Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 13:13
And I made treasurers over the treasuries, 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 counted faithful, and their office [was] to distribute unto their brethren.
13. Shelemiah the priest and Zadok the scribe ] It is natural to conjecture from the fact that these names are followed by ‘and of the Levites,’ that Shelemiah and Zadok were priests, and that the treasurers consisted of two priests and two Levites.
‘Shelemiah the priest’ is perhaps the same as the Shelemiah of Neh 3:30; and if so, ‘Zadok the scribe’ may be identified with ‘Zadok the son of Immer’ whose name occurs in Neh 3:29, and who was undoubtedly of priestly descent (cf. Immer, Neh 7:40). The title of ‘scribe’ given to him and Ezra, though both of priestly origin, shows that the work of ‘the scribe’ was obtaining increasing importance. Whether it implies that Ezra was dead and that Zadok had succeeded to his office, is an interesting question, but one which we have no means of deciding.
Pedaiah ] Possibly the same who is mentioned in Neh 8:4.
next to them ] Literally ‘upon their hand,’ i.e. attending and assisting, cf. Neh 11:24, ‘at the king’s hand.
Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah ] We have had mention of Mattaniah as a Levitical house representing the sons of Asaph (Neh 11:17, Neh 12:8; Neh 12:25-35).
We may conjecture that Shelemiah represented the Temple priests, Zadok the ‘judicial’ section of the priests; Pedaiah the Levites proper, and Hanan the singers and porters.
their office was] R.V. their duty was. The construction is the same as in Ezr 10:12, but proved too difficult for the versions. The LXX. combines the two clauses, , Vulg. ‘et ipsis creditae sunt partes patrum suorum.’
to distribute unto their brethren ] i.e. to distribute fairly among the various houses, and to decide upon the Levites’ tenth paid to the priests.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 13. They were counted faithful] They were reported to me as persons in whom I could confide; they had been steady in God’s ways and work, while others had been careless and relaxed.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Zadok the scribe; the ecclesiastical scribe, who was to keep the accounts of the receipts and disbursements.
They were counted faithful; by common fame, and the consent of those who knew them. Such he now sought out the more diligently, because he had late experience of the perfidiousness of the former trustees.
To distribute unto their brethren, according to their several families, as the law had prescribed.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And I made treasurers over the treasuries,…. New ones, since the others appointed were either dead or unfaithful to their trust, Ne 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 good report of all that knew them, for men of fidelity and uprightness, and so fit for such a trust:
and their office was to distribute unto their brethren; to deliver to them their share in the tithes, first fruits, &c.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(13) And I made.The reform was made effectual by organisation. Eliashib had failed in his duty (Neh. 13:4); and the appointment of treasurers (Neh. 12:44) is now confirmed. One of the treasurers was a layman named Hanan (Neh. 10:22); but they were all faithful men, and are mentioned in connection with the building of the wall. The majority being priests and Levites, they distributed to their brethren. Zadok was probably the Zidkijah of Neh. 10:1, and the secretary of Nehemiah.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
13. I made treasurers Thus re-establishing what he had himself done once before. Neh 12:44.
Shelemiah Zadok Probably the same mentioned in Neh 3:29-30. They were probably aged men of unsullied character, and, therefore, counted faithful, and fit to be trusted with this responsible work.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Neh 13:13 And I made treasurers over the treasuries, 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 counted faithful, and their office [was] to distribute unto their brethren.
Ver. 13. And I made treasurers ] Nehemiah left nothing undone that might befit a vigilant and valiant governor. He was omnibus numeris absolutus, every way complete.
For they were counted faithful
And their office was
To distribute unto their brethren
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
I made treasurers: or, I set in charge.
next to them: or, to help them.
Mattaniah. Compare Neh 11:17.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
I made: Neh 12:44, 2Ch 31:12-15
Shelemiah: Neh 3:30
Pedaiah: Neh 8:4
next to them: Heb. at their hand
Zaccur: Neh 10:12
Mattaniah: Neh 11:22, Neh 12:35
counted: Neh 7:2, 2Ki 12:15, 2Ki 22:7, Luk 12:42, Luk 16:10-12, Act 6:3, 1Co 4:2, 1Ti 1:12, 1Ti 3:10
their office: Heb. it was upon them
to distribute: Act 4:35, Act 6:1
Reciprocal: 2Ch 31:11 – chambers 2Ch 31:14 – to distribute Ezr 2:33 – Hadid Neh 10:38 – the treasure house Luk 21:1 – the treasury
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Neh 13:13. For they were counted faithful By the consent of those who knew them. They had approved themselves faithful in other trusts committed to them, and so had purchased to themselves this good degree, 1Ti 3:13. Men should be tried first, and then trusted; tried in the less, and then trusted with more. The office of these treasurers was to receive and pay; to distribute to their brethren in due season, and due proportions. And Nehemiah sought out for faithful men the more diligently, because he had had experience of the perfidiousness of the former trustees.