Nehemiah 13

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 13 of 13

1 ¶ On that day they read in the Book of Moses in the ears of the people. And it was found written in it that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God forever,

2 because they did not meet the sons of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them. But our God turned the curse to a blessing.

3 And it happened, when they had heard the Law, they separated all the mixed multitude from Israel.

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Chapter Summary

1 After reading the law, separation is made from the mixed multitude. 15 The violation of the Sabbath, 23 and those living with foreign women.

Key Hebrew Words

שַׁבָּת Sabbath H7676 · TWOT 2323b
חָלַל to profane H2490 · TWOT 660
מַעֲשֵׂר tithe H4643 · TWOT 1711h
בָּדַל to separate H914 · TWOT 203
זָכַר remember (me) H2142 · TWOT 551
נׇכְרִי foreign (women) H5237 · TWOT 1368c

People & Context

Nehemiah

The governor and narrator who returns and enforces every reform in the chapter (vv.6-31)

Eliashib

The priest over the temple rooms who, allied to Tobiah, gave him a chamber in God's house (vv.4-7)

Tobiah

The Ammonite whose household goods Nehemiah throws out of the temple chamber (vv.4-8)

Sanballat the Horonite

Adversary whose son-in-law, a grandson of Eliashib, Nehemiah chases away (v.28)

Solomon

King of Israel cited as a warning, made to sin by foreign women (v.26)

Balaam

Hired to curse Israel, but God turned his curse into a blessing (v.2)

Timeline

Separation of the Mixed Multitude

Upon hearing the Book of Moses, which states Ammonites and Moabites are forbidden from entering the congregation, the people separate all the mixed multitude from Israel.

Nehemiah 13:1-3
Expulsion of Tobiah from the Temple

Returning from Babylon, Nehemiah discovers the priest Eliashib gave Tobiah a room in the temple courts. Grieved, Nehemiah throws out Tobiah's belongings and purifies the rooms.

Nehemiah 13:4-9
Restoration of the Levites' Portions

Nehemiah learns the Levites had fled to their fields because they weren't given their portions. He rebukes the rulers, restores the tithes, and appoints faithful treasurers to distribute them.

Nehemiah 13:10-14

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