Nehemiah 10 37

Nehemiah 10:37 kjv

And 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.

Nehemiah 10:37 nkjv

to bring the firstfruits of our dough, our offerings, the fruit from all kinds of trees, the new wine and oil, to the priests, to the storerooms of the house of our God; and to bring the tithes of our land to the Levites, for the Levites should receive the tithes in all our farming communities.

Nehemiah 10:37 niv

"Moreover, we will bring to the storerooms of the house of our God, to the priests, the first of our ground meal, of our grain offerings, of the fruit of all our trees and of our new wine and olive oil. And we will bring a tithe of our crops to the Levites, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all the towns where we work.

Nehemiah 10:37 esv

and to bring the first of our dough, and our contributions, the fruit of every tree, the wine and the oil, to the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and to bring to the Levites the tithes from our ground, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all our towns where we labor.

Nehemiah 10:37 nlt

We will store the produce in the storerooms of the Temple of our God. We will bring the best of our flour and other grain offerings, the best of our fruit, and the best of our new wine and olive oil. And we promise to bring to the Levites a tenth of everything our land produces, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all our rural towns.

Nehemiah 10 verses

Nehemiah 10 37 Meaning

This verse outlines the specific financial and agricultural commitments made by the Israelite community during their covenant renewal. They pledged to bring various agricultural firstfruits (dough, general tree fruit, new wine, oil) and specific heave offerings directly to the priests, to be stored in the chambers of the House of God. Additionally, they committed to bring the tithes (one-tenth) of their entire agricultural yield to the Levites, ensuring the Levites received their support throughout all the cities where the Israelites cultivated land. This comprehensive commitment ensured the sustained provision for the Temple's function and its ministerial staff.

Nehemiah 10 37 Context

Nehemiah 10 details the signing of a solemn covenant by the Israelites following a period of national spiritual revival, repentance, and instruction in the Law (chapters 8-9). This "firm agreement" (Neh 9:38) was made by the people, sealed by their leaders, to walk in God's Law, specifically binding themselves to certain practices outlined in verses 30-39. Verse 37 specifically addresses their renewed commitment to the detailed provisions for sustaining the Temple worship and its personnel. Historically, after returning from exile, there had been challenges in maintaining the Temple's operations due to neglect in contributions, as evident in the book of Malachi and earlier accounts in Ezra. This verse represents a foundational practical commitment for the community's future faithfulness and the effective functioning of the restored Temple in post-exilic Judah.

Nehemiah 10 37 Word analysis

• And we bring: From Hebrew ve-nābīʾ, a Hip’il perfect verb, meaning "to cause to come" or "to bring in." This signifies an active, deliberate action of the community, not a passive offering.
• our firstfruits: Hebrew bikkurei-. Signifies the very first produce or harvest, highlighting the best and highest priority portions. This principle acknowledged God's sovereignty as the ultimate provider of all increase.
• of our dough: Hebrew 'arisotēnu. Refers to the first portion of the prepared dough or coarse flour, before baking. It indicated a comprehensive offering from their daily staples.
• and our offerings: Hebrew tərumōtēnū. Specifically refers to "heave offerings," which were portions set apart, or "lifted up," for sacred use and given to the priests. These were distinct from general freewill offerings or tithes.
• the fruit of all manner of trees: Hebrew pĕrī kāl-ʿēṣ. Encompasses all types of tree produce, ensuring broad coverage of their agricultural yield beyond grains.
• of the new wine: Hebrew tîrôš. Refers to the fresh, unfermented juice of the grape, symbolizing the first and vital liquid harvest.
• and of the oil: Hebrew yiṣhār. Denotes fresh, pressed olive oil, a crucial staple and valuable commodity in ancient Israel, emphasizing a dedication of their most valued resources.
• unto the priests: Hebrew ha-kōhanîm. The descendants of Aaron, consecrated for temple service and sacrificial duties. These specified offerings were for their direct sustenance.
• to the chambers: Hebrew liškhōt. These were dedicated storerooms or chambers within the Temple complex, specifically designed to house the offerings, ensuring proper handling and distribution to the priests. This shows an organized system.
• of the house of our God: Hebrew bêt ʾĔlōhēnu. Refers to the rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem, the central place of worship and divine presence.
• and the tithes: Hebrew ma'aśrôt. Represents one-tenth of the increase. This was a systematic, non-negotiable portion of all produce or livestock due to God.
• of our ground: Hebrew 'admātenu. Emphasizes the primary source of their income, directly from the land God had given them.
• unto the Levites: Hebrew ha-lewiyyim. The tribe set apart for assisting the priests in temple service, teaching, music, and various other duties. They received the primary tithe from the people.
• that the Levites might have the tithes: This phrase reinforces the legal and practical purpose of the tithes – to provide full, dedicated support for the Levites so they could focus entirely on their God-ordained service.
• in all the cities of our tillage: Hebrew bĕkhōl ʿārê ʿăvōdātēnu. Refers to all the towns or regions where they engaged in agriculture. This indicates a commitment to establish a system for tithing and collection that extended throughout the cultivated lands, not just in Jerusalem, ensuring comprehensive support for Levites across the nation.

Words-group Analysis:

• "firstfruits of our dough...of the oil, unto the priests": This comprehensive list specifies the diverse agricultural produce designated for the direct support and consumption of the priests, demonstrating their commitment to provide ample sustenance from their varied harvest. This arrangement provided a stable, prescribed income for those serving in the sanctuary.
• "and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage": This clause distinguishes the Levites' portion (the tenth of all produce) from the priests' direct offerings and clarifies that this system of support was intended to be universally applied throughout all inhabited and cultivated regions of Judah. It highlights the economic infrastructure supporting the Levitical class throughout the land, vital for their decentralized role as teachers and facilitators of worship.

Nehemiah 10 37 Bonus section

• The meticulous detailing of different agricultural products (dough, tree fruit, wine, oil) reflects a profound commitment that covered all significant sources of income for an agrarian society, showing no loophole in their promise.
• This verse's commitment to systematically support the Levites "in all the cities of our tillage" underlines the organizational depth of their pledge. It implies a distributed network of collection and distribution beyond Jerusalem, crucial for ensuring Levites throughout the land, particularly those who were teachers and musicians, could perform their duties without seeking secular employment.
• The re-establishment of these giving practices was not just about economic survival for the Temple personnel; it was a visible sign of national repentance and dedication to YHWH's covenant, showing trust in His provision as they faithfully returned His commanded portions.

Nehemiah 10 37 Commentary

Nehemiah 10:37 records a foundational commitment of the returning exiles: to fully and systematically support the priestly and Levitical service. This was a crucial element of their renewed covenant faithfulness, going beyond merely building walls to establishing the economic framework for sustained spiritual life. By meticulously detailing the provision of firstfruits for the priests (symbolizing God's priority and proprietorship over all produce) and tithes for the Levites (ensuring their livelihoods), the community acknowledged God's divine ordinance for Temple maintenance. This act represented a reversal of past neglect, recognizing that proper worship and religious instruction depended directly on the community's willingness to invest its material blessings. It demonstrated a heart transformed, prioritizing God's house and ministers as central to their national identity and prosperity.