Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 13:10
And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given [them]: for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field.
10 14. The failure of the people to furnish the due supplies to the Levites; and Nehemiah’s reform
10. the portions of the Levites ] The portion which the people had covenanted to contribute to the Levites (cf. Neh 10:37 ff.) had not been paid. The Levites to escape starvation had dispersed into the country. The Temple services were therefore crippled. Compare the similar rebuke in Mal 3:7-12. ‘The Levites’ here used for the whole class.
for ] R.V. so that. Their dispersion was the result, not the occasion of non-payment.
the singers ] Under this head, the porters ( Neh 13:5) would be included.
every one to his field ] For mention of the country villages ‘round about Jerusalem,’ to which ‘the Levites and the singers’ resorted, cf. Neh 12:27-29.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
etc. During Nehemiahs absence there had been a general falling away, and there was danger of a complete national apostasy.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 10. The portions of the Levites had not been given] Hence we find they were obliged to abandon the sacred service, and betake themselves to cultivate the land for their support. This was the fault of the rulers, who permitted all these abuses.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The portions of the Levites had not been given them; which might be either,
1. From this corrupt high priest Eliashib, who took their portions, as he did the sacred chambers, to his own use, or employed them for the entertainment of Tobiah, and his other great allies. Or.
2. From the people, who either out of covetousness reserved them to themselves, contrary to their own solemn agreement and covenant, Neh 10:37; or were so offended at Eliashibs horrid and manifest abuse of sacred things, that they abhorred the offering and service of God, as others did upon a like occasion, 1Sa 2:17, and therefore neglected to bring in their tithes, &c., which they knew would be perverted to bad uses.
Were fled every one to his field; to his possession in the country, being forced to do so for a livelihood.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
10-13. And I perceived that theportions of the Levites had not been given themThe people,disgusted with the malversations of Eliashib, or the lax andirregular performance of the sacred rites, withheld the tithes, sothat the ministers of religion were compelled for their livelihood towithdraw to their patrimonial possessions in the country. The templeservices had ceased; all religious duties had fallen into neglect.The money put into the sacred treasury had been squandered in theentertainment of an Ammonite heathen, an open and contemptuous enemyof God and His people. The return of the governor put an end to thesedisgraceful and profane proceedings. He administered a sharp rebuketo those priests to whom the management of the temple and itsservices was committed, for the total neglect of their duties, andthe violation of the solemn promises which they had made to him athis departure. He upbraided them with the serious charge of havingnot only withheld from men their dues, but of having robbed God, byneglecting the care of His house and service. And thus having rousedthem to a sense of duty and incited them to testify their godlysorrow for their criminal negligence by renewed devotedness to theirsacred work, Nehemiah restored the temple services. He recalled thedispersed Levites to the regular discharge of their duties; while thepeople at large, perceiving that their contributions would be nolonger perverted to improper uses, willingly brought in their tithesas formerly. Men of integrity and good report were appointed to actas trustees of the sacred treasures, and thus order, regularity, andactive service were re-established in the temple.
Ne13:15-31. THEVIOLATION OF THE SABBATH.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
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 by agriculture, since there was no care taken of them at Jerusalem; see Ne 12:28.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The payment of dues to the Levites, and the delivery of the tenths and first-fruits, had also been omitted. – Neh 13:10. “And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given; and the Levites and singers who had to do the work, were fled every one to his field.” The Levites, i.e., the assistants of the priests, the singers, and also the porters, who are not expressly mentioned in this passage, were accustomed to receive during the time of their ministry their daily portions of the tenths and first-fruits (Neh 12:47). When then these offerings were discontinued, they were obliged to seek their maintenance from the fields of the towns and villages in which they dwelt (Neh 12:28.), and to forsake the service of the house of God. This is the meaning of the , to flee to the fields.
Neh 13:11-12 “Then I contended with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken?” It was the duty of the , the heads of the community (comp. Neh 2:16), to see that the tithes, etc., were regularly brought to the house of God. Hence Nehemiah rebukes them by asking: Why is the house of God forsaken? i.e., through the non-delivery of the dues. On , comp. Neh 10:39. This rebuke made the impression desired. Nehemiah assembled the Levites and set them in their place (comp. Neh 9:3; 2Ch 30:16; 2Ch 35:10), i.e., he brought them back to the performance of their official duties, and (Neh 13:12) all Judah (the whole community) brought the tithe of the corn, etc., into the store-chambers of the temple; comp. Neh 10:38. 2Ch 11:11.
Neh 13:13-14 “And I appointed as managers of the stores (or storehouses, i.e., magazines) Shemaiah the priest,” etc. , Hiphil, for , is a denominative from , to set some one over the treasures. Whether Shemaiah and Zadok are the individuals of these names mentioned in Neh 3:30, Neh 3:29, cannot be determined. Zadok is called a , a writer or secretary, not a scribe in the Jewish sense of that word. A Pedaiah occurs Neh 8:4. , and at their hand Hanan, probably as an under-steward. These four were placed in this position because they were esteemed faithful. , and it was (incumbent) on them (comp. 1Ch 9:27; Ezr 10:12) to distribute to their brethren, i.e., to the priests and Levites, the portions due to them (Neh 13:10). Nehemiah concludes his account of this matter with the wish, that God may remember him concerning it (comp. Neh 5:19), and not wipe out the kindnesses which he has shown to the house of God and its watches. , abbreviated from the Hiphil , to cause to wipe out. .tuo like 2Ch 35:26. (the form occurring only here), properly watches, watch-posts, here the office of attending on the service of the temple.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
| Abuses Rectified. | B. C. 434. |
10 And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them: for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field. 11 Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place. 12 Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries. 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. 14 Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof.
Here is another grievance redressed by Nehemiah.
I. The Levites had been wronged. This was the grievance: their portions had not been given them, v. 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 singers fled every one to his field. This comes in as a reason either, (1.) Why their payments were withheld. The Levites were non-residents: when they should have been doing their work about the temple, they were at their farms in the country; and therefore the people were little inclined to give them their maintenance. If ministers have not the encouragement they should have, let them consider whether they themselves be not accessory to the contempt they are under, by the neglect of their business. Or rather, (2.) It is the reason why Nehemiah soon perceived that their dues had been denied them, because he missed them from their posts. “Where are the singers” (said Nehemiah); “why do not they attend according to their office, to praise God?” “Why, truly, they have gone every one to his country seat, to get a livelihood for themselves and their families out of their grounds; for their profession would not maintain them.” A scandalous maintenance makes a scandalous ministry. The work is neglected because the workmen are. It was not long since the payment of the salaries appointed for the singers was put into a very good method (ch. xii. 47); and yet how soon did it fail for want of being looked after!
II. Nehemiah laid the fault upon the rulers, who should have taken care that the Levites minded their business and had all due encouragement therein. This is required from Christian magistrates, that they use their power to oblige ministers to do their duty, and people to do theirs. Nehemiah began with the rulers, and called them to an account: “Why is the house of God forsaken? v. 11. Why are the Levites starved out of it? Why did not you take notice of this and prevent it?” The people forsook the Levites, which was expressly forbidden (Deu 12:19; Deu 14:27); and then the Levites forsook their post in the house of God. Both ministers and people who forsake religion and the services of it, and magistrates too who do not what they can to keep them to it, will have a great deal to answer for.
III. He delayed not to bring the dispersed Levites to their places again, and set them in their stations (as the word is), v. 11. A Levite in his field (clericus in foro–a minister keeping the market) is out of his station. God’s house is his place, and there let him be found. Many that are careless would do much better than they do if they were but called upon. Say to Archippus, Take heed to thy ministry.
IV. He obliged the people to bring in their tithes, v. 12. His zeal provoked theirs; and, when they saw the Levites at their work, they could not for shame withhold their wages any longer, but honestly and cheerfully brought them in. The better church-work is done the better will church-dues be paid.
V. He provided that just and prompt payment should be made of the Levites’ stipends. Commissioners were appointed to see to this (v. 13), and they were such as were accounted faithful, that is, had approved themselves so in other trusts committed to them, and so had purchased to themselves this good degree, 1 Tim. iii. 13. Let men be tried first and then trusted, tried in the less and then trusted with more. Their office was to receive and pay, to distribute to their brethren in due season and due proportions.
VI. Having no recompence (it is a question whether he had thanks) from those for whom he did these good services, he looks up to God as his paymaster (v. 14): Remember me, O my God! concerning this. Nehemiah was a man much in pious ejaculations; on every occasion he looked up to God, and committed himself and his affairs to him. 1. He here reflects with comfort and much satisfaction upon what he had done for the house of God and the offices thereof; it pleased him to think that he had been any way instrumental to revive and support religion in his country and to reform what was amiss. What kindness any show to God’s ministers, thus shall it be returned into their own bosoms, in the secret joy they shall have there, not only in having done well, but in having done good, good to many, good to souls. 2. He here refers it to God to consider him for it, not in pride, or as boasting of what he had done, much less depending upon it as his righteousness, or as if he thought he had made God a debtor to him, but in a humble appeal to him concerning his integrity and honest intention in what he had done, and a believing expectation that he would not be unrighteous to forget his work and labour of love, Heb. vi. 10. Observe how modest he is in his requests. He only prays, Remember me, not Reward me–Wipe not out my good deeds, not Publish them, Record them. Yet he was rewarded and his good deeds were recorded; for God does more than we are able to ask. Note, Deeds done for the house of God and the offices of it, for the support of religion and the encouragement of it, are good deeds. There is both righteousness and godliness in them, and God will certainly remember them, and not wipe them out; they shall in no wise lose their reward.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
Proper Distribution, Verses 10-14
The authority which Nehemiah exhibited in the matters which he confronted on his return to Jerusalem indicates the extent of power granted him by the king as governor of the land. He could even override the wishes of the high priest and throw Tobiah out iri the street. With boldness he addressed priests and rulers and compelled them to comply with the law.
The second problem coming to Nehemiah’s attention was the neglect of the tithes and offerings. One reason there was room for Tobiah in the temple chambers was the failure to take up the things from the people which should have been stored there. There had not been sufficient to supply the needs of the Levites and singers, and they had been forced to leave the temple service and go to their suburban fields and toil at secular labor for their livelihood. The Lord never intended for these who wait on His spiritual affairs to leave that work for material employment (cf. Lu 10:7; 1Ti 5:17-18; 1Co 9:13-14).
For this Nehemiah held the rulers responsible for having not insisted on the care of the Levites and singers according to the law. Nehemiah then sent for those who had left their posts and installed them again in their places. The people also responded by bringing in the tithes of grain, oil, and wine as they should have been doing all the time. To see that the thing was properly maintained thereafter Nehemiah passed over the high priest and chose those who were found to be faithful in performance of their duties and appointed them to oversee the storerooms and treasuries, to collect and to distribute lawfully.
Verse 14 records another of Nehemiah’s short petitions in which he implores the Lord to remember his deeds of service and to bless him for it. There is nothing out of the way in doing things for the Lord hopeful that one will be blessed for the doing of it. The saved should always be mindful of doing the deeds for which God can bless them.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
3. Support for the Levites is renewed.
TEXT, Neh. 13:10-14
10
I also discovered that the portions of the Levites had not been given them, so that the Levites and the singers who performed the service had gone away, each to his own field.
11
So I reprimanded the officials and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? Then I gathered them together and restored them to their posts.
12
All Judah then brought the tithe of the grain, wine, and oil into the storehouses.
13
And in charge of the storehouses I appointed Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and Pedaiah of the Levites, and in addition to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah; for they were considered reliable, and it was their task to distribute to their kinsmen.
14
Remember me for this, O my God, and do not blot out my loyal deeds which I have performed for the house of my God and its services.
COMMENT
In Neh. 13:10, Nehemiahs discovery of the Levites predicament may have stemmed from the events of the previous paragraph, from seeing the shortage of supplies in the storage rooms. The service of the Levites and singers may have involved more than that at the dedication of the wall. Now they had been driven by financial necessity to agricultural pursuits, to the detriment of the Temple services. It was a waste to fail to employ such talents in praising and serving God. This was evidently a chronic problem throughout Israels history.
Neh. 13:11-13 show Nehemiahs effectiveness in dealing with the problem: first a reprimand, pointing subtly to their obligation before God; then a searching out and restoration of the abused; then the contributions from the community of Judah followed; and then an organization of reliable, faithful people was set up to get all the contributions into the right hands.
Neh. 13:14 is another of Nehemiahs trademark prayers.
WORD STUDIES
EVER (Neh. 13:1 : Olam): for ever, everlasting. Basically it means hidden (as in the secret sins of Psa. 90:8): where the beginning or end is obscure or uncertain or indefinite. It is applied to (1) the past, or antiquity, time long past or even only a lifetime, the days of old, Mic. 7:14; or of a long time, Isa. 42:14; (2) the future, i.e., of the end of one life, Deu. 15:17; (3) end of an age or race or dynasty, limited by the length of their obedience, 1Sa. 2:30. (4) The laws are for ever (Passover, Exo. 12:14), yet they are superseded now. (5) The earth and universe are forever (Psa. 104:5), though we know they will pass away. (6) Only when the term is used of God does it have the idea of absolute eternality (Psa. 90:2).
The people of the O.T. did not have an everlasting promise; they found no need to coin a word for an idea which they didnt have, or barely had, in their mind. Only Jesus could complete that picture for them (2Ti. 1:10).
LOVED (Neh. 13:26 : Aheb): to breathe after, long for, desire; the meaning is akin to Agape in the N.T. Israel loved Joseph, Gen. 37:3 f; Jacob loved Rachel, Gen. 29:18; Hosea was told to love his wife in spite of her unworthiness, Hos. 3:1; God loved His people, Deu. 23:5; and we must love God, Deu. 6:5.
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(10) Fled every one to his field.They who performed the work of the Temple were obliged to seek their sustenance by cultivating the fields apportioned to them in the Levitical cities (Num. 35:2).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
(10-13) The provision for the Levites.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
THE PORTIONS OF THE LEVITES RESTORED, Neh 13:10-14.
10. The portions had not been given The arrangements narrated in Neh 12:44-47 had not been carried out, and consequently the ministers of the temple had been obliged to flee every one to his field, in order to procure sustenance for himself. The evil example of the high priest had spread demoralization among all the Levites, and we have the dark picture of this corruption of priests and people vividly presented to us in the prophecy of Malachi.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
This forms an interesting passage, and makes a good lesson for the regulation of ministers with their people. Wherefore the Levites had fled, is not said. I should hope not because their stipend was kept back. And yet if they fled away, and in consequence the people then withheld it, the story tells much worse. In either case it is a sorry representation. Had the Levites kept up an eye to God, however ill their services were requited, God would have taken care that his servants should have been fed. Oh! what an huge volume of complaints is gone up before God, and the dreadful pages multiplying daily, of unfaithful ministers fleeing from their post like those Levites; fleecing, but not feeding their flocks; and taking wages, but giving no service. And on the other hand, how many of the people receiving their ministers labors, but not requiting them, except with ill-will: of all horrible accounts at the last day, surely this will be found the most tremendous!
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Neh 13:10 And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given [them]: for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field.
Ver. 10. And I perceived ] Heb. I took knowledge, and was soon sensible of it, as a great public mischief: for ad tenuitatem beneficiorum necessario sequitur socordia sacerdotum, lean benefits make leaden ministers (Panormit.). This the magistrate must look to, and provide that they may have the double honour that is due to them, of countenance and maintenance, 1Ti 5:17 ; or else religion will soon go to wreck.
That the portions of the Levites had not been given them
For the Levites and singers, that did the work
Were fled every one to his field
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Neh 13:10-14
10I also discovered that the portions of the Levites had not been given them, so that the Levites and the singers who performed the service had gone away, each to his own field. 11So I reprimanded the officials and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? Then I gathered them together and restored them to their posts. 12All Judah then brought the tithe of the grain, wine and oil into the storehouses. 13In charge of the storehouses I appointed Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and Pedaiah of the Levites, and in addition to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah; for they were considered reliable, and it was their task to distribute to their kinsmen. 14Remember me for this, O my God, and do not blot out my loyal deeds which I have performed for the house of my God and its services.
Neh 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).
Neh 13:11
NASBreprimanded
NKJVcontended
NRSVremonstrated
TEV, NJBreprimanded
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; Neh 13:11; Neh 13:17; Neh 13:25. 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).
Neh 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 Ezr 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; Neh 12:36; Neh 12:38.
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, NJBthey were considered reliable
NKJV, NRSVthey were considered faithful
TEVI could trust these men in being honest
The key term (BDB 52) is faithful, which becomes the term amen. See Special Topic: AMEN .
Neh 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; Neh 13:22; Neh 13:31). 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. 2Ch 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)
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
one-man. Hebrew. ‘ish. App-14.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Neh 13:10-14
Neh 13:10-14
THE PEOPLE HAD STOPPED PAYING TITHES TO THE LEVITES
“And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them; so the Levites, and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field. Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together and set them in their place. Then brought all Judah the tithe of the grain and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries. 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 business was to distribute unto their brethren. Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds which I have done for the house of my God, and for the observances thereof.”
“The Levites … were fled every one to his field” (Neh 13:10). The people, particularly the landowners, princes and rulers of the people, stopped paying tithes; and the Levites, left without support, fled at once to farms to make a living. Of course, the rulers (Neh 13:11) had a financial interest in abolishing tithes; and that is why Nehemiah began by assembling them and demanding an answer as to why the temple was deserted.
“I contended with the rulers” (Neh 13:11). “The sin of profaning the temple was principally charged against the priests; but the omission of the payment of tithes was due to the indifference or opposition of the rulers.”
“Remember me, O my God, concerning this” (Neh 13:14). This pitiful plea on the part of Nehemiah is understandable. The sudden and almost unbelievable totality of the people’s rejection of God’s Word and their wholesale violation of all his commandments surely must have alerted Nehemiah to the fact that all of his high hopes for the nation of Israel would never be realized. There are four similar prayers of this nature in this single concluding chapter.
E.M. Zerr:
Neh 13:10. As a natural result of such an unlawful use of the space given over to Tobiah, the proper support of the Levites and singers had been neglected. Not only so, but the situation had frightened them so that they fled to their private dwellings.
Neh 13:11. Nehemiah rebuked the men who were guilty of the abuses described above. Gathered them to means the Levites and singers who had been crowded out of their rightful place, were all returned and encouraged to expect their support again.
Neh 13:12. In obedience to the commandment of Nehemiah, the people of the tribe of Judah brought the tithes of the products of the treasuries (storehouses) to be used according to the law that was given by Moses.
Neh 13:13. Nehemiah did not take any risk in the handling of the products. He appointed certain men to supervise them, and the selection was made from those who were counted faithful. Since their office (work) was to distribute these necessities of life to the proper persons, it was very advisable to put it in the hands of such men.
Neh 13:14. Nehemiah was a man of prayer and we read frequently of his turning to God. His prayer that God would not wipe out (forget) his deeds for the house of the Lord did not imply that he would be short in his rewarding of merit. The disciples were taught to ask God not to lead them into temptation (Mat 6:13). That did not mean that he would so lead them; it was to be their expression of confidence in the good leadership of the Lord. In the same sense, Nehemiah’s prayer was his expression of his faith in the divine mercies and reward for righteousness.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
the portions: Neh 10:37, Neh 12:47, Mal 1:6-14, Mal 3:8, 1Ti 5:17, 1Ti 5:18
to his field: Num 35:2
Reciprocal: Gen 47:22 – for the priests Num 1:50 – thou shalt Jdg 17:8 – departed 2Ch 31:4 – that they might Neh 10:39 – we will not Mal 3:10 – the storehouse Heb 7:5 – to take
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Neh 13:10. The portion of the Levites had not been given them Which might be, either, 1st, Through this corrupt high-priest, Eliashib, who took their portions, as he did the sacred chambers, to his own use, or employed them for the entertainment of Tobiah, and his other great allies: or, 2d, Through the people, who either out of covetousness reserved them to themselves, contrary to their own solemn agreement, or were so offended at Eliashibs horrid abuse of sacred things, that they abhorred the offering and service of God, and therefore neglected to bring in their tithes, which they knew would be perverted to bad uses. For the Levites, &c., were fled To their possessions in the country, being forced to do so for a livelihood.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
3. The revival of tithing 13:10-14
Because the people had failed to bring their tithes to the temple, the Levites had to abandon their service in the temple to provide for their own physical needs. This failure may have resulted in rooms standing vacant for Tobiah to occupy as well. In response to Nehemiah’s reprimands, and Malachi’s preaching, the people began to tithe again (cf. Mal 3:8-10)
Thus far all of Nehemiah’s reforms, following his return to Jerusalem, involved temple service. Neh 13:14 records his prayer in view of these reforms (cf. Neh 5:19).