Nehemiah10
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1Now those that sealed were: Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hacaliah, and Zedekiah,
2Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah,
3Pashhur, Amariah, Malchijah,
4Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch,
5Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah,
6Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch,
7Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin,
8Maaziah, Bilgai, Shemaiah; these were the priests.
9And the Levites: namely, Jeshua the son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel;
10and their brethren, Shebaniah, Hodiah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan,
11Mica, Rehob, Hashabiah,
12Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah,
13Hodiah, Bani, Beninu.
14The chiefs of the people: Parosh, Pahath-moab, Elam, Zattu, Bani,
15Bunni, Azgad, Bebai,
16Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,
17Ater, Hezekiah, Azzur,
18Hodiah, Hashum, Bezai,
19Hariph, Anathoth, Nobai,
20Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir,
21Meshezabel, Zadok, Jaddua,
22Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah,
23Hoshea, Hananiah, Hasshub,
24Hallohesh, Pilha, Shobek,
25Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah,
26and Ahiah, Hanan, Anan,
27Malluch, Harim, Baanah.
28And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters, the singers, the Nethinim, and all they that had separated themselves from the peoples of the lands unto the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every one that had knowledge, and understanding;
29they clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God’s law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of Jehovah our Lord, and his ordinances and his statutes;
30and that we would not give our daughters unto the peoples of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons;
31and if the peoples of the land bring wares or any grain on the sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy of them on the sabbath, or on a holy day; and that we would forego the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt.
32Also we made ordinances for us, to charge ourselves yearly with the third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God;
33for the showbread, and for the continual meal-offering, and for the continual burnt-offering, for the sabbaths, for the new moons, for the set feasts, and for the holy things, and for the sin-offerings to make atonement for Israel, and for all the work of the house of our God.
34And we cast lots, the priests, the Levites, and the people, for the wood-offering, to bring it into the house of our God, according to our fathers’ houses, at times appointed, year by year, to burn upon the altar of Jehovah our God, as it is written in the law;
35and to bring the first-fruits of our ground, and the first-fruits of all fruit of all manner of trees, year by year, unto the house of Jehovah;
36also the first-born of our sons, and of our cattle, as it is written in the law, and the firstlings of our herds and of our flocks, to bring to the house of our God, unto the priests that minister in the house of our God;
37and that we should bring the first-fruits of our dough, and our heave-offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, the new wine and the oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites; for they, the Levites, take the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.
38And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure-house.
39For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the heave-offering of the grain, of the new wine, and of the oil, unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Nehemiah 10.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The covenant, Those who signed it. (1–31). Their engagement to sacred rites. (32–39).
vv1-31
Conversion is separating from the course and custom of this world, devoting ourselves to the conduct directed by the word of God. When we bind ourselves to do the commandments of God, it is to do all his commandments, and to look to him as the Lord, and our Lord.
vv32-39
Having covenanted against the sins of which they had been guilty, they obliged themselves to observe the duties they had neglected. We must not only cease to do evil, but learn to do well. Let not any people expect the blessing of God, unless they keep up public worship. It is likely to go well with our houses, when care is taken that the work of God's house goes on well. When every one helps, and every one gives, though but little, toward a good work, the whole will come to be a large sum. We must do what we can in works of piety and charity; and whatever state we are placed in, cheerfully perform our duty to God, which will be the surest way to ease and liberty. As the ordinances of God are the appointed means of support to our souls, the believer will not grudge the expense; yet most people leave their souls to starve.
Key Words
עַל: above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
חָתַם: to close up; especially to seal
נְחֶמְיָה: Nechemjah, the name of three Israelites
תִּרְשָׁתָא: Tirshatha, the title of a Persian deputy or governor
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
חֲכַלְיָה: Chakaljah, an Israelite
צִדְקִיָּה: Tsidkijah, the name of six Israelites
שְׂרָיָה: Serajah, the name of nine Israelites
עֲזַרְיָה: Azarjah, the name of nineteen Israelites
יִרְמְיָה: Jirmejah, the name of eight or nine Israelites
Cross References
Nehemiah 10Direct connection to the sealing of the covenant mentioned in the immediately preceding verse.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
The Mosaic command to let the land rest and lie still every seventh year.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The law concerning the release and remission of debts every seventh year.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The legal basis for the sanctuary tax, which the covenant adjusts to a third-shekel.
Supported by JFB
The commandment for the Levites to offer up a tenth of their tithes to the priests.
Supported by JFB
The law prohibiting intermarriage with the people of the land.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Nehemiah's subsequent enforcement of this very covenant pledge against Sabbath trading.
Supported by JFB
The commandment to bring the best of the firstfruits of oil, wine, and wheat.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The foundational command to dedicate the firstborn of both man and beast.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The tragic neglect and forsaking of God's house that Nehemiah had to address later.
Supported by JFB
The pattern of separating from the peoples of the lands for God's law.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The practice of entering into an oath and a curse to keep God's covenant.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The specific prescription for the preparation of the shewbread.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The laws concerning the continual burnt offering and daily meat offerings.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The temple tax paid by Jesus, demonstrating the continuation of this custom.
Supported by Matthew Poole