Nehemiah 13:10-23

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Nehemiah 13:10-14

Here is another grievance redressed by Nehemiah. I. The Levites had been wronged. This was the grievance: their portions had not been given them, Neh. 13:10. Perhaps Tobiah, when he took possession of the store-chambers, seized the stores too, and, by the connivance of Eliashib, converted them to his own use. The complaint is not that they were not collected from the people, but that they were not given to the Levites, and the Levites were so modest as not to sue for them; for the Levites and... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Nehemiah 13:15-22

Here is another instance of that blessed reformation in which Nehemiah was so active. He revived sabbath-sanctification, and maintained the authority of the fourth commandment; and a very good deed this was for the house of God and the offices thereof, for, where holy time is over-looked and made nothing of, it is not strange if all holy duties be neglected. Here is, I. A remonstrance of the abuse. The law of the sabbath was very strict and much insisted one, and with good reason, for religion... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Nehemiah 13:23-31

We have here one instance more of Nehemiah's pious zeal for the purifying of his countrymen as a peculiar people to God; that was the thing he aimed at in the use of his power, not the enriching of himself. See here, I. How they had corrupted themselves by marrying strange wives. This was complained of in Ezra's time, and much done towards a reformation, Ezra 9:1-10:44 But, when the unclean spirit is cast out, if a watchful eye be not kept upon him, he will re-enter; so he did here. Though in... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 13:15

In those days saw I in Judah some treading winepresses on the sabbath ,.... Which was not a work of necessity, and so did not drive away the sabbath, as the Jews express themselves, but might have been deferred to another day: and bringing in sheaves ; of wheat, it being the time of wheat harvest: and lading asses ; with goods to be carried from place to place, and sold on that day; this was contrary to the express law, for the ass was to rest, Deuteronomy 5:14 , as also wine,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 13:16

There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish ,.... From Tyre and Zidon, and the parts adjacent: these they brought from Joppa, and from thence to Jerusalem, and had houses or lodgings near the fish gate or fish market, where they sold them: and all manner of ware ; or merchandise, which, being a trading city, they had from all nations: and sold on the sabbath day unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem ; or even in Jerusalem, the holy city, where stood the temple,... read more

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