Nehemiah 13

Nehemiah's Final Reforms

1 On that day a they read from the Book of Moses in the hearing of the people, and in it was found written b that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever come into the assembly of God, 2 because they had not met the children of Israel with bread and water, but c hired Balaam against them to curse them. d However, our God turned the curse into a blessing. 3 So it was, when they had heard the Law, e that they separated all the mixed multitude from Israel.

4 Now before this, f Eliashib the priest, having authority over the storerooms of the house of our God, was allied with g Tobiah. 5 And he had prepared for him a large room, h where previously they had stored the grain offerings, the frankincense, the articles, the tithes of grain, the new wine and oil, i which were commanded to be given to the Levites and singers and gatekeepers, and the offerings for the priests. 6 But during all this I was not in Jerusalem, j for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I had returned to the king. Then after certain days I obtained leave from the king, 7 and I came to Jerusalem and discovered the evil that Eliashib had done for Tobiah, in k preparing a room for him in the courts of the 1 house of God. 8 And it grieved me bitterly; therefore I threw all the household goods of Tobiah out of the room. 9 Then I commanded them to l cleanse the rooms; and I brought back into them the articles of the house of God, with the grain offering and the frankincense.

10 I also realized that the portions for the Levites had m not been given them; for each of the Levites and the singers who did the work had gone back to n his field. 11 So o I contended with the rulers, and said, p "Why is the house of God forsaken?" And I gathered them together and set them in their place. 12 q Then all Judah brought the tithe of the grain and the new wine and the oil to the storehouse. 13 r And I appointed as treasurers over the storehouse Shelemiah the priest and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah; and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah; for they were considered s faithful, and their task was to distribute to their brethren. 14 t Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for its services!

15 In those days I saw people in Judah treading wine presses u on the Sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and loading donkeys with wine, grapes, figs, and all kinds of burdens, v which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. And I warned them about the day on which they were selling provisions. 16 Men of Tyre dwelt there also, who brought in fish and all kinds of goods, and sold them on the Sabbath to the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem. 17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said to them, "What evil thing is this that you do, by which you profane the Sabbath day? 18 w "Did not your fathers do thus, and did not our God bring all this disaster on us and on this city? Yet you bring added wrath on Israel by profaning the Sabbath."

19 So it was, at the gates of Jerusalem, as it x began to be dark before the Sabbath, that I commanded the gates to be shut, and charged that they must not be opened till after the Sabbath. y Then I posted some of my servants at the gates, so that no burdens would be brought in on the Sabbath day. 20 Now the merchants and sellers of all kinds of 2 wares 3 lodged outside Jerusalem once or twice. 21 Then I warned them, and said to them, "Why do you spend the night 4 around the wall? If you do so again, I will lay hands on you!" From that time on they came no more on the Sabbath. 22 And I commanded the Levites that z they should cleanse themselves, and that they should go and guard the gates, to sanctify the Sabbath day.
Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of Your mercy!

23 In those days I also saw Jews who a had married women of b Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. 24 And half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod, and could not speak the language of Judah, but spoke according to the language of one or the other people. 25 So I c contended with them and 5 cursed them, struck some of them and pulled out their hair, and made them d swear by God, saying, "You shall not give your daughters as wives to their sons, nor take their daughters for your sons or yourselves. 26 e "Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? Yet among many nations there was no king like him, f who was beloved of his God; and God made him king over all Israel. g Nevertheless pagan women caused even him to sin. 27 "Should we then hear of your doing all this great evil, h transgressing against our God by marrying pagan women?"

28 And one of the sons i of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was a son-in-law of j Sanballat the Horonite; therefore I drove him from me. 29 k Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and l the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites.

30 m Thus I cleansed them of everything pagan. I also n assigned duties to the priests and the Levites, each to his service,

31 and to bringing o the wood offering and the firstfruits at appointed times.
p Remember me, O my God, for good!

  1. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 31:11
    When all Israel comes to appear before the LORD...
    Deuteronomy 31:12
    Gather the people together, men and women and l...
    2 Kings 23:2
    The king went up to the house of the LORD with ...
    Nehemiah 8:3
    Then he read from it in the open square that wa...
    Nehemiah 8:8
    So they read distinctly from the book, in the L...
    Nehemiah 9:3
    And they stood up in their place and read from ...
    Isaiah 34:16
    Search from the book of the LORD, and read: Not...
  2. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 23:3
    An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter the assembly of the LORD; even to the tenth generation none of his descendants shall enter the assembly of the LORD forever.
    Deuteronomy 23:4
    Because they did not meet you with bread and water on the road when you came out of Egypt, and because they hired against you Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse you.
  3. Cross References
    Numbers 22:5
    Then he sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor at Pethor, which is near the River in the land of the sons of his people, to call him, saying: "Look, a people has come from Egypt. See, they cover the face of the earth, and are settling next to me!
    Joshua 24:9
    Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose to make war against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you.
    Joshua 24:10
    But I would not listen to Balaam; therefore he continued to bless you. So I delivered you out of his hand.
  4. Cross References
    Numbers 23:1
    Then Balaam said to Balak, "Build seven altars for me here, and prepare for me here seven bulls and seven rams.
    Numbers 24:10
    Then Balak's anger was aroused against Balaam, and he struck his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, "I called you to curse my enemies, and look, you have bountifully blessed them these three times!
    Deuteronomy 23:5
    Nevertheless the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam, but the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loves you.
  5. Cross References
    Nehemiah 9:2
    Then those of Israelite lineage separated themselves from all foreigners; and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers.
    Nehemiah 10:28
    Now the rest of the people - the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the Nethinim, and all those who had separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the Law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, everyone who had knowledge and understanding -
  6. Cross References
    Nehemiah 12:10
    Jeshua begot Joiakim, Joiakim begot Eliashib, Eliashib begot Joiada.
  7. Cross References
    Nehemiah 2:10
    When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard of it, they were deeply disturbed that a man had come to seek the well-being of the children of Israel.
    Nehemiah 4:3
    Now Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, "Whatever they build, if even a fox goes up on it, he will break down their stone wall.
    Nehemiah 6:1
    Now it happened when Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall, and that there were no breaks left in it (though at that time I had not hung the doors in the gates).
  8. Cross References
    Nehemiah 12:44
    And at the same time some were appointed over the rooms of the storehouse for the offerings, the firstfruits, and the tithes, to gather into them from the fields of the cities the portions specified by the Law for the priests and Levites; for Judah rejoiced over the priests and Levites who ministered.
  9. Cross References
    Numbers 18:21
    Behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work which they perform, the work of the tabernacle of meeting.
    Numbers 18:24
    "For the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer up as a heave offering to the LORD, I have given to the Levites as an inheritance; therefore I have said to them, 'Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.'"
  10. Cross References
    Nehemiah 5:14 - 16
    Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year until the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes, twelve years, neither I nor my brothers ate the governor's provisions.
  11. Cross References
    Nehemiah 13:1
    On that day they read from the Book of Moses in the hearing of the people, and in it was found written that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever come into the assembly of God.
    Nehemiah 13:5
    And he had prepared for him a large room, where previously they had stored the grain offerings, the frankincense, the articles, the tithes of grain, the new wine and oil, which were commanded to be given to the Levites and singers and gatekeepers, and the offerings for the priests.
  12. Cross References
    2 Chronicles 29:5
    And said to them: "Hear me, Levites! Now sanctify yourselves, sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers, and carry out the rubbish from the holy place.
    2 Chronicles 29:15
    And they gathered their brethren, sanctified themselves, and went according to the commandment of the king, at the words of the LORD, to cleanse the house of the LORD.
    2 Chronicles 16:1
    In the thirty-sixth year of the reign of Asa, Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah and built Ramah, that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.
  13. Cross References
    Nehemiah 10:37
    To bring the firstfruits of our dough, our offerings, the fruit from all kinds of trees, the new wine and oil, to the priests, to the storerooms of the house of our God; and to bring the tithes of our land to the Levites, for the Levites should receive the tithes in all our farming communities.
    Malachi 3:8
    Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings.
  14. Cross References
    Numbers 35:2
    Command the children of Israel that they give the Levites cities to dwell in from the inheritance of their possession, and you shall also give the Levites common-land around the cities.
  15. Cross References
    Nehemiah 13:17
    Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said to them, "What evil thing is this that you do, by which you profane the Sabbath day?
    Nehemiah 13:25
    So I contended with them and cursed them, struck some of them and pulled out their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, "You shall not give your daughters as wives to their sons, nor take their daughters for your sons or yourselves.
  16. Cross References
    Nehemiah 10:39
    For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the grain, of the new wine and the oil, to the storerooms where the articles of the sanctuary are, where the priests who minister and the gatekeepers and the singers are; and we will not neglect the house of our God.
  17. Cross References
    Nehemiah 10:38
    And the priest, the descendant of Aaron, shall be with the Levites when the Levites receive tithes; and the Levites shall bring up a tenth of the tithes to the house of our God, to the rooms of the storehouse.
    Nehemiah 12:44
    And at the same time some were appointed over the rooms of the storehouse for the offerings, the firstfruits, and the tithes, to gather into them from the fields of the cities the portions specified by the Law for the priests and Levites; for Judah rejoiced over the priests and Levites who ministered.
  18. Cross References
    2 Chronicles 31:12
    Then they faithfully brought in the offerings, the tithes, and the dedicated things; Cononiah the Levite had charge of them, and Shimei his brother was the next.
  19. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 4:2
    Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.
  20. Cross References
    Nehemiah 5:19
    Remember me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.
    Nehemiah 13:22
    And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should go and guard the gates, to sanctify the Sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of Your mercy!
    Nehemiah 13:31
    And to bringing the wood offering and the firstfruits at appointed times. Remember me, O my God, for good!
  21. Cross References
    Exodus 20:10
    But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates.
  22. Cross References
    Nehemiah 10:31
    If the peoples of the land brought wares or any grain to sell on the Sabbath day, we would not buy it from them on the Sabbath, or on a holy day; and we would forego the seventh year's produce and the exacting of every debt.
    Jeremiah 17:21
    Thus says the LORD: "Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the Sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem.
  23. Cross References
    Ezra 9:13
    And after all that has come upon us for our evil deeds and for our great guilt, since You our God have punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and have given us such deliverance as this.
    Jeremiah 17:21
    Thus says the LORD: "Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the Sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem.
  24. Cross References
    Leviticus 23:32
    "It shall be to you a sabbath of solemn rest, and you shall afflict your souls; on the ninth day of the month at evening, from evening to evening, you shall celebrate your sabbath."
  25. Cross References
    Jeremiah 17:21
    Thus says the LORD: "Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the Sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem.
    Jeremiah 17:22
    Nor carry a burden out of your houses on the Sabbath day, nor do any work, but hallow the Sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers.
  26. Cross References
    1 Chronicles 15:12
    He said to them, "You are the heads of the fathers' houses of the Levites; sanctify yourselves, you and your brethren, that you may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel to the place I have prepared for it.
    Nehemiah 12:30
    Then the priests and Levites purified themselves, and purified the people, the gates, and the wall.
  27. Cross References
    Exodus 34:16
    And you take of his daughters for your sons, and his daughters play the harlot with their gods and make your sons play the harlot with their gods.
    Deuteronomy 7:3
    Nor shall you make marriages with them. You shall not give your daughter to their son, nor take their daughter for your son.
    Deuteronomy 7:4
    For they will turn your sons away from following Me, to serve other gods; so the anger of the LORD will be aroused against you and destroy you suddenly.
    Ezra 9:2
    "For they have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, so that the holy seed is mixed with the peoples of those lands. Indeed, the hand of the leaders and rulers has been foremost in this trespass."
    Nehemiah 10:30
    We would not give our daughters as wives to the peoples of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons.
  28. Cross References
    Nehemiah 4:7
    Now it happened, when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the walls of Jerusalem were being restored and the gaps were beginning to be closed, that they became very angry.
  29. Cross References
    Proverbs 28:4
    Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, But such as keep the law contend with them.
  30. Cross References
    Ezra 10:5
    Then Ezra arose, and made the leaders of the priests, the Levites, and all Israel swear an oath that they would do according to this word. So they swore an oath.
    Nehemiah 10:29
    These joined with their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse and 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 the LORD our Lord, and His ordinances and His statutes:
    Nehemiah 10:30
    We would not give our daughters as wives to the peoples of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons.
  31. Cross References
    1 Kings 11:1
    But King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites -
    1 Kings 11:2
    From the nations of whom the LORD had said to the children of Israel, "You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods." Solomon clung to these in love.
  32. Cross References
    2 Samuel 12:24
    Then David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in to her and lay with her. So she bore a son, and he called his name Solomon. Now the LORD loved him.
    2 Samuel 12:25
    And He sent word by the hand of Nathan the prophet: So he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.
  33. Cross References
    1 Kings 11:4 - 8
    For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the LORD his God, as was the heart of his father David.
  34. Cross References
    Ezra 10:2
    And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, spoke up and said to Ezra, "We have trespassed against our God, and have taken pagan wives from the peoples of the land; yet now there is hope in Israel in spite of this.
    Nehemiah 13:23
    In those days I also saw Jews who had married women of Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab.
  35. Cross References
    Nehemiah 12:10
    Jeshua begot Joiakim, Joiakim begot Eliashib, Eliashib begot Joiada.
    Nehemiah 12:12
    Now in the days of Joiakim, the priests, the heads of the fathers' houses were: of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah.
  36. Cross References
    Nehemiah 4:1
    But it so happened, when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, that he was furious and very indignant, and mocked the Jews.
    Nehemiah 4:7
    Now it happened, when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the walls of Jerusalem were being restored and the gaps were beginning to be closed, that they became very angry.
    Nehemiah 6:1
    Now it happened when Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall, and that there were no breaks left in it (though at that time I had not hung the doors in the gates).
    Nehemiah 6:2
    That Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, "Come, let us meet together among the villages in the plain of Ono." But they thought to do me harm.
  37. Cross References
    Nehemiah 6:14
    My God, remember Tobiah and Sanballat, according to these their works, and the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who would have made me afraid.
  38. Cross References
    Malachi 2:4
    Then you shall know that I have sent this commandment to you, That My covenant with Levi may continue," Says the LORD of hosts.
    Malachi 2:11
    Judah has dealt treacherously, And an abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem, For Judah has profaned The LORD's holy institution which He loves: He has married the daughter of a foreign god.
    Malachi 2:12
    May the LORD cut off from the tents of Jacob The man who does this, being awake and aware, Yet who brings an offering to the LORD of hosts!
  39. Cross References
    Nehemiah 10:30
    We would not give our daughters as wives to the peoples of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons.
  40. Cross References
    Nehemiah 12:1
    Now these are the priests and the Levites who came up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra.
  41. Cross References
    Nehemiah 10:34
    We cast lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people, for bringing the wood offering into the house of our God, according to our fathers' houses, at the appointed times year by year, to burn on the altar of the LORD our God as it is written in the Law.
  42. Cross References
    Nehemiah 13:14
    Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for its services!
    Nehemiah 13:22
    And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should go and guard the gates, to sanctify the Sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of Your mercy!
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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