Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Remember them, my God, because they defiled the priestly office and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites. New Living Translation Remember them, O my God, for they have defiled the priesthood and the solemn vows of the priests and Levites. English Standard Version Remember them, O my God, because they have desecrated the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites. Berean Standard Bible Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites. Berean Literal Bible Remember them, O my God, on account of the defiling of the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites. King James Bible Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites. New King James Version Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites. New American Standard Bible Remember them, my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites. NASB 1995 Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites. NASB 1977 Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites. Legacy Standard Bible Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites. Amplified Bible O my God, remember them, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites. Berean Annotated Bible Remember them, O my God {Elohay}, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites. Christian Standard Bible Remember them, my God, for defiling the priesthood as well as the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites. Holman Christian Standard Bible Remember them, my God, for defiling the priesthood as well as the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites. American Standard Version Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites. Contemporary English Version I pray that God will punish them for breaking their priestly vows and disgracing the Levi tribe. English Revised Version Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites. GOD'S WORD® Translation [Nehemiah prayed,] "Remember them, my God, because they have contaminated the priestly office and the promise you made to the priests and Levites." Good News Translation Remember, God, how those people defiled both the office of priest and the covenant you made with the priests and the Levites. International Standard Version Remember them, my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and the descendants of Levi. NET Bible Please remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, the covenant of the priesthood, and the Levites. New Heart English Bible Remember them, my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priests, and of the Levites. Webster's Bible Translation Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleRemember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites. World English Bible Remember them, my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionBe mindful of them, O my God, for the redeemed of the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites. Berean Literal Bible Remember them, O my God, on account of the defiling of the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites. Young's Literal Translation Be mindful of them, O my God, for the redeemed of the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites. Smith's Literal Translation Remember to them, O my God, for the pollutions of the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleRemember them, O Lord my God, that defile the priesthood, and the law of priests and Levites. Catholic Public Domain Version O Lord, my God, remember against those who defile the priesthood and the law of the priests and the Levites! New American Bible Remember against them, my God, how they defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites! New Revised Standard Version Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, the covenant of the priests and the Levites. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleRemember me, O my God, concerning the rest of the priesthood and concerning the rest of the priests and the Levites; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Remember them, my God, concerning the rest of the priesthood, and concerning the rest of the Priests and of the Levites. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites. Brenton Septuagint Translation Remember them, O God, for their false connection with the priesthood, and the breaking the covenant of the priesthood, and for defiling the Levites. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Intermarriage Forbidden…28Even 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. 29Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites. 30Thus I purified the priests and Levites from everything foreign, and I assigned specific duties to each of the priests and Levites.… Cross References Remember them, O my God, Nehemiah 6:14 O my God, remember Tobiah and Sanballat for what they have done, and also Noadiah the prophetess and the other prophets who tried to intimidate me. Psalm 109:14-15 May the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the LORD, and the sin of his mother never be blotted out. / May their sins always remain before the LORD, that He may cut off their memory from the earth. Jeremiah 14:10 This is what the LORD says about this people: “Truly they love to wander; they have not restrained their feet. So the LORD does not accept them; He will now remember their iniquity and punish them for their sins.” because they have defiled the priesthood Ezra 9:1-2 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!” Leviticus 21:6-8 They must be holy to their God and not profane the name of their God. Because they present to the LORD the food offerings, the food of their God, they must be holy. / A priest must not marry a woman defiled by prostitution or divorced by her husband, for the priest is holy to his God. / You are to regard him as holy, since he presents the food of your God. He shall be holy to you, because I the LORD am holy—I who set you apart. Malachi 2:11-12 Judah has broken faith; an abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem. For Judah has profaned the LORD’s beloved sanctuary by marrying the daughter of a foreign god. / As for the man who does this, may the LORD cut off from the tents of Jacob everyone who is awake and aware—even if he brings an offering to the LORD of Hosts. and the covenant of the priesthood Numbers 25:12-13 Declare, therefore, that I am granting him My covenant of peace. / It will be a covenant of permanent priesthood for him and his descendants, because he was zealous for his God and made atonement for the Israelites.” Malachi 2:4-5 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. Numbers 18:19 All the holy offerings that the Israelites present to the LORD I give to you and to your sons and daughters as a permanent statute. It is a permanent covenant of salt before the LORD for you and your offspring.” and of the Levites. Jeremiah 33:20-22 “This is what the LORD says: If you can break My covenant with the day and My covenant with the night, so that day and night cease to occupy their appointed time, / then My covenant may also be broken with David My servant and with My ministers the Levites who are priests, so that David will not have a son to reign on his throne. / As the hosts of heaven cannot be counted and as the sand on the seashore cannot be measured, so too will I multiply the descendants of My servant David and the Levites who minister before Me.” Deuteronomy 18:1-8 The Levitical priests—indeed the whole tribe of Levi—shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel. They are to eat the food offerings to the LORD; that is their inheritance. / Although they have no inheritance among their brothers, the LORD is their inheritance, as He promised them. / This shall be the priests’ share from the people who offer a sacrifice, whether a bull or a sheep: the priests are to be given the shoulder, the jowls, and the stomach. … Deuteronomy 10:8-9 At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to serve Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name, as they do to this day. / That is why Levi has no portion or inheritance among his brothers; the LORD is his inheritance, as the LORD your God promised him. Malachi 2:7-9 For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, because he is the messenger of the LORD of Hosts. / But you have departed from the way, and your instruction has caused many to stumble. You have violated the covenant of Levi,” says the LORD of Hosts. / “So I in turn have made you despised and humiliated before all the people, because you have not kept My ways, but have shown partiality in matters of the law.” 1 Kings 11:1-11 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. … Deuteronomy 7:1-4 When the LORD your God brings you into the land that you are entering to possess, and He drives out before you many nations—the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, seven nations larger and stronger than you— / and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you to defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy. / Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, … 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? / What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? / What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” … Treasury of Scripture Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites. Remember. Nehemiah 6:14 My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and on the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear. Psalm 59:5-13 Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah… 2 Timothy 4:14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: because they have defiled. Leviticus 21:1-7 And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto the priests the sons of Aaron, and say unto them, There shall none be defiled for the dead among his people: … the covenant. Numbers 16:9,10 Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them? … Numbers 25:12,13 Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace: … 1 Samuel 2:30 Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed. Jump to Previous Agreement Covenant Defiled Levites Mind Mindful Office Priesthood Priestly Priests Redeemed Remember ShameJump to Next Agreement Covenant Defiled Levites Mind Mindful Office Priesthood Priestly Priests Redeemed Remember ShameNehemiah 13 1. Upon the reading of the law, separation is made from the mixed multitude.4. Nehemiah, at his return, causes the chambers to be cleansed. 10. He reforms the offices in the house of God; 15. the violation of the Sabbath; 23. and the marriages with the strange wives. Remember them, O my God This phrase is a plea for divine justice and intervention. Nehemiah calls upon God to remember the actions of those who have acted against His commands. This reflects a common biblical theme where individuals seek God's remembrance as a form of divine retribution or blessing (e.g., Psalm 25:7). The invocation of God’s memory is significant, as it implies trust in God’s omniscience and justice. It also echoes the covenantal relationship between God and His people, where God’s remembrance often leads to action on behalf of His covenant. because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites Persons / Places / Events 1. NehemiahThe central figure in the book, Nehemiah was a Jewish leader who played a crucial role in rebuilding Jerusalem's walls and reforming the community. He was a man of prayer and action, deeply concerned with the spiritual and physical restoration of his people. 2. Priesthood Refers to the Levitical priests who were set apart to serve in the temple and lead the people in worship. The priesthood was a sacred office established by God, and any defilement of it was a serious offense. 3. Levites Members of the tribe of Levi, who were assigned specific religious duties in the temple. They assisted the priests and were integral to the worship and spiritual life of Israel. 4. Covenant of the Priesthood This covenant refers to the special agreement between God and the priests, particularly the descendants of Aaron, to serve Him and maintain the holiness of the temple and its services. 5. Defilement In this context, defilement refers to the corruption or desecration of the priesthood and its duties, which Nehemiah sought to address and rectify. Teaching Points The Importance of Spiritual LeadershipSpiritual leaders are called to a high standard of holiness and integrity. Just as the priests and Levites were set apart for God's service, so are today's spiritual leaders expected to lead by example. The Seriousness of Defilement Defiling the priesthood was a grave sin because it compromised the spiritual health of the entire community. Believers today must guard against anything that would defile their witness or service to God. God's Faithfulness to His Covenant Despite human failure, God remains faithful to His covenant. This should encourage believers to seek His forgiveness and strive for holiness in their lives. The Role of Prayer in Addressing Sin Nehemiah's prayerful response to the defilement of the priesthood demonstrates the power of prayer in seeking God's intervention and guidance in correcting wrongs. The Call to Holiness for All Believers As a royal priesthood, all believers are called to live lives that reflect God's holiness, serving Him faithfully and maintaining the purity of their witness. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Nehemiah 13:29?2. How does Nehemiah 13:29 highlight the importance of spiritual leadership integrity? 3. What consequences arise from defiling the priesthood, according to Nehemiah 13:29? 4. How can we guard against spiritual corruption in our church communities today? 5. What Old Testament laws connect to the priesthood's purity mentioned in Nehemiah 13:29? 6. How can we apply Nehemiah's zeal for holiness in our personal lives? 7. How does Nehemiah 13:29 reflect God's view on covenant faithfulness and leadership accountability? 8. Why does Nehemiah call for divine retribution against those who defile the priesthood? 9. What historical context led to Nehemiah's prayer in Nehemiah 13:29? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Nehemiah 13? 11. How is Jesus represented in each book of the Bible? 12. Malachi 2:7-8 - Where is the historical or archaeological support that the priests actually corrupted God's covenant in this manner? 13. Ezra 2:64 and Nehemiah 7:66 state the assembly was 42,360, but their totals are 29,818 and 31,089. Why don't the numbers add up? 14. In Leviticus 1:9, why is a 'pleasing aroma' significant to an omnipotent, immaterial God? What Does Nehemiah 13:29 Mean Remember them, O my GodNehemiah’s short prayer places the whole matter before the righteous Judge. • Similar cries appear in Nehemiah 5:19 and Nehemiah 6:14, showing Nehemiah’s pattern of immediate, God-directed responses. • Psalm 25:7 pleads, “Remember not the sins of my youth,” while here the plea is, “Remember them,” those who have broken covenant; both rely on God’s perfect memory and justice. • In 2 Timothy 4:14 Paul echoes the same confidence: “The Lord will repay him for what he has done.” Nehemiah entrusts the offenders to God rather than seeking personal revenge—an example of trusting divine accountability. Because they have defiled the priesthood Defilement speaks of pollution—treating what is holy as common (Ezekiel 22:26). • In Nehemiah 13:4-9 Eliashib the priest allied with Tobiah, an Ammonite, and even gave him a room in the temple courts, blatantly violating Deuteronomy 23:3-4. • Malachi 2:7-9 rebukes priests who “have corrupted the covenant”—the same charge Nehemiah levels. • 1 Samuel 2:29 shows the pattern: Eli’s sons defiled their office and brought judgment. The priesthood was meant to model God’s holiness; corruption within that office endangers the entire community. And the covenant of the priesthood God established a lasting covenant with the priestly line (Numbers 25:10-13; Malachi 2:4-5). • It promised “a covenant of perpetual priesthood” based on zeal and fidelity. • Covenant blessings were conditional upon obedience (Deuteronomy 28:1-14); breaking it invited curse (Deuteronomy 28:15-20). Nehemiah sees the offenders not merely breaking rules but trampling a sacred covenant relationship with God Himself. And of the Levites Levites were entrusted with temple service and teaching (Numbers 3:6-10; 1 Chronicles 23:28-32). Their defilement affected worship for the whole nation. • Earlier in the chapter tithes had been withheld so Levites abandoned their posts (Nehemiah 13:10-13). • Intermarriage with pagan nations also infiltrated their ranks (Nehemiah 13:23-30), echoing Ezra 9:2. • God had commanded Levites to “make a distinction between the holy and the common” (Leviticus 10:10), a standard now ignored. When Levites fail, spiritual drift spreads rapidly; Nehemiah therefore acts decisively and prays earnestly. summary Nehemiah 13:29 captures a leader’s heartfelt appeal for divine justice when sacred offices are polluted: “Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites”. He calls God to remember the offenders, identifies the specific sin—defiling the priesthood and covenant—and underscores the communal damage done to the Levites’ ministry. The verse reminds us that God takes covenant faithfulness seriously, holds leaders to a higher standard, and invites us to entrust judgment to Him while we guard holiness in our own service. (29) Remember them.--This priestly violation of law is committed to God alone for punishment.And of the Levites.--God chose the tribe of Levi for Himself, specially the house of Aaron, and every priest was to be "holy to the Lord" (Leviticus 21:6; Leviticus 21:8). This was "the covenant of the priesthood;" though there may be an undertone of reference to the great covenant in Nehemiah 10. Verse 29. - They have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites. We look in vain for any distinct "covenant" which the priestly order broke by allying itself with the heathen, or indeed for any special law forbidding the priests to take heathen wives, which was not equally binding upon laymen. But Nehemiah feels that every sin is worse in a priest than in one who is not a priest; that a priest who contracts a pollution "pollutes the priesthood;" and that there is a tacit covenant by which priests and Levites bind themselves to holiness of life more absolutely and definitely than others.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Rememberזָכְרָ֥ה (zā·ḵə·rāh) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 2142: To mark, to remember, to mention, to be male them, לָהֶ֖ם (lā·hem) Preposition-l | Pronoun - third person masculine plural Strong's 1992: They O my God, אֱלֹהָ֑י (’ĕ·lō·hāy) Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative because עַ֚ל (‘al) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against they have defiled גָּאֳלֵ֣י (gā·’o·lê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1352: Defiling, defilement the priesthood הַכְּהֻנָּ֔ה (hak·kə·hun·nāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 3550: Priesthood and the covenant וּבְרִ֥ית (ū·ḇə·rîṯ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 1285: A covenant of the priesthood הַכְּהֻנָּ֖ה (hak·kə·hun·nāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 3550: Priesthood and of the Levites. וְהַלְוִיִּֽם׃ (wə·hal·wî·yim) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi Links Nehemiah 13:29 NIVNehemiah 13:29 NLT Nehemiah 13:29 ESV Nehemiah 13:29 NASB Nehemiah 13:29 KJV Nehemiah 13:29 BibleApps.com Nehemiah 13:29 Biblia Paralela Nehemiah 13:29 Chinese Bible Nehemiah 13:29 French Bible Nehemiah 13:29 Catholic Bible OT History: Nehemiah 13:29 Remember them my God because they have (Neh Ne) |
    |