, and in it they found the passage stating that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the assembly of God, because they had not met the Israelites with food and water, but had hired Balaam to call down a curse against them (although our God had turned the curse into a blessing).”The Book of Moses is read, and the people hear why Ammonites and Moabites were barred from the assembly.
- Deuteronomy 23:3-5 (BSB)“No Ammonite or Moabite or any of their descendants may enter the assembly of the LORD, even to the tenth generation. For they did not meet you with food and water on your way out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram-naharaim to curse you. Yet the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam, and the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loves you.”This is the passage being read, which gives the same two reasons for the exclusion.
- Numbers 22:5-6 (BSB)“he sent messengers to summon Balaam son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the Euphrates in the land of his people. “Behold, a people has come out of Egypt,” said Balak. “They cover the face of the land and have settled next to me. So please come now and put a curse on this people, because they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I may be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land; for I know that those you bless are blessed, and those you curse are cursed.””Balak king of Moab sent for Balaam and asked him to curse Israel.
- Nehemiah 2:10 (BSB)“But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were deeply disturbed that someone had come to seek the well-being of the Israelites.”Tobiah, whose room in the temple is described next, is called an Ammonite official.
Theological
On what grounds did the reading from Moses’ writings exclude Ammonites and Moabites from the assembly (Nehemiah 13:1-2)?
Answer: They had refused Israel food and water and paid Balaam to curse them
The public reading of Moses’ writings brought the people to the law excluding Ammonites and Moabites from God’s assembly (13:1), grounded in their hostility at the exodus: they withheld food and water from Israel and hired Balaam to curse them (13:2). The law read is Deuteronomy 23:3-5, which rests on the episode of Balak summoning Balaam (Numbers 22:5-6). The reading sets up the following scene, in which Tobiah, the Ammonite named in 2:10, has been installed in a temple chamber (13:4-9).
- Nehemiah 13:1-2 (BSB)“At that time the Book of Moses was read aloud in the hearing of the people, and in it they found the passage stating that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the assembly of God, because they had not met the Israelites with food and water, but had hired Balaam to call down a curse against them (although our God had turned the curse into a blessing).”The Book of Moses is read, and the people hear why Ammonites and Moabites were barred from the assembly.
- Deuteronomy 23:3-5 (BSB)“No Ammonite or Moabite or any of their descendants may enter the assembly of the LORD, even to the tenth generation. For they did not meet you with food and water on your way out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram-naharaim to curse you. Yet the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam, and the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loves you.”This is the passage being read, which gives the same two reasons for the exclusion.
- Numbers 22:5-6 (BSB)“he sent messengers to summon Balaam son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the Euphrates in the land of his people. “Behold, a people has come out of Egypt,” said Balak. “They cover the face of the land and have settled next to me. So please come now and put a curse on this people, because they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I may be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land; for I know that those you bless are blessed, and those you curse are cursed.””Balak king of Moab sent for Balaam and asked him to curse Israel.
- Nehemiah 2:10 (BSB)“But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were deeply disturbed that someone had come to seek the well-being of the Israelites.”Tobiah, whose room in the temple is described next, is called an Ammonite official.