Nehemiah 10 3

Nehemiah 10:3 kjv

Pashur, Amariah, Malchijah,

Nehemiah 10:3 nkjv

Pashhur, Amariah, Malchijah,

Nehemiah 10:3 niv

Pashhur, Amariah, Malkijah,

Nehemiah 10:3 esv

Pashhur, Amariah, Malchijah,

Nehemiah 10:3 nlt

Pashhur, Amariah, Malkijah,

Nehemiah 10 verses

Nehemiah 10 3 Meaning

Nehemiah 10:3 details a specific commitment made by the returned Jewish exiles as part of their sealed covenant with God. It records their solemn promise to regularly bring their firstborn sons, their firstborn cattle, herds, and flocks to the house of God, for the benefit of the priests who ministered there. This commitment reaffirmed their obedience to the Mosaic Law regarding the dedication and redemption of firstborn and ensured the practical support of the renewed Temple worship and its ministers.

Nehemiah 10 3 Context

Nehemiah 10 is central to the post-exilic restoration in Jerusalem. It records the specific terms of a solemn covenant made by the people after Ezra's extensive reading and explanation of the Law in Nehemiah 8, followed by a communal confession and worship in Nehemiah 9. Having reflected on their ancestors' disobedience and God's enduring faithfulness, the people and their leaders formally committed themselves to uphold God's commandments. Verse 3 is one of several concrete, practical provisions within this sealed document, demonstrating their resolve to manage the temple, support the priesthood, and maintain proper worship in accordance with the Mosaic Law, which had been neglected prior to the exile. This commitment highlighted a deep understanding that spiritual renewal must translate into tangible acts of obedience and support for God's house and ministers.

Nehemiah 10 3 Word analysis

• And to bring: Signifies a proactive and committed action. This was not a passive acceptance but an intentional undertaking, highlighting the sincerity of their renewed covenant.
• the firstborn (Hebrew: בְּכוֹר - bekhor): Refers to the male child or animal that first opens the womb. Biblically, the firstborn carries significant status, symbolizing strength, leadership, and priority. Its dedication to God underscored His sovereignty and proprietary rights over all life and its origins, a principle rooted in the deliverance from Egypt where God spared Israel's firstborn.
• of our sons: This is a direct reference to the Mosaic Law (e.g., Exod 13:2), which declared every firstborn male as belonging to God. While they were not sacrificed, they were redeemed by a payment or by the dedication of the Levites in their stead (Num 3:12-13, 18:15-16). This clause emphasizes the people's intent to fulfill this significant, foundational aspect of their covenant with God.
• and of our cattle: Refers generally to large livestock (Hebrew: בְּהֵמָה - behemah). The inclusion signifies dedication of significant assets.
• and the firstborn of our herds (Hebrew: בָּקָר - baqar): Specifically refers to bovines (oxen, cattle). Firstborn of clean animals were sacrificed or used for the priests.
• and of our flocks (Hebrew: צֹאן - tso'n): Specifically refers to small livestock (sheep, goats). Similarly, their firstborn were to be presented. These provisions collectively covered the totality of their valuable animal assets.
• as it is written in the law (Hebrew: כַּכָּתוּב בַּתּוֹרָה - kakkatuv battorah): This phrase underscores their commitment to specific, authoritative divine revelation (the Torah, or Pentateuch), not merely tradition or custom. It highlights their resolve to reform worship and communal life precisely according to God's detailed commands. This phrase is key to understanding the spirit of post-exilic reform.
• to the house of our God: Refers to the newly rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem. This was the central place of worship, where offerings were presented and where God's presence symbolically dwelt. Bringing things "to the house" signifies maintaining the operational functions of the worship center.
• unto the priests that minister in the house of our God: Specifies the beneficiaries and recipients. The offerings sustained the priestly class (Hebrew: כֹּהֲנִים - kohanim) who carried out the prescribed Temple rituals, mediating between God and the people. Their sustained ministry was vital for the spiritual health of the community.

• Words-group analysis:
• "And to bring the firstborn of our sons, and of our cattle, as it is written in the law...": This comprehensive declaration shows their commitment to obey God's command regarding the firstborn across all categories of life and possessions, emphasizing the supreme importance of following divine instruction exactly as revealed in the Torah. It encompasses human life (sons) and economic sustenance (livestock).
• "to the house of our God, unto the priests that minister in the house of our God": This phrase precisely defines the purpose and destination of these dedications. They were not merely sacrifices for personal piety but institutional provisions for the functioning of the central sanctuary and its consecrated staff, vital for the entire nation's spiritual well-being.

Nehemiah 10 3 Bonus section

• The concept of "firstborn" in the Bible extends beyond Nehemiah 10, often carrying theological weight: Israel is called God's "firstborn son" among nations (Exod 4:22); God asserts His claim over every firstborn of man and beast. This divine right establishes a principle of holiness and dedication to God.
• The redemption of the firstborn son, in lieu of sacrifice, foreshadows Christ, the ultimate "Firstborn" who, through His sacrificial death, truly redeems those who are spiritually "firstborn" through faith. This transformation from physical redemption to spiritual adoption highlights the progression from Old Covenant practices to New Covenant realities.
• This verse illustrates a core principle of stewardship: recognizing God's ultimate ownership and bringing the "firstfruits" or "first and best" of one's blessings back to Him. This extends beyond literal offerings to our time, talents, and resources, demonstrating worship and trust.
• The historical context reveals the practical challenges of sustaining religious life after the exile. Specific commitments like these were necessary to avoid repeating past failures where the temple was neglected and the priests unsupported, leading to spiritual decay.

Nehemiah 10 3 Commentary

Nehemiah 10:3 represents a profound spiritual and practical commitment from the restored community in Jerusalem. After centuries of neglect and then the desolation of exile, the people formally bound themselves to a core tenet of the Mosaic Covenant: the dedication of the firstborn. This command, stemming from God's proprietorship over all life and specifically linked to the Passover deliverance (Exod 13), served as a foundational reminder that all blessings, especially the beginning of life and increase, originated with God and were to be honored as His. Their promise to bring not just animals but their "firstborn sons" demonstrates a commitment that transcended mere economic sacrifice, touching upon the most precious aspects of their lives. Furthermore, the explicit phrase "as it is written in the law" underscores their earnest desire for exact obedience, reflecting the pervasive influence of Ezra's teaching and a renewed reverence for the inspired Word. These offerings, channelled through the Temple and its priests, were essential for sustaining the re-established divine worship and for maintaining a right relationship with Yahweh.