Nehemiah 13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 13:5

And he had prepared for him a great chamber ,.... In the temple, by throwing together several chambers, as Piscator observes: where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which was commanded to be given to the Levites, and to the singers, and the porters, and the offerings of the priests ; see Nehemiah 10:37 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 13:6

But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem ,.... Nehemiah, who was absent all the while these things were done by Eliashib, or otherwise they would not have been suffered: for in the thirty second year of Artaxerxes, king of Babylon, came I unto the king from Jerusalem ; after he had governed there twelve years, to whom he came to give an account of affairs there; this was not Xerxes, as some F2 Apud Ganz. Tzemach David, par. 2. fol. 8. 2. have thought, for he reigned but twenty... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 13:7

And I came to Jerusalem ,.... Through the king's leave, and with a commission from him: and understood of the evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah ; was informed of the mal-administration of his office: in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God ; whereby it was profaned and polluted. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 13:8

And it grieved me sore ,.... That such a sacred place should be converted to common use, and to that of an Heathen, and of an enemy to the Jews and their religion: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber ; as being chief magistrate, and acting by commission under the king of Persia, and to regulate everything amiss, according to the Jewish laws, as well as those of the king, his power being, no doubt, as large as Ezra's, Ezra 7:25 , by "household... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 13:9

Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers ,.... By which it appears there were more than one, or that several were thrown into one; which was done not only by washing them, but as this was a ceremonial uncleanness, contracted by the habitation of an Heathen in them, their purification might be by the water of separation, Numbers 19:9 and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat offering and the frankincense ; replaced them where they were before. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 13:10

And I perceived that the portion of the Levites had not been given them ,.... The tithes, being removed to some other place, might be converted to another use; or the people, seeing what was done by Eliashib, neglected to bring them in, as judging they would not be properly disposed of; and besides, the Levites had deserted their station upon this: for the Levites and the singers that did the work were fled everyone to his field ; to look after their country farms, or to get their living... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 13:11

Then I contended with the rulers ;.... The ecclesiastical rulers, the priests that were appointed over those chambers, Nehemiah 12:44 , he expostulated with them warmly, and chode them severely for their conduct: and said, why is the house of God forsaken ? no care being taken of the maintenance of the ministers of it, contrary to the promise made Nehemiah 10:37 , and l gathered them together ; the Levites and singers that were dispersed in the countries round about: and set... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 13:12

Then brought all Judah the tithe of corn, and the new wine, and the oil, into the treasuries. When they saw a reformation made, and things were going in their proper channel, and a right use would be made of their tithes, these given to proper persons, who were now reinstated in their office. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 13:13

And I made treasurers over the treasuries ,.... New ones, since the others appointed were either dead or unfaithful to their trust, Nehemiah 12:44 , Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe ; who also was a priest, as Ezra was both priest and scribe; one that besides his office as a priest was expert in the law, and capable of instructing others: and of the Levites, Pedaiah, and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah, for they were counted faithful ; had a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 13:14

Remember me, O my God, concerning this ,.... Not in a way of strict justice, as if he thought he merited anything at the hand of God for what he had done; but in a way of grace and mercy, that he would graciously accept thereof, as done for the honour of his name, and overlook all failings and infirmities therein, see Nehemiah 13:22 and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof ; for the support of the worship of God in the temple,... read more

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