Nehemiah 11:23 kjv
For it was the king's commandment concerning them, that a certain portion should be for the singers, due for every day.
Nehemiah 11:23 nkjv
For it was the king's command concerning them that a certain portion should be for the singers, a quota day by day.
Nehemiah 11:23 niv
The musicians were under the king's orders, which regulated their daily activity.
Nehemiah 11:23 esv
For there was a command from the king concerning them, and a fixed provision for the singers, as every day required.
Nehemiah 11:23 nlt
Their daily responsibilities were carried out according to the terms of a royal command.
Nehemiah 11 23 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 18:21 | “To the Levites I have given every tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service that they do, their service in the tent of meeting." | Support for Levites/Ministers |
| Deut 12:18-19 | "…rejoice before the Lord your God… do not neglect the Levite who is within your gates, for he has no portion or inheritance with you." | Obligation to support God's ministers |
| 1 Chr 9:26-32 | Details about various roles of temple servants including singers and their provisions, duties, and housing. | Organized Temple service support |
| 1 Chr 9:33 | "And these are the singers, heads of fathers’ households of the Levites, who lived in the chambers of the temple free from other service, for they were on duty day and night." | Singers as full-time dedicated ministers |
| 1 Chr 23:5 | David appointed four thousand to praise the Lord with the instruments which he made for praise. | Importance of music in worship |
| 1 Chr 25:1-7 | David separated certain Levites for the service of music, indicating their specific role and their prophetic dedication. | Musicians dedicated to praise |
| Ezra 6:8 | Darius' decree providing expenses for the house of God from the king’s treasury for temple sacrifices. | Foreign king's financial support for temple |
| Ezra 7:20 | Artaxerxes authorizes Ezra to draw funds from the king’s treasury for the needs of the house of God. | Royal provision for Temple necessities |
| Neh 10:37-39 | The people pledge to bring their tithes and offerings for the support of the Levites and priests, ensuring resources for temple service. | Covenant to support temple workers |
| Matt 10:9-10 | Jesus instructs disciples not to acquire gold, silver, or copper, because "the laborer deserves his wages." | Ministers are worthy of support |
| Luke 10:7 | "And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages." | Provision for those engaged in ministry |
| 1 Cor 9:13 | "Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings?" | Scriptural basis for ministerial support |
| 1 Cor 9:14 | "In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel." | Principle of gospel workers supported |
| Php 4:15-18 | Paul commends the Philippians for their partnership in giving, which met his needs. | Financial support for apostles/ministers |
| 1 Tim 5:17-18 | "Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching." | Double honor for faithful ministers |
| 2 Chr 20:21-22 | Jehoshaphat appointed singers to go before the army, singing praises to the Lord, demonstrating music's powerful role in spiritual warfare. | Musical worship leading to victory |
| Psa 33:2-3 | "Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings! Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on strings, with loud shouts." | Command to use musical instruments for worship |
| Psa 150:3-5 | Exhortation to praise God with all kinds of instruments and loud sounds. | Diverse forms of musical worship |
| Isa 49:23 | "Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers." | Kings supporting God's people |
| Rom 13:1 | "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God." | God's sovereignty over governing authorities |
| Psa 22:3 | "Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel." | God dwells amidst His people's worship |
Nehemiah 11 verses
Nehemiah 11 23 Meaning
Nehemiah 11:23 specifies that the temple singers were assured of a consistent and reliable livelihood, receiving a daily allowance. This provision was established not by the temple treasury or the people of Judah initially, but by a direct decree from the Persian king. This royal commandment ensured that those dedicated to leading worship through music could commit themselves fully to their sacred service without distraction, signifying the importance of their role in the post-exilic community.
Nehemiah 11 23 Context
Nehemiah 11 describes the repopulation of Jerusalem following the rebuilding of its walls, which Nehemiah had completed. Many Jews who returned from Babylonian exile had settled in other towns of Judah, and now lots were cast, or people volunteered, to live within the holy city. The chapter lists the residents of Jerusalem, focusing on the various groups who returned: leaders of the people, priests, Levites, gatekeepers, and, specifically in verses 22-23, the temple singers. This context highlights the restoration of a fully functional Jerusalem, not just physically secure but also spiritually vibrant with established temple service. The mention of the singers and their secured provision in verse 23 emphasizes the critical role of worship in this restored community life and the foresight in ensuring that those responsible for praise could fully dedicate themselves to their calling. The historical context is the Achaemenid Persian Empire period, specifically the reign of Artaxerxes I, who generally pursued a policy of supporting local religious cults in his empire to ensure stability and good relations with various peoples. This royal decree for the singers aligns with such imperial policies, demonstrating how even foreign authorities could be instruments in God's providence for His people.
Nehemiah 11 23 Word analysis
- For it was: (כִּי, ki) This introductory conjunction serves to explain or clarify the preceding statement (Neh 11:22, which mentions the officer over the singers). It points to the reason why they were situated and appointed as they were.
- the king’s commandment: (מִצְוַת הַמֶּלֶךְ, mitzvat hammelekh)
- King: Refers to the reigning Persian emperor, Artaxerxes I. This is significant because it highlights external, imperial backing for the religious practices of the Jewish community. This wasn't merely a local custom but a royally endorsed policy. The Persian king, a non-Israelite ruler, formally recognized and supported the Levitical system of the Jerusalem Temple.
- Commandment/Decree: (mitzvat) Implies a formal, authoritative, and binding order, ensuring the regularity and legal validity of the provision. This carries the weight of imperial law.
- concerning them: (עֲלֵיהֶם, aleihem) Specifically referring to the temple singers. This highlights a focused provision, demonstrating the particular importance given to this group.
- that a certain portion should be: (וְקִימָה, v'qiyamah)
- Portion/Provision: (qiyamah) Literally "an established thing" or "a standing thing." This signifies an allotted, regular, and dependable provision, indicating stability and reliability. It means more than just a casual offering; it was a fixed, institutionalized arrangement.
- for the singers: (לַמְשׁוֹרְרִים, lamm'shor'rim) The professional musicians of the temple. Their role was critical for liturgical worship, psalms, and communal praise. This specification confirms their full-time status, needing constant sustenance. Their existence as a specialized, paid group contrasts with less organized worship forms or reliance purely on personal offerings.
- as a daily rate: (דְּבַר-יוֹם בְּיוֹמוֹ, devar-yom b'yomo)
- Daily: Emphasizes the continuity and regularity of the payment. This phrase literally means "a matter of day in its day," underscoring the dependable, recurring nature of the provision, without gaps or uncertainty. This was crucial for individuals whose entire livelihood depended on this specific service. This systematic daily support ensures the singers could fully dedicate themselves without having to seek external work for sustenance, maintaining the sanctity and regularity of temple worship.
Nehemiah 11 23 Bonus section
The specific "daily rate" mentioned for the singers might reflect Persian administrative practices known as 'allaqah' (or daily provision), where specific groups, often those tied to imperial service or strategically important areas, received regular allowances. This integrated the temple worship system directly into the empire's administrative structure, ensuring stability and oversight, while paradoxically enabling the practice of pure worship for God's people. This detail, stemming from a pagan king's decree, subtly showcases the sovereign hand of God influencing world rulers to facilitate His divine plan, providing for His worship even when His people lacked direct state authority. It’s a quiet testament to God's providence sustaining His covenant community.
Nehemiah 11 23 Commentary
Nehemiah 11:23 stands as a concise yet profound statement regarding the provision for temple singers in post-exilic Jerusalem. Its central point is the extraordinary detail that their support, specifically a "daily rate" or established allowance, originated from a "king’s commandment"—referring to the Persian emperor. This was not a small internal congregational matter but a significant decree by the ruling imperial power. This kingly endorsement ensured stability and official legitimacy for the temple musicians, marking them as vital figures within the socio-religious fabric sanctioned by the empire itself.
The implications are several: Firstly, it underscores the perceived importance of worship, particularly musical praise, in the restored Jewish community. For the singers to be specially designated for full-time service, receiving a consistent livelihood, meant their role was non-negotiable and foundational to the temple's function. Secondly, it highlights the remarkable way God works through unexpected channels, even a pagan king, to ensure His purposes for His people are fulfilled. This demonstrates divine providence overseeing not just the rebuilding of walls (Nehemiah's direct mission) but also the detailed organization of spiritual life. Lastly, it establishes a foundational principle of supporting those who dedicate their lives fully to spiritual service, echoing broader biblical themes of provision for Levites and, in the New Testament, for gospel ministers. This secured provision allowed the singers to minister "day and night" (1 Chr 9:33), unhindered by worldly anxieties, which is a model for dedicated spiritual ministry.