Neemias 13
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Neemias 13
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS A. This chapter illustrates how quickly things can deteriorate. Apparently Nehemiah had returned to the Persian court for a period of time. B. Note the problems: 1. violations of the holiness of the temple, Neh. 13:4-9 2. lack of support promised to the Levites, Neh. 13:10-14 3. violation of Sabbath requirements, Neh. 13:15-22 4. return to mixed marriages, Neh. 13:1-3,23-29 C. Note Nehemiah's Actions: 1. threw Tobiah out, Neh. 13:8 and cleansed the temple storerooms, Neh. 13:9 2. restored the Levites to their posts, Neh. 13:11 by charging the population to tithe again, Neh. 13:12 3. brought in honest stewards from different areas of social life to administer the tithes, Neh. 13:13 4. stopped Sabbath trading: a. confronted the nobles, Neh. 13:17 b. closed the gates at dusk, Neh. 13:19 c. warned the traders themselves, Neh. 13:21 d. appointed Levitical city gate keepers, Neh. 13:22 5. stopped the inter-religious marriages by force, Neh. 13:25 6. excommunicated part of the family of the high priest, Neh. 13:28 D. This chapter seems to end the book on a negative note, but in reality it is a note of restoration and purification.
Neemias 13:1-3
13:1 "they read aloud from the book of Moses" The VERB (BDB 894, KB 1128) is a Niphal PERFECT. Whether this is an informal reading like Neh. 8:1-8 or a specifically called for reading like Deut. 31:11 the Feast of Tabernacles, is uncertain (cf. Neh. 8:4; 9:3). These two post-exilic books are characterized by a reverence and desire for the word of God. They hear it and they respond in repentance and faith. The trend is set! They are becoming people of the book! At this point the book was about a thousand years old (i.e., depending on the date of the Exodus), but it was still relevant and crucial for their relationship with YHWH. Cultures change but revelation does not! Special Topic: Moses' Authorship of the Pentateuch ▣ "there was found written in it that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the assembly of God" This is a direct reference to Deut. 23:3-6, which shows that the Mosaic law was available and well known. This sounds so racist to us, but two things must be noted. These people had to restore a pure people unaffected by Canaanite or pagan culture and myths. Ruth, David's ancestor, was from Moab and she is in the line of the Messiah, as is Rachel the Canaanite prostitute! Special Topic: Racism Special Topic: Forever ('olam) ▣ "the assembly of God" This is the only place in the OT where the word for assembly, Qahal (BDB 874), and the word Elohim (BDB 43) are placed together. This term Qahal is what the translators of the Septuagint replace with ecclesia, which is the early church's self-chosen title. This shows they were identifying themselves with the Old Testament people of God. Special Topic: Church (ekklesia) 13:2 "Balaam" The account of Moab and Ammon's (who were relatives of the Jews, cf. Gen. 19:30-38) treachery is found in Num. 22:3-11. Balaam seems to be a spokesperson for God (cf. Num. 22:8-13,18,20; 23:4-5,12,16; 24:1-2). He honored God, but sought his own personal interest. This whole account is a strange and bizarre event! God's prophet hurts Israel God says "go," but is angry when he does a talking donkey Israel's sudden turn to fertility worship ▣ "However, our God turned the curse into a blessing" This is a major theological affirmation and worldview. This has been the history of mankind from Genesis 3. This role reversal concept is so clearly seen in Abraham, Gen. 15:12-21 Joseph, Gen. 45:1-15 Moses, Exod. 2 One of the best popular books I have ever read that was such a blessing to my life is Hannah Whithall Smith's The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life. 13:3 NASB, TEV, NJB "foreigners" "the mixed multitude" "those of foreign descent" The term (BDB 786 I) as used in this text, seems to imply a racism on God's part, but this very same term is used in Exod. 12:38 (see note online) to describe the believing Egyptians who accompanied the Israelites out of Egypt. The term, although literally referring to descent, is used in a religious sense. In Exodus 12 it is used in a positive sense and here in a negative sense.
Neemias 13:4-9
13:4 "Eliashib the priest" He will become the High Priest (cf. Neh. 3:1). The books of Ezra and Nehemiah are not in chronological order. Themes and patterns from the past, that moderns do not understand, mold the outline of these books. Events seem out of place to us who are accustomed to sequential, cause and effect, history. Their way of doing history was not bad, but different (selective and theological), as are the Gospels. ▣ "over the chambers of the house of our God" There were many storage rooms in the temple, some along the sides of the main shrine and others in the gates (cf. Neh. 12:44). These rooms were to store the tithes of the Levites (cf. Neh. 13:5) and the necessities of the cultus rituals. They also housed the money sent from Persia. In this case they converted one of the large rooms into a personal residence for Tobiah (cf. Neh. 13:5). "being related" "being allied" "who was related" "had for a long time been on good terms" "who was close to" The ADJECTIVE (BDB 898) means "near." It can mean (1) close neighbors (cf. 1 Chr. 12:40) or (2) relatives (cf. Lev. 21:2-3; 25:25; Num. 27:11; Ruth 2:20. ▣ "Tobiah" Tobiah (BDB 375, "YHWH is my good") was an Ammonite who opposed Nehemiah (cf. Neh. 2:10,19; 4:3,17; 6:1,12,14,19; 13:4,7,8). As Ezra and Nehemiah resisted the inroads of foreigners in Israel's life, it was inevitable that foreigners of influence and ambition would have places of leadership in Nehemiah's absence and would be hostile to the return to a Mosaic law which excluded them (cf. Neh. 13:3), but not all, as Neh. 13:4-9 make plain. 13:5 "grain offerings" This was a special flour used to make the cakes for the daily offering. ▣ "frankincense" This (BDB 526 I) was a white tree resin from southern Arabia used in the incense which was placed daily in the Holy Place (cf. Exod. 30:34). ▣ "the contributions for the priests" The Jews tithed to the Levites (cf. Neh. 10:38); the Levites tithed to the priests (cf. Neh. 10:38). 13:6 Nehemiah served as governor from 445 to 433 B.C. At that time he returned to the court of Artaxerxes I where he stayed for an indefinite period of time. It was long enough for the Jews to relapse from his reform efforts. Artaxerxes is called king of Babylon. This seems unusual to us because he was king of Persia and yet, Cyrus, Cambyses, and Darius I are also referred to as the king of Babylon. 13:7 "in the courts of the house of God" Exactly what court this refers to is uncertain, but it was unlawful for anyone but Levites to be in this temple area. 13:8 Nehemiah was not a gentle man as was Ezra. His anger was both personal and religious. To him God's house was being violated by an evil man.
Neemias 13:10-14
13:10 Not only was Tobiah allowed to reside in the temple precincts, but the Levites had not been distributed their allotted portions (cf. Num. 18:21-32; Neh. 10:37). ▣ "each to his own field" The Levites were allowed a small portion of land next to the Levitical cities (cf. Numbers 35 and Joshua 21) to supplement what they received from the people (cf. Num. 35:4; Jos. 21:3). 13:11 NASB, TEV, NJB "reprimanded" "contended" "remonstrated" This Hebrew VERB (BDB 936, KB 1224, Qal IMPERFECT) means "a dispute," "a controversy," or "a legal court case." It is used in Neh. 5:7; 13:11, 17, 25. It shows the seriousness of these violations. ▣ "Then I gathered them and restored them to their posts" "Them" must refer to the Levites who had left the temple service to farm their own small plots of land (cf. Neh. 13:10). 13:13 "in charge of the storehouse I appointed" This verse has been used by some to say that Ezra came after Nehemiah because in Ezra 8:33 there were already four treasurers appointed. We know so little about this period that this cannot be used as evidence for a theory of the historical relationship between Nehemiah and Ezra. Ezra and Nehemiah are mentioned together in Neh. 12:26,36,38. The VERB and NOUN are from the same root (BDB 69), which means "treasure," "treasury," or "store," "storehouse." Edwin Yamauchi, Expositor's Bible Commentary, vol. 4, p. 362, tries to catch the word play by "I made treasurers over the treasuries." NASB, NJB "they were considered reliable" NKJV, NRSV "they were considered faithful" "I could trust these men in being honest" The key term (BDB 52) is "faithful," which becomes the term "amen." Special Topic: Amen Special Topic: Believe, Trust, Faith, and Faithfulness in the OT 13:14 "Remember me for this, O my God" The VERB (BDB 269, KB 269, Qal IMPERATIVE) is used in the sense of supplication, not command. Nehemiah's devotion to YHWH can be clearly seen in his numerous prayers throughout the book (e.g., Neh. 5:19; 13:22,31). His leadership skills were derived from his intimate faith in YHWH. ▣ "loyal deeds" Here Nehemiah uses the term hesed to describe his own acts (cf. 2 Chr. 32:32, where it applies to Hezekiah's acts). However, in Neh. 13:22 he uses the term hesed to describe God's loyal covenant acts. Special Topic: Lovingkindness (Hesed)
Neemias 13:15-18
13:15 "on the sabbath" From Exod. 31:14 and Jer. 17:19-27, we see the seriousness of the Sabbath-breaking practices which originally were part of the apathy and idolatry that caused the exile! In this short space of Nehemiah's return to the Persian court, the offensives against God's law had reappeared. In the past it was non-Jews who sold produce on the Sabbath (cf. Neh. 10:31; 11:16), but now it was the Jews themselves! They flaunted it, even in Jerusalem (cf. Neh. 13:16). Special Topic: Sabbath (OT) 13:16 "Also the men of Tyre" See Ezekiel 27:12-36 and 28:16. These merchants coming on the Sabbath was first mentioned in Neh. 10:31. 13:17 "profaning the sabbath day" This VERB (BDB 320 III, KB 319, Piel PERFECT) means "to pollute," "to defile." It is used often in connection with the Sabbath (cf. Exod. 31:14; Isa. 56:2,6; Ezek. 20:13,16,21,24; 22:8; 23:38). The Mosaic covenant promised blessing for obedience and cursing for disobedience (cf. Deuteronomy 27-29). The first covenant depended on human performance, but the reality of Genesis 3 doomed it from the start. It thereby forms the need for a new covenant based on YHWH's character and the Messiah's performance. These Jews should have known and done better: the recent experience of the exile the regular reading of the word of God the godly leadership of Ezra and Nehemiah 13:18 YHWH's covenant with all of its blessings was also a great responsibility. Not only for the Israelites, but for the eternal redemptive purposes of God. The Israelites had reaped the consequences of disobedience time and time again (cf. Nehemiah 9), but still each generation rebelled. Herein is the problem of the Mosaic covenant. It depended on human performance which was affected by the fall of Genesis 3. Special Topic: The Fall
Neemias 13:19-22
13:19 Nehemiah uses his official governmental authority to close the city on the Sabbath. Godly leadership can affect society. 13:20 "the traders and merchants of every kind of merchandise spent the night outside Jerusalem" The reason that Nehemiah would not allow this was because of the temptation for the citizens to walk outside and purchase goods on the Sabbath. Also, the visible reminder of their presence caused problems. 13:22 "the Levites. . .as gatekeepers" The city as a whole was considered holy to Nehemiah, and he appointed Levites to guard the city gates (cf. Neh. 7:1). ▣ "For this also remember me, O my God" This is another of Nehemiah's prayers for God to remember his covenant deeds and leadership (e.g., Neh. 13:14,22,31; 5:19). This is in contrast to Nehemiah's prayers for God to remember those who violated His covenant (cf. Neh. 6:14; 13:29). The paradox of biblical faith is clearly seen in this verse. Nehemiah asked God to remember (BDB 209, Qal IMPERATIVE) his deeds, but he based the request on the covenant faithfulness (hesed, BDB 338) of God! God's relationship with fallen humanity is both relational and obedient (cf. Luke 6:46). ▣ "Your lovingkindness" See Special Topic: Lovingkindness (Hesed).
Neemias 13:23-29
13:23 "In those days I saw that the Jews had married women" There is some problem as to the relationship between Ezra 9 and 10 and Nehemiah 10. We cannot answer all of the questions about this, but it is obvious that it was a recurring problem which was not solved by either leader. ▣ "Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab" Not only were these pagan people, but they were enemies of the returning Jews. Their inclusion in the people of God was mandated by Moses (cf. Neh. 13:1). 13:24 "As for their children, half spoke in the language of Ashdod" The Hebrew idiom is difficult to translate. It is not certain if they spoke a mixture of one language and the other or simply spoke the other, but it does show the major problem of these mixed marriages was that the education of the children was being done by their pagan mothers. This corrupted the purity of the monotheism of YHWH. These children could not read nor understand God's word. ▣ "the language of Judah" This must refer to Hebrew (cf. 2 Chr. 32:18). The other people groups in the Persian Province Beyond the River probably spoke a dialect of Aramaic (although it is possible they retained a working knowledge of the ancient tribal language) as did most Jews. The need for a knowledge of Hebrew (learned in synagogue school) was to be able to read and understand God's word. 13:25 This shows the emotional intensity and the seriousness of their sin ("cursed" [BDB 886, KB 1103, Piel IMPERFECT]; "struck" [BDB 645, KB 697, Hiphil IMPERFECT]; "pulled out their hair" [BDB 595, KB 634, Qal IMPERFECT]; "made them swear" [BDB 989, KB 1396, Hiphil IMPERFECT]; also in Neh. 13:28, "drove them away" [BDB 137, Hiphil IMPERFECT]). ▣ "I contended with them" The VERB (BDB 936, KB 1224, Qal IMPERFECT) is used several times in this context (cf. Neh. 13:11,17,25; and 5:7). 13:26 See the tragic account in 1 Kings 11. 13:27 "by acting unfaithfully against our God" This term "unfaithfully" (BDB 591, KB 612, Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT) is also used in Ezra 10:2,10 to describe Jews marrying pagan women. In Arabic this same root is used for treason, treachery, and betrayal. God is the victim! This term speaks of intimate, personal relationships (cf. Num. 5:11-31, esp. Neh. 13:12,27). This is the very VERB used to describe Moses' act of rebellion in striking the rock (cf. Num. 20:10-12; 27:12-14). 13:28 "Even one of the sons of Joiada" This shows that the family of the high priest was involved in these inter-racial marriages even to the point of marrying the daughter of Sanballat, the enemy of the people of God. Neh. 13:29 records Nehemiah's prayer/curse! 13:29 "Remember them" Another prayer of Nehemiah, but this one is a curse!
Neemias 13:30-31
13:30-31 Nehemiah restored the order established before he left (cf. Neh. 13:11). Jack Finegan, Light From the Ancient Past, vol. 11, thinks that when Nehemiah sent away Manasseh, the son of Joiada, grandson of Eliashub, the high priest, that he started the Samaritan schism and built the rival temple on Mt. Gerizim (p. 310). 13:31 "Remember me, O my God" This book is characterized by Nehemiah's prayers for God to remember His word ‒ Neh. 1:8 His servant, Nehemiah ‒ Neh. 5:19; 13:14,22,31 His enemies ‒ Neh. 6:14; 13:29