The Offices of the Priests and Levites NEHEMIAH, XIII. voice to be heard. 2 That is, appointed by the law. trumpets; namely, Zechariah the son of 1 Heb., made their Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Michaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph: (36) and his brethren, Shemaiah, and Azarael, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethaneel, and Judah, Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God, and 3 Heb., for the joy Ezra the scribe before them. (37) And at the fountain gate, which was over against them, they went up by the stairs of the city of David, at the going up of the wall, above the house of David, even unto the water gate eastward. of Judah. 4 Heb., that stood. a 1 Chron. 25 & 26. appointed in the Temple. the singers 'sang loud, with Jezrahiah their overseer. (43) Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy the wives also and the children rejoiced so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off. (44) And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites : for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited. (45) And both the singers and the porters kept the ward of their God, and the ward of (38) And the other company of them that gave thanks went over against them, and I after them, and the half of the people upon the wall, from beyond the tower of Chron. 35. 1, &c. the purification, "according to the com the furnaces even unto the broad wall; (39) and from above the gate of Ephraim, and above the old gate, and above the fish gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Meah, even unto the sheep gate and they stood still in the prison gate. c Num. 18. 26. mandment of David, and of Solomon his son. (46) For in the days of David 'and 5 That is, set apart. Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God. (47) And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah, gave the portions of the singers and the porters, every day his portion and they sanctified holy things unto the Levites; and the Levites sanctified them unto the children of Aaron. read. (40) So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of 6 Heb., there was God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me: (4) and the priests; Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets; (42) and Maaseiah, and Shemaiah, and Eleazar, and Uzzi, and Jehohanan, and Malchijah, and Elam, and Ezer. And 7 Heb., ears. d Num. 22.5; Deut. 23.3. (36) With the musical instruments of David the man of God. -No part of the service deviated from sacred precedents (comp. verse 27). Ezra the scribe before them.-Between the singers and the princes came he who was the greatest in dignity, though the second in office. (38) The other company.-Comparing the order with chap. iii., the reader will have a clear view of the second company. They had the longer route, proceeding to the left, rounding the north "broad wall," passing the sheep-gate, and so meeting the priestly company near the prison-gate. The space where they met had the Temple straight in front, the prison-gate on the right, and the water-gate on the left. (39) The gate of Ephraim.-Not mentioned in the process of repairing, as having remained comparatively intact with part of the "broad wall." (40) In the house of God.-They stood first outside, but afterwards entered to present their offerings. But the main interest of the day was the professional worship under the open heavens. (41) And the priests.-Like the names of the priests and Levites in verse 35, these are personal; not to be found in the former lists. 5 CHAPTER XIII.—(1) On that day 6they read in the book of Moses in the 7audience of the people; and therein (44-47) Economical arrangements. (44) For Judah rejoiced. Not only was the Temple service restored to something like the completeness of the Davidical period, the people also everywhere took pleasure in the ministrations of the Temple, and provided amply for them. Hence the need of men to take charge of the treasuries of the firstfruits and tithes. (45) Kept the ward. This should be read differently. The priests and Levites kept the ward of their God, and the ward of purification, and the singers and porters, &c. To "keep the ward" is to observe the regular times and seasons of sacrifice and thanksgiving. (46) Of old.—Always there is a reverence shown for the old precedents. (47) The Levites.-Between the people and the priests came the Levites, who received the tithe and gave the priests their "tithe of the tithe" (Num. xviii. 26). XIII. (1-3) Reform as to mixed marriages. (1) On that day.-Probably the season of the Feast of Tabernacles, as before. But portions were selected ¡ to be read. was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever; (2) a because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned 24.9. 1 Heb.. being set over. various Abuses. a Num. 22 5; Josh. of the king: (7) and I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God. (8) And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber. (9) Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat offering and the frankincense. Levites. the curse into a blessing. (3) Now it 2 Heb., the com- 3 Heb.,at the end of (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 (4) And before this, Eliashib the priest, 1having the oversight of the chamberofthe house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah (5) and he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the or, earnestly re field. (11) Then contended I with the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, 2 which was commanded to be given to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests. (6) But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave quested. 5 Heb., standing. 6 Or, storehouses. 7 Heb., at their They read in the book of Moses.-"It was read" in the Pentateuch, and specially Deut. xxiii. This is introduced for the sake of the action taken, and the history is given in brief, with a striking and characteristic parenthesis of Nehemiah's own concerning the curse turned into a blessing. Therein was found written.-What to the people generally was not known. For ever.-No Ammonite or Ammonite family could have legal standing in the congregation, "even to their tenth generation;" and this interdict was to last "for ever." It virtually though not actually amounted to absolute exclusion. (3) The mixed multitude.-For the "mixed multitude," or Ereb, which plays so prominent a part in Jewish history, see on Exod. xii. 38. The process here was that of shutting out heathens who were in the habit of mingling with the people in the services. In chap. ix. it was, as we saw, the people's separation from the practices and spirit of the heathen. (4-9) The scandal of the high priest. (4) Eliashib the priest, having the oversight. -Probably the high priest of chap. iii. 1, whose office alone would not have given him control over "the chamber: that is, the series of chambers running round three walls of the Temple. He "was allied unto Tobiah," but in what way is not stated. Before this.-That is, before the return of Nehemiah; indeed, there is a suspicious absence of Eliashib's name throughout the high religious festivities of the preceding chapters. (5) A great chamber.-The sequel shows that many small chambers had been thrown into one. (6) Was not I at Jerusalem.-Parenthetical explanation of this disorderly state of things. 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 7next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of King of Babylon.-Probably it was at Babylon that Nehemiah found the court, and therefore he does not say "King of Persia." After certain days.-The time is left indefinite. But the "two and thirtieth year" shows that he had been in Jerusalem twelve years before his return to the king. (8) It grieved me sore.-The second time we read of Nehemiah's deep emotion: first, because of the utter dissoluteness of which this was a token; and secondly, because it was a priestly desecration. (9) Cleansed. There was a formal purification. It is a note of minute accuracy that there is no mention of tithes being brought back as yet; the next verses show why. (10-13) The provision for the Levites. (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. xxxv. 2). (11) Contended I with the rulers.-See their express covenant in chap. x. 39. The rich men had taken advantage of Nehemiah's absence to indulge their covetousness. And I gathered them together.--The Levites were summoned back from their fields. (13) And I made.-The reform was made effectual by organisation. Eliashib had failed in his duty (verse 4); and the appointment of treasurers (chap. xii. 44) is now confirmed. One of the treasurers was a layman named Hanan (chap. x. 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 pro them. Mixed Marriages. Mattaniah: for they were counted faith- 1 Heb., it was upon that they should not be opened till ful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren. (15) In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, sor, observations. and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, wall? after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day. (20) So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice. (21) Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on and all manner of burdens, which they before the the sabbath. (22) And I commanded the brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath : 6 Heb., had made Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning to dwell with this also, and spare me according to the 5 greatness of thy mercy. day and I testified against them in the B.C. cir. 434. (23) In those days also saw I Jews that 6had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab: (24) and their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews' lancerned not to guage, but according to the language of each people. (25) And I contended with them, and 'cursed them, and smote 7 Heb., they dis- and people. (19) And it came to pass, that whens Heb, of people certain of them, and plucked off their the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters the gates should be shut, and charged 9 or, reviled them, unto their sons, nor take their daughters bably the Zidkijah of chap. x. 1, and the secretary of Nehemiah. (14) Remember me.-Once more the faithful servant of God begs a mecriful remembrance of what he had done for the honour of God in the "observances " of His Temple. (15-22) Vindication of the Sabbath. (15) Saw I in Judah.-In the country Nehemiah marked the most determined profanation of the Sabbath; and this extended to Jerusalem, into which all kinds of burdens were on that day, as on others, carried. (16) Men of Tyre.-They brought timber for the building of the Temple, and received food in payment (Ezra iii. 7). Now they seem to have established themselves as a colony, and supplied fish, especially to the inhabitants. But their offence was the doing this "on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem." The verse closes emphatically. (17) That ye do.-The nobles, in the absence of Nehemiah, had been responsible, and the sin is charged upon them. The appeal supposes their familiarity with the express prediction of Jeremiah and its literal fulfilment (Jer. xvii. 27). (19) Some of my servants.-These are several times mentioned as employed in public duty. Here they are used provisionally, to keep out traffickers until the formal appointment of the Levitical guard (verse 22), after which they would be relieved. (20) Once or twice.-For a time they lodged outside; the unseemliness of this, and the evidence it gave that they were only waiting to evade the law, made Nehemiah testify in word, and threaten forcible action. This effectually removed the evil. (22) Cleanse themselves.-As for a sacred duty, not without reference to their past neglect, which required to be forgiven. This was a high tribute to the Sabbath ordinance, and as such in harmony with all the details of this episode. Remember me.-In this prayer also Nehemiah commits his fidelity to the merciful estimate of God. But something in connection with the Sabbath, or with his retrospect of his own conduct, gives the passing prayer a peculiar pathos of humility. (23-29) The mixed marriages again. (23) Saw I Jews.-The punishment shows that these were exceptional cases; but the transgression was of the most flagrant kind (see verse 1). (24) Half in the speech of Ashdod.-A mixture of Philistine and Aramaic. (25) Cursed them.-Nehemiah simply echoed the covenant sanction on this very point (chap. x. 29, 30). Certain of them.-Some were selected for special punishment and humiliation. Ezra, on a like occasion, humbled himself by plucking off the hair of his own head (Ezra ix. 3). Then they were obliged to repeat the oath of the covenant. a 1 Kings 11. 1, &c. unto your sons, or for yourselves. (26) Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: "nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin. (27) Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgressings. against our God in marrying strange wives? (28) And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was 1 Heb, for the de (26) Did not Solomon . . .-Here it is implied that the language of Scripture concerning Solomon was familiar both to Nehemiah and to these transgressors. It is a remarkable instance of the faithful application of their own chronicles. (28) I chased him from me.-Eliashib himself was allied by marriage to Tobiah, and one of his grandsons was now brought into prominence as married to Sanballat. Him Nehemiah drove into exile. (29) Remember them.-This priestly violation of law is committed to God alone for punishment. And of the Levites.-God chose the tribe of Levi for Himself, specially the house of Aaron, and every priest was to be "holy to the Lord” (Lev. xxi. 6, 8). This was "the covenant of the priesthood;" though there may be an undertone of reference to the great covenant in chap. x. The final Prayer. son in law to Sanballat the Horonite: therefore I chased him from me. (29) Remember them, O my God, 1because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites. (30) Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business; (31) and for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good. (30, 31) Conclusion. (30) This is a brief recapitulation of the special work of Nehemiah after his return. Thus cleansed I them.-After the acts of disci. pline described above, there was doubtless some formal service of expiation. (31) Remember me, O my God, for good.— With these words Nehemiah leaves the scene, commiting himself and his discharge of duty to the Righteous Judge. His conscientious fidelity had brought him into collision not only with external enemies but with many of his own brethren. His rigorous reformation has been assailed by many moralists and commentators in every age. But in these words he commits all to God, as it were by anticipation.-It may be added that with these words end the annals of Old Testament history. |