Nehemiah 13:11
◄  Nehemiah 13:11  ►
New International Version (©2011)
So I rebuked the officials and asked them, "Why is the house of God neglected?" Then I called them together and stationed them at their posts.

New Living Translation (©2007)
I immediately confronted the leaders and demanded, "Why has the Temple of God been neglected?" Then I called all the Levites back again and restored them to their proper duties.

English Standard Version (©2001)
So I confronted the officials and said, “Why is the house of God forsaken?” And I gathered them together and set them in their stations.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
So I reprimanded the officials and said, "Why is the house of God forsaken?" Then I gathered them together and restored them to their posts.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
Therefore, I rebuked the officials, saying, "Why has the house of God been neglected?" I gathered the Levites and singers together and stationed them at their posts.

International Standard Version (©2012)
So I confronted the officials and asked, "Why is the Temple of God neglected?" Then I gathered them together and put them back in their places.

NET Bible (©2006)
So I registered a complaint with the leaders, asking "Why is the temple of God neglected?" Then I gathered them and reassigned them to their positions.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
I reprimanded the leaders. "Why is God's temple being neglected?" I asked. So I brought the Levites back together and put them back in their places of service.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.

American King James Version
Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.

American Standard Version
Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And I pleaded the matter against the magistrates, and said: Why have we forsaken the house of God? And I gathered them together, and I made them to stand in their places.

Darby Bible Translation
Then I contended with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together and set them in their place.

English Revised Version
Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then I contended with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? and I assembled them, and set them in their place.

World English Bible
Then I contended with the rulers, and said, "Why is the house of God forsaken?" I gathered them together, and set them in their place.

Young's Literal Translation
And I strive with the prefects, and say, 'Wherefore hath the house of God been forsaken?' and I gather them, and set them on their station;

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

13:10-14 If a sacred character will not keep men from setting an evil example, it must not shelter any one from deserved blame and punishment. The Levites had been wronged; their portions had not been given them. They were gone to get livelihoods for themselves and their families, for their profession would not maintain them. A maintenance not sufficient, makes a poor ministry. The work is neglected, because the workmen are. Nehemiah laid the fault upon the rulers. Both ministers and people, who forsake religion and the services of it, and magistrates, who do not what they can to keep them to it, will have much to answer for. He delayed not to bring the Levites to their places again, and that just payment should be made. Nehemiah on every occasion looked up to God, and committed himself and all his affairs to Him. It pleased him to think that he had been of use to revive and support religion in his country. He here refers to God, not in pride, but with a humble appeal concerning his honest intention in what he had done. He prays, Remember me; not, Reward me. Wipe not out my good deeds; not, Publish them, or record them. Yet he was rewarded, and his good deeds recorded. God does more than we are able to ask.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 11. - Then contended I with the rulers. While the guilt of profaning the temple lay especially with the priestly class, that of withholding the tithes was mainly chargeable on the "rulers," or "nobles." These persons, as wealthy landowners, had of course a pecuniary interest in keeping back the tithe. When they felt the control of a strong hand they made the payments regularly enough (Nehemiah 12:47; Nehemiah 13:12); but no sooner was this control removed by Nehemiah's departure than they relapsed into the covetous habits in which they had indulged before he was made governor (Nehemiah 10:37). The Church in all ages has suffered wrong from the cupidity of wealthy men among its members. Why is the house of God forsaken? Why, contrarily to the distinct pledge given at the time of the renewal of the covenant (Nehemiah 10:39), have you suffered the house of God to become a solitude, driving the Levites away from it by depriving them of their legal sustenance? I gathered them together. Nehemiah brought the Levites back to the temple from their country residences, and re-established them in their proper offices.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Then I contended with the rulers;.... The ecclesiastical rulers, the priests that were appointed over those chambers, Nehemiah 12:44, he expostulated with them warmly, and chode them severely for their conduct:

and said, why is the house of God forsaken? no care being taken of the maintenance of the ministers of it, contrary to the promise made Nehemiah 10:37,

and l gathered them together; the Levites and singers that were dispersed in the countries round about:

and set them in their place; in the temple, and in the course of their ministry there.

Nehemiah 13:11 Parallel Commentaries

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Tithes Restored
10And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them: for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field. 11Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place. 12Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil to the treasuries. …

Nehemiah 10:39 The people of Israel, including the Levites, are to bring their contributions of grain, new wine and olive oil to the storerooms, where the articles for the sanctuary and for the ministering priests, the gatekeepers and the musicians are also kept. "We will not neglect the house of our God."
Nehemiah 13:17 I rebuked the nobles of Judah and said to them, "What is this wicked thing you are doing--desecrating the Sabbath day?
Nehemiah 13:25 I rebuked them and called curses down on them. I beat some of the men and pulled out their hair. I made them take an oath in God's name and said: "You are not to give your daughters in marriage to their sons, nor are you to take their daughters in marriage for your sons or for yourselves.
Proverbs 28:4 Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked, but those who heed it resist them.
Malachi 3:8 "Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How are we robbing you?' "In tithes and offerings.