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 had prepared for him a large roomThis phrase indicates a deliberate action taken to accommodate someone in a significant space within the temple. The Hebrew root for "prepared" (כּוּן, kun) suggests establishing or setting up with intention. Historically, this room was meant for sacred purposes, highlighting the gravity of its misuse. The "large room" signifies the importance of the space, which was originally dedicated to God's service, emphasizing the need for holiness and proper stewardship of sacred spaces. where previously they had stored the grain offerings
The "grain offerings" (מִנְחָה, minchah) were a vital part of the sacrificial system, symbolizing dedication and thanksgiving to God. This phrase underscores the sacred function of the room, which was to hold offerings that represented the people's devotion. The historical context reveals the importance of these offerings in maintaining the temple's operations and supporting the Levites, who facilitated worship. the frankincense
Frankincense (לְבוֹנָה, levonah) was a precious substance used in worship, symbolizing prayer and the presence of God. Its mention here highlights the room's role in storing items essential for worship. The use of frankincense in the temple signifies the sweet aroma of prayers ascending to God, reminding believers of the importance of maintaining a life of prayer and devotion. the articles
This term refers to the various utensils and implements used in temple worship. These "articles" were consecrated for holy use, emphasizing the sanctity of the temple and the need for purity in worship. The historical context of these items being set apart for God's service serves as a reminder of the call to holiness in every aspect of life. and the tithes of grain, new wine, and oil
Tithes were a portion of the Israelites' produce dedicated to God, supporting the Levites and the temple's functions. The "grain, new wine, and oil" represent the sustenance and blessings provided by God, which were to be returned to Him in gratitude. This practice underscores the principle of stewardship and the acknowledgment of God's provision in all things. prescribed for the Levites, singers, and gatekeepers
The Levites, singers, and gatekeepers were essential to the temple's operation, each with specific roles in worship and maintaining the temple. The "prescribed" nature of their support indicates a divinely ordained system for sustaining those who serve in God's house. This highlights the importance of supporting spiritual leaders and workers, ensuring that worship and ministry can continue effectively. along with the contributions for the priests
The priests were responsible for performing sacrifices and maintaining the temple's sanctity. "Contributions" (תְּרוּמָה, terumah) were offerings given to support their work, reflecting the community's commitment to upholding the worship of God. This phrase emphasizes the collective responsibility of God's people to ensure that those who minister are provided for, fostering a community centered on worship and service. Persons / Places / Events 1. NehemiahThe governor of Judah who led the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls and instituted reforms to restore the spiritual and social order of the Jewish community. 2. EliashibThe high priest who was responsible for the temple and its services. He allowed Tobiah, an Ammonite official, to use a room in the temple courts, which was against the Law. 3. TobiahAn Ammonite official and adversary of Nehemiah who was given a room in the temple by Eliashib, compromising the sanctity of the temple. 4. The TempleThe central place of worship for the Israelites in Jerusalem, where offerings and tithes were stored and where the Levites, singers, and gatekeepers served. 5. Levites, Singers, and GatekeepersTemple servants who were supported by the tithes and offerings of the people, ensuring the proper functioning of temple worship. Teaching Points Sanctity of Worship SpacesThe temple was a sacred space meant for worship and service to God. Allowing Tobiah to occupy a room meant for offerings compromised its sanctity. We must ensure that our places of worship remain dedicated to God’s purposes. Guarding Against CompromiseEliashib’s decision to accommodate Tobiah shows how easily compromise can infiltrate our spiritual lives. We must be vigilant in maintaining our commitment to God’s standards. Proper StewardshipThe room was meant for storing tithes and offerings, which were essential for the support of temple workers. This highlights the importance of proper stewardship and prioritizing God’s work in our financial decisions. Accountability in LeadershipEliashib’s actions remind us of the responsibility leaders have to uphold God’s laws and lead by example. Leaders must be held accountable to ensure they are guiding others in righteousness. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the presence of Tobiah in the temple reflect on the spiritual state of the people and their leaders at that time? 2. In what ways can we ensure that our places of worship remain dedicated to God’s purposes today? 3. How can we guard against spiritual compromise in our personal lives and communities? 4. What lessons can we learn from Nehemiah’s response to the misuse of the temple space? 5. How does the concept of stewardship in Nehemiah 13:5 relate to our financial giving and support of church ministries today? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 23:3-4This passage forbids Ammonites and Moabites from entering the assembly of the Lord, highlighting the inappropriateness of Tobiah's presence in the temple. Malachi 3:8-10Discusses the importance of tithes and offerings, emphasizing the need for proper stewardship and support of temple services. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17Paul speaks of believers as the temple of God, drawing a parallel to the need for purity and holiness in our lives, just as in the physical temple. People Artaxerxes, Balaam, Eliashib, Hanan, Israelites, Joiada, Levites, Mattaniah, Pedaiah, Sanballat, Shelemiah, Solomon, Tobiah, Tobijah, Tyrians, ZaccurPlaces Ammon, Ashdod, Babylon, Jerusalem, MoabTopics Aforetime, Articles, Cereal, Chamber, Commanded, Commandment, Contributions, Corn, Doorkeepers, Door-keepers, Formerly, Frankincense, Gatekeepers, Grain, Heave-offering, Heave-offerings, Incense, Kept, Laid, Large, Levites, Lifted, Maketh, Meal, Meal-offerings, Meat, Meat-offerings, Music-makers, Oblations, Offering, Offerings, Oil, Order, Perfume, Porters, Prepared, Prescribed, Present, Previously, Priests, Putting, Ready, Room, Singers, Store, Temple, Tenths, Tithe, Tithes, Tobi'ah, Utensils, Vessels, Wave, WineDictionary of Bible Themes Nehemiah 13:5 5324 gatekeepers
7386 incense Nehemiah 13:4-13 7266 tribes of Israel Library Sabbath Observance
'In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals. 16. There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem. 17. Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe True Manner of Keeping Holy the Lord's Day.
Now the sanctifying of the Sabbath consists in two things--First, In resting from all servile and common business pertaining to our natural life; Secondly, In consecrating that rest wholly to the service of God, and the use of those holy means which belong to our spiritual life. For the First. 1. The servile and common works from which we are to cease are, generally, all civil works, from the least to the greatest (Exod. xxxi. 12, 13, 15, &c.) More particularly-- First, From all the works of our …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Two Famous Versions of the Scriptures
[Illustration: (drop cap B) Samaritan Book of the Law] By the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea, on the coast of Egypt, lies Alexandria, a busy and prosperous city of to-day. You remember the great conqueror, Alexander, and how nation after nation had been forced to submit to him, until all the then-known world owned him for its emperor? He built this city, and called it after his own name. About a hundred years before the days of Antiochus (of whom we read in our last chapter) a company of Jews …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
The Median wars--The last native dynasties of Egypt--The Eastern world on the eve of the Macedonian conquest. [Drawn by Boudier, from one of the sarcophagi of Sidon, now in the Museum of St. Irene. The vignette, which is by Faucher-Gudin, represents the sitting cyno-cephalus of Nectanebo I., now in the Egyptian Museum at the Vatican.] Darius appears to have formed this project of conquest immediately after his first victories, when his initial attempts to institute satrapies had taught him not …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 9 The Formation of the Old Testament Canon
[Sidenote: Israel's literature at the beginning of the fourth century before Christ] Could we have studied the scriptures of the Israelitish race about 400 B.C., we should have classified them under four great divisions: (1) The prophetic writings, represented by the combined early Judean, Ephraimite, and late prophetic or Deuteronomic narratives, and their continuation in Samuel and Kings, together with the earlier and exilic prophecies; (2) the legal, represented by the majority of the Old Testament …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament Questions About the Nature and Perpetuity of the Seventh-Day Sabbath.
AND PROOF, THAT THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK IS THE TRUE CHRISTIAN SABBATH. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'The Son of man is lord also of the Sabbath day.' London: Printed for Nath, Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, 1685. EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. All our inquiries into divine commands are required to be made personally, solemnly, prayerful. To 'prove all things,' and 'hold fast' and obey 'that which is good,' is a precept, equally binding upon the clown, as it is upon the philosopher. Satisfied from our observations …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Jesus Heals on the Sabbath Day and Defends his Act.
(at Feast-Time at Jerusalem, Probably the Passover.) ^D John V. 1-47. ^d 1 After these things there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. [Though every feast in the Jewish calendar has found some one to advocate its claim to be this unnamed feast, yet the vast majority of commentators choose either the feast of Purim, which came in March, or the Passover, which came in April. Older commentators pretty unanimously regarded it as the Passover, while the later school favor the feast …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Ezra-Nehemiah
Some of the most complicated problems in Hebrew history as well as in the literary criticism of the Old Testament gather about the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Apart from these books, all that we know of the origin and early history of Judaism is inferential. They are our only historical sources for that period; and if in them we have, as we seem to have, authentic memoirs, fragmentary though they be, written by the two men who, more than any other, gave permanent shape and direction to Judaism, then …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Nehemiah 13:5 NIVNehemiah 13:5 NLTNehemiah 13:5 ESVNehemiah 13:5 NASBNehemiah 13:5 KJV
Nehemiah 13:5 Commentaries
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