Nehemiah 10

King James Version

Full text for Nehemiah Chapter 10

1¶ Now those that sealed [were], Nehemiah, the Tirshatha, the son of Hachaliah, and Zidkijah,

2Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah,

3Pashur, Amariah, Malchijah,

4Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch,

5Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah,

6Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch,

7Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin,

8Maaziah, Bilgai, Shemaiah: these [were] the priests.

9And the Levites: both Jeshua the son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel;

10And their brethren, Shebaniah, Hodijah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan,

11Micha, Rehob, Hashabiah,

12Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah,

13Hodijah, Bani, Beninu.

14The chief of the people; Parosh, Pahathmoab, Elam, Zatthu, Bani,

15Bunni, Azgad, Bebai,

16Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,

17Ater, Hizkijah, Azzur,

18Hodijah, Hashum, Bezai,

19Hariph, Anathoth, Nebai,

20Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir,

21Meshezabeel, Zadok, Jaddua,

22Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah,

23Hoshea, Hananiah, Hashub,

24Hallohesh, Pileha, Shobek,

25Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah,

26And Ahijah, Hanan, Anan,

27Malluch, Harim, Baanah.

28And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters, the singers, the Nethinims, and all they that had separated themselves from the people of the lands unto the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every one having knowledge, and having understanding;

29They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes;

30And that we would not give our daughters unto the people of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons:

31And [if] the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the sabbath day to sell, [that] we would not buy it of them on the sabbath, or on the holy day: and [that] we would leave the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt.

32¶ Also we made ordinances for us, to charge ourselves yearly with the third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God;

33For the shewbread, and for the continual meat offering, and for the continual burnt offering, of the sabbaths, of the new moons, for the set feasts, and for the holy [things], and for the sin offerings to make an atonement for Israel, and [for] all the work of the house of our God.

34And we cast the lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people, for the wood offering, to bring [it] into the house of our God, after the houses of our fathers, at times appointed year by year, to burn upon the altar of the LORD our God, as [it is] written in the law:

35And to bring the firstfruits of our ground, and the firstfruits of all fruit of all trees, year by year, unto the house of the LORD:

36Also the firstborn of our sons, and of our cattle, as [it is] written in the law, and the firstlings of our herds and of our flocks, to bring to the house of our God, unto the priests that minister in the house of our God:

37And [that] we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.

38And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house.

39For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where [are] the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Nehemiah 10 details the solemn covenant made by the Israelites to uphold God's law. Following a list of those who sealed the agreement, the people collectively vowed to walk in the Mosaic law, abstaining from intermarriage and Sabbath commerce. They also established ordinances for the financial support and maintenance of the temple service, including a temple tax, wood offerings, firstfruits, and tithes.

Medium Summary

Nehemiah 10 records the formal sealing of a covenant by the returned exiles in Jerusalem. The chapter begins by listing the names of the leaders who affixed their seals, including Nehemiah, priests, Levites, and the chief men of the people. Subsequently, the entire congregation, including their families, solemnly bound themselves by an oath and a curse to walk in the law of God given through Moses. This oath specifically included commitments to avoid intermarriage with the surrounding peoples, to refrain from commerce on the Sabbath and holy days, and to observe the sabbatical year and the release of debts. Furthermore, they established practical ordinances for the ongoing support of the temple, such as a yearly temple tax for its services and offerings. They also committed to providing wood for the altar by lot, bringing firstfruits of produce and firstborn animals, and ensuring the proper collection and distribution of tithes to the Levites and priests, affirming their dedication to the house of God.

Long Summary

Nehemiah 10 chronicles the formal ratification of a covenant by the Jewish community in Jerusalem, solidifying their commitment to God's law. The chapter commences with an extensive list of the individuals who sealed this covenant, beginning with Nehemiah the Tirshatha, followed by numerous priests, Levites, and the chief representatives of the people. After these prominent figures, the broader assembly, encompassing all the people, including priests, Levites, porters, singers, Nethinims, and all who had separated themselves from the surrounding lands, along with their families, collectively joined in this solemn agreement. They bound themselves with a curse and an oath to diligently walk in the law of God, which was delivered by Moses, and to observe all the commandments, judgments, and statutes of the LORD. Specific pledges included a strict prohibition against giving their daughters in marriage to the people of the land or taking their daughters for their sons, thus safeguarding their religious purity. They also vowed to refrain from buying ware or victuals on the Sabbath or any holy day from the people of the land, and committed to observing the seventh year, including the release of all debts. Beyond these personal and communal vows, the chapter details ordinances established for the perpetual support and functioning of the house of God. They agreed to charge themselves yearly with a third part of a shekel for the service of the temple, covering expenses for the shewbread, continual offerings, and atonement sacrifices. Furthermore, they instituted a system for providing wood for the altar by casting lots among the priests, Levites, and people, ensuring a consistent supply for burnt offerings. The covenant also reaffirmed their commitment to bringing the firstfruits of their ground, trees, dough, wine, and oil to the priests in the temple chambers. Crucially, they pledged to bring the firstborn of their sons and cattle to the house of God and to ensure the proper collection of tithes from their ground to the Levites. The Levites, in turn, were to bring a tithe of their tithes to the temple treasury, reinforcing the financial structure for the temple's operation. The chapter concludes with a powerful declaration of their collective resolve: "we will not forsake the house of our God," underscoring their renewed dedication to divine worship and the sacred institutions.

Core Concepts

  • Covenant SealingThe formal act of leaders, priests, Levites, and the people signing and swearing an oath to uphold God's law. This demonstrates a collective commitment to religious observance and national identity.
  • Adherence to Mosaic LawThe central vow taken by the people to walk in all the commandments, judgments, and statutes given by Moses. This signifies a return to foundational principles of their faith.
  • Separation from Foreign InfluenceA specific pledge to avoid intermarriage with the people of the land. This highlights the importance of maintaining distinct cultural and religious purity as commanded in the Law.
  • Sabbath ObservanceA commitment to refrain from buying or selling on the Sabbath and holy days. This underscores the sanctity of the Sabbath as a day of rest and worship, free from commercial activity.
  • Temple Support and MaintenanceThe establishment of ordinances for the financial and practical upkeep of the house of God, including a yearly temple tax, wood offerings, firstfruits, and tithes. This ensures the continuous operation of religious services and the livelihood of the priestly classes.
  • Tithes and OfferingsThe detailed system for bringing firstfruits of produce, firstborn animals, and tithes to the priests and Levites, with a portion of the tithes going to the temple treasury. This outlines the economic structure supporting the temple and its ministers.
  • Commitment to God's HouseThe concluding declaration, "we will not forsake the house of our God." This expresses the people's renewed dedication to the temple as the center of their worship and national life.