Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 13:30
Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business;
30. Nehemiah Summarizes his Work under the heads of purification and organization
cleansed I them ] i.e. the people of Israel.
all strangers ] R.V. marg. ‘Or, every strange thing ’. LXX. ; the foreign element, which threatened to encroach upon the separateness of Israel and become the renewed source of idolatry. Vulg. ‘ab omnibus alienigenis.’
the wards of ] R.V. wards for. Nehemiah did not originate the duties of the priests and Levites; he only set on foot a more systematic distribution of their work. The word ‘wards’ may here indicate the successive relays or ‘watches’ of priests and Levites (LXX. . Vulg. ‘ordines’); or, in a more general sense, their ‘duties’ and ‘observances,’ as in Neh 13:13, which seems to agree best with the following clause: ‘each one in his work.’
in his business ] R.V. in his work, Neh 13:10, Neh 10:33, Neh 11:12. As generally in these books, except Neh 11:16; Neh 11:22, where ‘business’ is retained. Cf. Pro 22:29, ‘Seest thou a man diligent in his business?’
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The wards – Rather, the offices or observances. Nehemiahs arrangement is probably that described in Neh 11:10-22.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Thus cleansed I them from all strangers,…. Both people and priests from strange wives, obliging them to put them away, or flee their country:
and appointing the wards of the priests and the Levites, everyone in his business: to do the work of their office in their courses and turns.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Nehemiah concludes his work with a short summary of what he had effected for the community. “I cleansed them from all strangers” (comp. Neh 13:23., Neh 9:2; Neh 13:1.), “and appointed the services for the priests and Levites, each in his business, and for the wood-offering at times appointed (Neh 10:35), and for the first-fruits” (Neh 10:36.). The suffix to refers to the Jews. , strange, means foreign heathen customs, and chiefly marriages with heathen women, Neh 13:23., Neh 9:2; Neh 13:1. , properly to set a watch, here used in the more general sense of to appoint posts of service for the priests and Levites, i.e., to arrange for the attendance upon those offices which they had to perform at their posts in the temple, according to the law; comp. Neh 10:37, Neh 10:39; Neh 12:44-46; Neh 13:13. and , Neh 13:31, still depend on : I appointed the attendance for the delivery of the wood for the altar at appointed times (comp. Neh 10:35), and for the first-fruits, i.e., for bringing into the sanctuary the heave-offering for the priests. The are named as pars pro toto , instead of all the prescribed by the law. On the arrangements connected with these two subjects, viz., the purification from heathen practices, and the restoration of the regular performance of divine worship, was Nehemiah’s whole energy concentrated, after the fortification of Jerusalem by a wall of circumvallation had been completed. He thus earned a lasting claim to the gratitude of the congregation of his fellow-countryman that returned from Babylon, and could conclude his narrative with the prayer that God would remember him for good. On this frequently-repeated supplication (comp. Neh 13:14, Neh 13:22, and Neh 5:19) Rambach justly remarks: magnam Nehemiae pietatem spirat . This piety is, however – as we cannot fail also to perceive – strongly pervaded by the legal spirit of post-Babylonian Judaism.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
6. Nehemiah summarizes his reforms.
TEXT, Neh. 13:30-31
30
Thus I purified them from everything foreign and appointed duties for the priests and the Levites, each in his task,
31
and I arranged for the supply of wood at appointed times and for the first fruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.
COMMENT
These two verses are Nehemiahs summary of his work: note his attention to detail, which is one of the characteristics of the man. How else could he end it but with a prayer? He asks not to be remembered by man, but by God. This is a fitting close for the record of a great man.
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.
SUMMARY
The public reading of the Law revealed that God had forbidden the entrance of Moabites or Ammonites into their religious assemblies, so the people barred all foreigners.
Nehemiah discovered on his return from Persia that space had been given to Tobiah, governor of Ammon, in some of the Temple rooms. He threw Tobiahs belongings out and restored the rooms to the Levites for their intended uses for storage of supplies.
He also observed that people were not supporting the Levites with their tithes, and he corrected that, appointing reliable people to make distributions of these goods to the Levites.
Sabbath observance had become neglected, so he complained to the public officials and offending tradespeople from Tyre doing business at the gate on the Sabbath, eventually barring the gates and threatening to use force to prevent their entrance on the Sabbath.
He observed that children were losing the ability to speak Hebrew because many of them were the products of marriages with foreigners and he got the people to agree to stop that practice.
The high priest had a grandson who had married the daughter of Sanballat the Samaritan; Nehemiah drove him away.
He summarized his achievements in purifying the people of foreign influences, restoring priests and Levites to their duties, seeing that wood was provided for their offerings, and restoring the offering of first fruits to them.
In all these things he prayed for Gods approval on his work.
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(30) This is a brief recapitulation of the special Work of Nehemiah after his return.
Thus cleansed I them.After the acts of discipline described above, there was doubtless some formal service of expiation.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
(30, 31) Conclusion.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
30. Thus cleansed I them This verse is a concluding summary of Nehemiah’s reforms.
Appointed the wards See Neh 12:44-47.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Neh 13:30 Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business;
Ver. 30. Thus cleansed I them from all strangers ] As from so much filth and rubbish. I made them either put away their strange wives, or quit their places. He did not raise a dust only, but not remove it, as Luther wittily saith of the cardinals and prelates, that met at Rome about reformation of the Church (Sleid. Com.). These he compared to foxes that came to sweep a house full of dust with their tails; and instead of sweeping it out, swept it all about the house, and made a great smoke for the while; but when they were gone, the dust all fell down again. Nehemiah made clean work, and so purged the priesthood, that he made it shine again, as the word here signifieth; the priests were (as Chrysostom saith all ministers should be), puriores coelo, clearer than the azured sky; and as those Nazarites, Lam 4:7 , purer than snow, whiter than milk, &c.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Neh 13:30-31
30Thus I purified them from everything foreign and appointed duties for the priests and the Levites, each in his task, 31and I arranged for the supply of wood at appointed times and for the first fruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.
Neh 13:30-31 Nehemiah restored the order established before he left (cf. Neh 13:11).
Jack Finegan, Light From the Ancient Past, vol. 11, thinks that when Nehemiah sent away Manasseh, the son of Joiada, grandson of Eliashub, the high priest, that he started the Samaritan schism and built the rival temple on Mt. Gerizim (p. 310).
Neh 13:31 Remember me, O my God This book is characterized by Nehemiah’s prayers for God to remember
1. His word – Neh 1:8
2. His servant, Nehemiah – Neh 5:19; Neh 13:14; Neh 13:22; Neh 13:31
3. His enemies – Neh 6:14; Neh 13:29
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought provoking, not definitive.
1. Why did the leaders of Jerusalem make alliances with Tobiah and Sanballat?
2. How long was Nehemiah gone from Jerusalem?
3. List the problems which had occurred in his absence. Why was he so upset about these abuses?
4. What is the relationship between Ezra’s dealing with mixed marriages and that of Nehemiah’s?
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
wards of = charges for. N. B. no Art. here.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
cleansed: Neh 10:30
appointed: Neh 12:1-26, 1Ch 23:1 – 1Ch 26:32
Reciprocal: Neh 9:2 – the seed
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Neh 13:30. Thus cleansed I them from all strangers That is, both priests and Levites were separated from their strange wives: and appointed the wards of the priests, &c. To observe their courses of attendance at the house of God, and every one to perform there that business which was proper to him.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
6. The summary of Nehemiah’s reforms 13:30-31
Probably we should understand these verses as summarizing Nehemiah’s reforms after he returned to Jerusalem, namely, those described in this chapter. How long Nehemiah remained in Jerusalem is unknown. He behaved in this chapter as though he still had the power of a Persian governor.
". . . as facilitator of political stability and as the resolute upholder of the law, Nehemiah’s mission has messianic features about it as well. He is thus a religious reformer who can be cast into the very best traditions of a Josiah or a Hezekiah." [Note: William J. Dumbrell, "The Theological Intention of Ezra-Nehemiah," Reformed Theological Review 45:3 (September-December 1986):70.]
"Nehemiah’s singlemindedness of purpose, attention to detail, willingness to delegate authority, dedication to service, and dependence on God were combined in a man who can simply be labeled as a servant of God." [Note: Breneman, p. 59.]