Bible Commentaries
Nehemiah 13

Introduction

Overview

Nehemiah 13:1, Upon the reading of the law, separation is made from the mixed multitude; Nehemiah 13:4, Nehemiah, at his return, causes the chambers to be cleansed; Nehemiah 13:10, He reforms the offices in the house of God; Nehemiah 13:15, the violation of the sabbath; Nehemiah 13:23, and the marriages with the strange wives.

Verse 1

that day: Some suppose that the events recorded in these verses took place several years after those related in the preceding chapter, while Nehemiah was absent at the Persian court; but the introductory language, on that day, seems rather to imply that they occurred immediately, or at least about that time.

they read: Heb. there was read, Nehemiah 8:3-8, Nehemiah 9:3, Deuteronomy 31:11, Deuteronomy 31:12, 2 Kings 23:2, Isaiah 34:16, Luke 4:16-19, Luke 10:26, Acts 13:15, Acts 15:21

audience: Heb. ears

the Ammonite: Nehemiah 13:23, Deuteronomy 23:3-5, Isaiah 15:1 - Isaiah 16:14, Jeremiah 48:1-47, Ezekiel 25:1-11, Amos 2:1-3

Moabite: Nehemiah 2:10, Nehemiah 2:19, Nehemiah 4:3, Psalms 83:7-9, Jeremiah 49:1-6, Amos 1:13-15

Reciprocal: Genesis 19:38 - children Genesis 35:12 - to Numbers 22:5 - sent Deuteronomy 23:1 - shall not enter Joshua 8:31 - as it is Joshua 8:34 - he read 2 Samuel 10:2 - show kindness 2 Kings 22:10 - Shaphan 1 Chronicles 19:2 - the children 2 Chronicles 12:13 - an Ammonitess Ezra 7:25 - teach ye Ezra 9:1 - Ammonites Ezra 10:3 - let it Nehemiah 13:7 - in preparing Lamentations 1:10 - whom 2 Corinthians 6:14 - unequally

Verse 2

Because: Matthew 25:40

hired Balaam: Numbers 22:3-6, Joshua 24:9, Joshua 24:10

our God: Numbers 23:8-11, Numbers 23:18, Numbers 24:5-10, Deuteronomy 23:5, Psalms 109:28, Micah 6:5

Reciprocal: Numbers 22:5 - sent Numbers 22:6 - curse me Numbers 24:10 - I called Deuteronomy 23:3 - Ammonite Deuteronomy 23:4 - because they hired Proverbs 26:2 - so Jeremiah 49:1 - their king

Verse 3

when they: Psalms 19:7-11, Psalms 119:9, Psalms 119:11, Proverbs 6:23, Romans 3:20

that they: Nehemiah 9:2, Nehemiah 10:28, Ezra 10:11, James 1:27

the mixed: Exodus 12:38, Numbers 11:4

Reciprocal: Ezra 9:1 - have not separated Ezra 9:2 - mingled Ezra 10:8 - himself separated

Verse 4

Eliashib: Nehemiah 13:7, Nehemiah 12:10

having the oversight of: Heb. being set over, Nehemiah 12:44

allied: Nehemiah 13:28, Nehemiah 6:17, Nehemiah 6:18

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 9:28 - the charge 1 Chronicles 23:28 - for the service Ezra 9:2 - the hand Nehemiah 3:20 - Eliashib Job 31:34 - the contempt Jeremiah 41:10 - to the Malachi 3:8 - In

Verse 5

a great: Nehemiah 10:38, Nehemiah 12:44, 2 Chronicles 34:11

which was commanded to be given to the: Heb. the commandment of the, Numbers 18:21-24

Reciprocal: Exodus 30:34 - frankincense Leviticus 27:30 - General Numbers 1:50 - thou shalt 1 Kings 6:5 - built 1 Chronicles 9:26 - chambers 1 Chronicles 9:28 - the charge 1 Chronicles 23:28 - for the service 1 Chronicles 28:11 - upper chambers 2 Chronicles 31:11 - chambers Ezra 10:6 - the chamber Nehemiah 10:37 - to the chambers Nehemiah 13:7 - in preparing Nehemiah 13:28 - son in law Proverbs 24:4 - General Jeremiah 35:2 - into one Ezekiel 40:29 - the little Ezekiel 42:13 - the most holy Malachi 3:10 - the storehouse

Verse 6

But: Exodus 32:1, 2 Chronicles 24:17, 2 Chronicles 24:18, Matthew 13:25

was: Nehemiah came to Jerusalem in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes, and remained there till the thirty-second, being twelve years; then returned to Babylon; and probably, after about a year, got leave to revisit his brethren, and found matters as here stated.

the two: Nehemiah 2:1, Nehemiah 5:14

after certain days: Heb. at the end of days, Nehemiah 2:5, Nehemiah 2:6

obtained I: or, I earnestly requested

Reciprocal: Genesis 4:3 - in process of time 2 Chronicles 18:2 - after certain years

Verse 7

understood: Ezra 9:1, 1 Corinthians 1:11

in preparing: Nehemiah 13:1, Nehemiah 13:5, Lamentations 1:10, Matthew 21:12, Matthew 21:13, Acts 21:28, Acts 21:29

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 12:10 - Eliashib Nehemiah 13:4 - Eliashib

Verse 8

it grieved: Ezra 9:3, Ezra 9:4, Ezra 10:1, Psalms 69:9

I cast: Mark 11:15-17, John 2:13-17

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 5:6 - General Proverbs 24:25 - them Proverbs 28:4 - but Ecclesiastes 9:10 - thy hand Jeremiah 35:2 - into one Mark 3:5 - grieved

Verse 9

they cleansed: Nehemiah 12:45, 2 Chronicles 29:5, 2 Chronicles 29:15-19

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 23:28 - for the service 2 Chronicles 14:4 - commanded Nehemiah 10:37 - to the chambers Jeremiah 35:2 - into one Ezekiel 40:29 - the little

Verse 10

the portions: Nehemiah 10:37, Nehemiah 12:47, Malachi 1:6-14, Malachi 3:8, 1 Timothy 5:17, 1 Timothy 5:18

to his field: Numbers 35:2

Reciprocal: Genesis 47:22 - for the priests Numbers 1:50 - thou shalt Judges 17:8 - departed 2 Chronicles 31:4 - that they might Nehemiah 10:39 - we will not Malachi 3:10 - the storehouse Hebrews 7:5 - to take

Verse 11

contended: Nehemiah 13:17, Nehemiah 13:25, Nehemiah 5:6-13, Job 31:34, Proverbs 28:4

Why is the house: Nehemiah 10:39, 1 Samuel 2:17, Malachi 3:8-11

place: Heb. standing

Reciprocal: Judges 17:8 - departed

Verse 12

brought: Nehemiah 10:37-39, Nehemiah 12:44, Leviticus 27:30, Numbers 18:20-26, Deuteronomy 14:22

treasuries: or, storehouses, Malachi 3:10

Reciprocal: Genesis 14:20 - tithes Numbers 18:21 - the tenth 2 Chronicles 31:5 - came abroad 2 Chronicles 31:11 - chambers Nehemiah 10:38 - the treasure house

Verse 13

I made: Nehemiah 12:44, 2 Chronicles 31:12-15

Shelemiah: Nehemiah 3:30

Pedaiah: Nehemiah 8:4

next to them: Heb. at their hand

Zaccur: Nehemiah 10:12

Mattaniah: Nehemiah 11:22, Nehemiah 12:35

counted: Nehemiah 7:2, 2 Kings 12:15, 2 Kings 22:7, Luke 12:42, Luke 16:10-12, Acts 6:3, 1 Corinthians 4:2, 1 Timothy 1:12, 1 Timothy 3:10

their office: Heb. it was upon them

to distribute: Acts 4:35, Acts 6:1

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 31:11 - chambers 2 Chronicles 31:14 - to distribute Ezra 2:33 - Hadid Nehemiah 10:38 - the treasure house Luke 21:1 - the treasury

Verse 14

Remember me: Nehemiah 13:22, Nehemiah 13:31, Nehemiah 5:19, Psalms 122:6-9, Hebrews 6:10, Revelation 3:5

wipe not: If thou wert strict to mark what is done amiss, even my good deeds must be wiped out: but, Lord, remember me in thy mercy, and let my upright conduct be acceptable to Thee! By some, Nehemiah has been thought to deal too much with God on the principle of merit. That he wished God to remember him for good is sufficiently evident, and who does not wish the same? But that he expected heaven for his good deeds does not appear; for it is perfectly clear that he expected nothing from God but through the greatness of his mercy. Nehemiah 13:22

good deeds: Heb. kindnesses

house: 1 Chronicles 29:3, 2 Chronicles 24:16, 2 Chronicles 31:20, 2 Chronicles 31:21, Ezra 7:20, Ezra 7:24, Ezra 7:27, Psalms 122:6-9

offices: or, observations

Reciprocal: Genesis 8:1 - God remembered Genesis 19:29 - that God Leviticus 2:2 - the memorial 1 Samuel 26:23 - render 2 Kings 20:3 - remember Psalms 26:11 - and Psalms 106:4 - Remember Psalms 122:9 - I will seek Isaiah 38:3 - Remember 2 Timothy 1:16 - Lord

Verse 15

treading wine: Exodus 20:8-11, Exodus 34:21, Exodus 35:2, Isaiah 58:13, Ezekiel 20:13

burdens: Nehemiah 10:31, Numbers 15:32-36, Jeremiah 17:21, Jeremiah 17:22, Jeremiah 17:24, Jeremiah 17:27

I testified: Nehemiah 13:21, Nehemiah 9:29, Deuteronomy 8:19, 2 Chronicles 24:19, Psalms 50:7, Jeremiah 42:19, Micah 6:3, Acts 2:40, Acts 20:21, Galatians 5:3, Ephesians 4:17, 1 Thessalonians 4:6, Revelation 22:18, Revelation 22:19

Reciprocal: Genesis 2:3 - blessed Exodus 20:10 - thy stranger Deuteronomy 5:14 - thy stranger Job 39:12 - he Isaiah 5:2 - a winepress Ezekiel 20:20 - General Amos 8:5 - and the Mark 2:24 - that John 5:10 - it is not 2 Corinthians 11:29 - and I burn

Verse 16

men of Tyre: Exodus 23:12, Deuteronomy 5:14

Verse 17

I contended: Nehemiah 13:11, Nehemiah 13:25, Nehemiah 5:7, Psalms 82:1, Psalms 82:2, Proverbs 28:4, Isaiah 1:10, Jeremiah 5:5, Jeremiah 13:18, Jeremiah 22:2-23, Micah 3:1, Micah 3:9

Reciprocal: Ezra 9:2 - the hand Proverbs 24:25 - them Isaiah 56:2 - keepeth the Ezekiel 23:38 - and have Matthew 12:5 - profane

Verse 18

Did not your: Ezra 9:13-15, Jeremiah 17:21-23, Jeremiah 17:27, Jeremiah 44:9, Jeremiah 44:22, Ezekiel 23:8, Ezekiel 23:26, Zechariah 1:4-6

ye bring more: Leviticus 26:18, Leviticus 26:28, Numbers 32:14, Joshua 22:17, Joshua 22:18

Reciprocal: Jeremiah 44:23 - therefore Ezekiel 23:38 - and have Ezekiel 31:14 - the end

Verse 19

began to be: Leviticus 23:22

I commanded: Nehemiah 7:3, Exodus 31:14-17, Jeremiah 17:19-22

Reciprocal: Joshua 2:5 - of shutting 1 Samuel 9:17 - reign over 2 Chronicles 14:4 - commanded Isaiah 60:11 - thy gates

Verse 21

I testified: Nehemiah 13:15

about the wall: Heb. before the wall

I will lay: Ezra 7:26, Romans 13:3, Romans 13:4, 1 Peter 2:14

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 5:14 - thy stranger John 11:53 - from

Verse 22

I commanded: Nehemiah 7:64, Nehemiah 7:65, Nehemiah 12:30, 2 Kings 23:4, 1 Chronicles 15:12-14, 2 Chronicles 29:4, 2 Chronicles 29:5, 2 Chronicles 29:24, 2 Chronicles 29:27, 2 Chronicles 29:30, Isaiah 49:23

cleanse: Nehemiah 12:10

sanctify: Deuteronomy 5:12

Remember: Nehemiah 13:14, Nehemiah 13:31, Nehemiah 5:19, Psalms 132:1-5, Isaiah 38:3, 2 Corinthians 1:12, 2 Timothy 4:7, 2 Timothy 4:8

spare me: Psalms 25:6, Psalms 25:7, Psalms 51:1, Psalms 130:3, Psalms 130:4, Psalms 130:7, Psalms 143:1, Psalms 143:2

greatness: or, multitude, Psalms 5:7, Isaiah 55:7

Reciprocal: Genesis 8:1 - God remembered Genesis 19:29 - that God Leviticus 2:2 - the memorial Numbers 1:50 - thou shalt Joshua 3:8 - command 2 Kings 20:3 - remember Psalms 26:11 - and Psalms 106:4 - Remember Psalms 112:6 - the righteous Psalms 119:159 - Consider Jeremiah 15:15 - remember Malachi 3:17 - and I 2 Timothy 1:16 - Lord Hebrews 6:10 - to forget

Verse 23

married: Heb. made to dwell with them, Nehemiah 10:30, Ezra 9:2, Ezra 9:11, Ezra 9:12, Ezra 10:10, Ezra 10:44, 2 Corinthians 6:14

Ashdod: 1 Samuel 5:1

Ammon: Nehemiah 13:1-3

Reciprocal: Genesis 19:38 - children Exodus 34:16 - General Leviticus 21:15 - profane Deuteronomy 7:3 - General Deuteronomy 23:3 - Ammonite Deuteronomy 23:6 - Thou shalt Joshua 11:22 - Ashdod Joshua 15:46 - near Joshua 23:12 - shall make Judges 3:6 - General 1 Kings 11:1 - loved 1 Kings 16:31 - took to wife 2 Chronicles 22:3 - his mother Ezra 9:14 - join in Ezra 10:12 - so must we do Nehemiah 4:7 - Ashdodites Proverbs 28:4 - but Isaiah 2:6 - and they Jeremiah 25:20 - remnant Hosea 5:7 - begotten Hosea 7:8 - he hath Malachi 2:11 - and hath 2 Corinthians 11:29 - and I burn

Verse 24

could not speak: Heb. they discerned not to speak

each people: Heb. people and people, Zephaniah 3:9

Reciprocal: Genesis 6:2 - and they Joshua 11:22 - Ashdod Joshua 15:46 - near Ezra 9:2 - taken of their Nehemiah 4:7 - Ashdodites Hosea 5:7 - begotten Malachi 2:15 - That he Matthew 26:73 - for

Verse 25

I contended: Nehemiah 13:11, Nehemiah 13:17, Proverbs 28:4

cursed: or, reviled, Nehemiah 5:13, Deuteronomy 27:14-26, Psalms 15:4, Luke 11:45, Luke 11:46

smote: Deuteronomy 25:2, Deuteronomy 25:3, Ezra 7:26

plucked: Isaiah 50:6

made them: Nehemiah 10:29, Nehemiah 10:30, Deuteronomy 6:13, 2 Chronicles 15:12-15, Ezra 10:5

Ye shall not: Exodus 34:16, Deuteronomy 7:3

Reciprocal: Genesis 24:3 - swear Judges 17:2 - cursedst 1 Samuel 9:17 - reign over 2 Kings 8:18 - his wife 2 Chronicles 21:6 - he had Ezra 9:3 - off Nehemiah 5:6 - General Nehemiah 5:12 - I called Nehemiah 13:28 - I chased Proverbs 24:25 - them 2 Corinthians 7:11 - indignation Galatians 1:8 - let

Verse 26

Did not Solomon: 1 Kings 11:1-8, Ecclesiastes 7:26

yet among: 2 Samuel 12:24, 2 Samuel 12:25, 1 Kings 3:13, 2 Chronicles 1:12, 2 Chronicles 9:22

who was beloved: 2 Samuel 12:24

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 17:17 - multiply wives Judges 16:4 - he loved 1 Kings 11:4 - his wives 2 Kings 8:18 - his wife 2 Kings 23:13 - Solomon 2 Chronicles 12:13 - an Ammonitess 2 Chronicles 21:6 - he had Job 31:9 - If mine Proverbs 2:16 - deliver Proverbs 5:9 - General Proverbs 6:33 - and his Proverbs 7:26 - General Proverbs 22:14 - mouth Proverbs 31:3 - to that Ecclesiastes 10:1 - a little Jeremiah 44:15 - all the

Verse 27

Shall we then: 1 Samuel 30:24

to transgress: Ezra 10:2

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 11:4 - his wives Proverbs 2:16 - deliver

Verse 28

And one: Josephus relates, that this young man was named Manasseh; and that at his request, Sanballat and the Samaritans built their temple upon mount Gerizim, in opposition to that at Jerusalem, at which he officiated, in some measure, according to the Mosaic ritual.

Joiada: Nehemiah 12:10, Nehemiah 12:22

Eliashib: Nehemiah 3:1

son in law: Nehemiah 13:4, Nehemiah 13:5, Nehemiah 6:17-19

Sanballat: Nehemiah 2:19

I chased: Nehemiah 13:25, Psalms 101:8, Proverbs 20:8, Proverbs 20:26, Romans 13:3, Romans 13:4

Reciprocal: Exodus 26:28 - reach Joshua 3:8 - command Ezra 9:2 - the hand Ezra 10:6 - Johanan Ezra 10:18 - the sons Nehemiah 3:20 - Eliashib Job 31:34 - the contempt Proverbs 22:10 - General Proverbs 24:25 - them Proverbs 28:4 - but Malachi 2:12 - the master and the scholar

Verse 29

Remember: Nehemiah 6:14, Psalms 59:5-13, 2 Timothy 4:14

because they have defiled: Heb. for the defilings of, Leviticus 21:1-7

the covenant: Numbers 16:9, Numbers 16:10, Numbers 25:12, Numbers 25:13, 1 Samuel 2:30, Malachi 2:4-8, Malachi 2:10-12

Reciprocal: Genesis 8:1 - God remembered Nehemiah 7:64 - as polluted Malachi 2:8 - ye have corrupted Malachi 2:12 - the master and the scholar Romans 9:4 - covenants

Verse 30

cleansed: Nehemiah 10:30

appointed: Nehemiah 12:1-26, 1 Chronicles 23:1 - 1 Chronicles 26:32

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 9:2 - the seed

Verse 31

the wood: Nehemiah 10:34

Remember: Nehemiah 13:14, Nehemiah 13:22, Psalms 25:7, Psalms 26:8, Psalms 26:9, Psalms 106:4, Luke 23:42

Reciprocal: Genesis 8:1 - God remembered Leviticus 1:7 - lay Leviticus 6:12 - burn wood Deuteronomy 26:2 - That thou shalt 2 Kings 20:3 - remember 2 Chronicles 31:5 - came abroad Nehemiah 5:19 - Think Psalms 26:11 - and Psalms 112:6 - the righteous Isaiah 38:3 - Remember Jeremiah 15:15 - remember 2 Timothy 1:16 - Lord Hebrews 6:10 - to forget