Nehemiah 10 36

Nehemiah 10:36 kjv

Also 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:

Nehemiah 10:36 nkjv

to bring the firstborn of our sons and our cattle, as it is written in the Law, and the firstborn of our herds and our flocks, to the house of our God, to the priests who minister in the house of our God;

Nehemiah 10:36 niv

"As it is also written in the Law, we will bring the firstborn of our sons and of our cattle, of our herds and of our flocks to the house of our God, to the priests ministering there.

Nehemiah 10:36 esv

also to bring to the house of our God, to the priests who minister in the house of our God, the firstborn of our sons and of our cattle, as it is written in the Law, and the firstborn of our herds and of our flocks;

Nehemiah 10:36 nlt

We agree to give God our oldest sons and the firstborn of all our herds and flocks, as prescribed in the Law. We will present them to the priests who minister in the Temple of our God.

Nehemiah 10 verses

Nehemiah 10 36 Meaning

Nehemiah 10:36 records a specific pledge made by the returning exiles in their renewed covenant with God. They solemnly promised to bring the firstborn of their sons, as well as the firstborn of their domesticated animals—specifically their cattle, herds, and flocks—to the priests serving in the House of God. This commitment was a direct and practical fulfillment of the divine commandments laid out in the Mosaic Law, signifying their devotion and adherence to God's established ordinances.

Nehemiah 10 36 Context

Nehemiah 10:36 is embedded within a profound moment of covenant renewal for the returned Jewish exiles in Jerusalem, circa 444 BC. Following the completion of the city walls, Ezra the priest and scribe led a powerful spiritual revival, marked by the public reading and expounding of the Law (Torah) for the first time in many years. This awakened repentance and a collective desire among the people to recommit themselves entirely to God's covenant. Chapter 10 details the specifics of this new binding agreement, solemnly signed by the leaders and accepted by the whole community. It covers commitments ranging from avoiding foreign marriages to observing the Sabbath and, critically, ensuring the financial and material support of the Temple and its personnel. Verse 36 directly addresses one of these core commitments: fulfilling the ancient biblical commands regarding the "firstborn" of all produce and offspring, which had likely been neglected during their time in exile and before. This pledge demonstrated their earnestness in upholding God's worship and providing for those who served Him in the newly rebuilt sanctuary.

Nehemiah 10 36 Word analysis

• Also (וְגַם - vegam): This conjunction signifies that the present commitment is an additional and equally vital component, building upon other promises listed in the covenant. It shows comprehensive coverage of their obligations.
• the firstborn (בכור - bekhor): This term refers to that which "breaks forth" or "opens the womb." Biblically, it's not merely chronological but signifies that which is dedicated or set apart for God. It represents God's ownership and right to the best.
• of our sons (בָּנֵינוּ - bānênû): Our male children. According to Mosaic Law, the firstborn male child was to be consecrated to the Lord but redeemed, usually by a payment or substitution (Num 3:47-48; Ex 13:13). This refers to acknowledging God's claim over their offspring.
• and of our cattle (וּבְהֶמְתֵּנוּ - ûḇehĕm-tênû): This is a general term for domesticated animals or livestock, signifying the broad scope of their agricultural produce over which God had a claim.
• as it is written in the Law (כַּכָּתוּב בַּתּוֹרָה - kakkātûḇ battôrâ): This crucial phrase anchors their commitment directly to the revealed word of God, the Torah (Pentateuch). It underscores that their pledge was not based on human invention but on divine mandate, demonstrating their desire for authentic, biblically-rooted worship.
• and the firstborn of our herds (וּבְקַרְנוּ - ûḇeqarnû): This specifies the larger livestock, such as oxen or cattle. These were valuable assets for farming, transportation, and food, representing a significant sacrifice when given as an offering.
• and our flocks (וְצֹאנֵנוּ - wətsōnênû): This refers to sheep and goats, the smaller livestock. These were vital for wool, milk, meat, and common sacrificial offerings. Their inclusion completes the categories of animal offspring dedicated to God.
• we will bring (נָבִיא - nāḇî’): An active declaration of intention, emphasizing their personal and collective responsibility to perform this act. It reflects a willing obedience.
• to the priests (לַכֹּהֲנִים - lakkōhanîm): The designated intermediaries chosen by God to receive and manage offerings and to perform sacred services within the Tabernacle and Temple. This ensures proper order and fulfillment of the divine commands.
• who minister (הַמְשָׁרְתִים - hamšeārᵉtîm): Literally, "those serving." It highlights that these offerings were essential for sustaining the spiritual work of the priests who faithfully served in God's presence.
• in the house of our God (בְּבֵית אֱלֹהֵינוּ - bəḇêṯ ’ĕlōhêhenū): Refers to the Temple in Jerusalem, the divinely appointed central place of worship and the manifestation of God's presence among His people. It points to centralized worship and support for its functions.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "the firstborn of our sons and of our cattle... and the firstborn of our herds and our flocks": This detailed enumeration signifies an all-encompassing commitment to God. By pledging the firstborn of all their primary forms of increase—human and animal—the people acknowledge God's ultimate sovereignty and ownership over every aspect of their lives and sustenance. It means giving the first and therefore the best to God, not leftovers.
• "as it is written in the Law": This phrase serves as the explicit foundational authority for their pledge. It underscores their unwavering dedication to observing God's precise commandments found in the Pentateuch (e.g., Ex 13:2, 13:12-13; Num 18:15-17; Deut 15:19-20), confirming a true desire for obedience rather than ritualistic novelty.
• "we will bring to the priests who minister in the house of our God": This group of words emphasizes the practical, tangible means by which their covenant was fulfilled. It highlights the established channels of worship (the priesthood) and the designated location (the Temple) where these sacred offerings were to be delivered, ensuring the continued operation of the sacrificial system and support for those dedicated to God's service.

Nehemiah 10 36 Bonus section

The principle of the "firstborn" in Israelite tradition carries profound theological weight, linking back to critical moments in salvation history. For example, Israel itself is called God's "firstborn son" (Ex 4:22), highlighting its unique status and divine protection. The laws concerning the firstborn (both human and animal) are directly connected to the Passover event in Egypt, where God struck the firstborn of Egypt but "passed over" Israel, sanctifying their firstborn to Himself as a memorial of their redemption. This means the pledge in Nehemiah 10:36 wasn't just about financial support; it was a deeply symbolic act reaffirming their identity as a nation redeemed by God. The fact that human firstborn were redeemed with silver, rather than sacrificed like clean animals, emphasized the sanctity of human life while still asserting God's claim. This covenant promise foreshadows a greater redemption, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who is called the "firstborn over all creation" and "firstborn from among the dead," indicating His preeminence and role in our ultimate spiritual redemption. Thus, this seemingly simple commitment rooted them in their foundational covenant with a holy, redeeming God.

Nehemiah 10 36 Commentary

Nehemiah 10:36 encapsulates a vital element of the revitalized post-exilic community's covenant: the intentional and specific commitment to uphold the Law concerning the firstborn. This pledge, stemming from a period of profound spiritual renewal and a return to biblical truths, transcended mere ritual. It was an outward manifestation of a transformed heart, acknowledging God's absolute ownership over all life and provision. By vowing to bring the "firstborn" —the initial, freshest, and therefore often best—of their human offspring (redeemed) and livestock, the people confessed their dependence on God's ongoing blessings and His historical deliverance (recall the Passover where firstborn were spared and consecrated). This was critical not only for acknowledging God but also for pragmatically sustaining the Levites and priests, ensuring that the Temple, the heart of their worship and national identity, remained vibrant and functional. This specific promise stood in stark contrast to previous generations' negligence and demonstrated a resolute intention to avoid the sins that led to the exile, illustrating a sincere desire for covenant fidelity and communal well-being.