Nehemiah 12:47 kjv
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.
Nehemiah 12:47 nkjv
In the days of Zerubbabel and in the days of Nehemiah all Israel gave the portions for the singers and the gatekeepers, a portion for each day. They also consecrated holy things for the Levites, and the Levites consecrated them for the children of Aaron.
Nehemiah 12:47 niv
So in the days of Zerubbabel and of Nehemiah, all Israel contributed the daily portions for the musicians and the gatekeepers. They also set aside the portion for the other Levites, and the Levites set aside the portion for the descendants of Aaron.
Nehemiah 12:47 esv
And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel and in the days of Nehemiah gave the daily portions for the singers and the gatekeepers; and they set apart that which was for the Levites; and the Levites set apart that which was for the sons of Aaron.
Nehemiah 12:47 nlt
So now, in the days of Zerubbabel and of Nehemiah, all Israel brought a daily supply of food for the singers, the gatekeepers, and the Levites. The Levites, in turn, gave a portion of what they received to the priests, the descendants of Aaron.
Nehemiah 12 47 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 18:21 | “To the children of Levi, behold, I have given all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for their service... ” | Levites' inheritance from tithes |
| Num 18:26 | “Thus you shall speak to the Levites... when you take from the people of Israel the tithe that I have given you from them for your inheritance, then you shall present a tithe of it as a contribution to the LORD.” | Levites give a tithe of their tithe to priests |
| Deut 14:27-29 | “And the Levite who is within your towns, you shall not neglect him... For the Levite has no portion or inheritance with you.” | Responsibility to support Levites |
| Deut 18:1 | “The Levitical priests, all the tribe of Levi, shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel... ” | Priests' and Levites' support from offerings |
| Neh 10:37-39 | “And we will bring the first of our dough... and our tithes to the Levites... and the Levites shall bring the tithe of the tithes to the house of our God, to the storerooms... ” | Covenant for tithes to maintain temple |
| Mal 3:10 | “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house...” | Command to bring tithes; provision for ministry |
| 1 Chr 9:17-33 | Lists roles of gatekeepers and singers; their duties and living arrangements. | Organization of temple staff |
| 1 Chr 23:24-32 | Explains the division and duties of the Levites for temple service. | Levite duties and sustenance |
| 2 Chr 31:4-5 | He commanded the people of Jerusalem to give the portion due to the priests and Levites, that they might be devoted to the Law. | King Hezekiah's command for provisions |
| Ezra 3:10-13 | Describes the laying of the temple foundation with priests and Levites leading worship. | Role of priests/Levites in rebuilding worship |
| Ezra 7:24 | “We also make known to you that it shall not be lawful to impose tribute, custom, or toll on any of the priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, Nethinim, or temple servants.” | Exemption for temple workers from taxation |
| Neh 8:9-12 | The people wept as Ezra read the Law, but were told to "eat the fat and drink the sweet... for the joy of the LORD is your strength." | Joy and provision after understanding God's law |
| Neh 12:43 | "And on that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; even the women and children rejoiced..." | Joy in God's worship and restoration |
| Hag 1:1-11 | Addresses the people's neglect in rebuilding the temple, linking it to their lack of prosperity. | Consequences of neglecting temple |
| Zec 4:6-10 | "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit," spoken to Zerubbabel, encouraging temple rebuilding. | Divine support for Zerubbabel's work |
| 1 Cor 9:13-14 | "Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple... So also the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel." | NT principle of supporting those in ministry |
| Gal 6:6 | “Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.” | Support for those who teach God's word |
| Luke 10:7 | "And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages..." | Principle of worthy laborer's wages |
| 2 Thess 3:10 | “For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.” | The need for labor and mutual support |
| Matt 10:9-10 | “Acquire no gold or silver... for the laborer deserves his food.” | Jesus' instruction on provision for disciples |
| 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.” | Support for those who serve the church |
Nehemiah 12 verses
Nehemiah 12 47 Meaning
Nehemiah 12:47 describes the consistent provision for the temple personnel during two significant periods of post-exilic Judah: the days of Zerubbabel and the days of Nehemiah. It highlights the sustained financial and material support given by all the people of Israel to the singers, gatekeepers, and Levites. This provision, meticulously given "every day his portion," reflects the community's obedience to Mosaic law and their commitment to ensuring the continuous, ordered worship and service in the newly rebuilt Temple. The verse also indicates a specific hierarchy in this dedication, where the general contributions were set apart for the Levites, and in turn, the Levites set apart portions for the priests (children of Aaron).
Nehemiah 12 47 Context
Nehemiah 12 culminates the narrative of restoration in Jerusalem. After the rebuilding and dedication of the city wall, the chapter details the genealogical lists of priests and Levites who returned from exile. Verses 27-47 describe the elaborate and joyful dedication ceremony of the wall, a significant event symbolizing Judah's spiritual and physical restoration. This grand celebration involved two large choirs marching around the wall, culminating in praise and sacrifice at the Temple. Verse 47 then shifts focus from the festive dedication to the ongoing practical support system for the Temple's continuous function. It connects the "days of Zerubbabel," who led the initial rebuilding of the Temple (Ezra 3-6), with the "days of Nehemiah," who established further religious and administrative order (Neh 8-13), demonstrating the long-standing commitment of the community to sustain the worship of God. This consistent provision was crucial for the spiritual health of the community, as the Levites and priests, supported by these offerings, could dedicate themselves fully to their sacred duties, ensuring the proper administration of temple services and the teaching of the Law.
Nehemiah 12 47 Word analysis
- And all Israel (וְכָל־יִשְׂרָאֵל, v'chol-Yisrael): This phrase emphasizes communal unity and participation. It signifies that the entire community, not just a select few or the leaders, embraced their responsibility to support divine worship. It speaks to a corporate identity re-established in covenant.
- in the days of Zerubbabel (בִּימֵי זְרֻבָּבֶל, bimēi Zrubbavel): Zerubbabel was the governor who led the first large group of returnees from Babylon and spearheaded the rebuilding of the Second Temple (Ezra 3-6). This connects the ongoing practice of giving to the initial post-exilic efforts, highlighting continuity and consistency over a long period.
- and in the days of Nehemiah (וּבִימֵי נְחֶמְיָה, u'vimēi Neḥemyah): Nehemiah was the governor responsible for rebuilding Jerusalem's walls and enacting widespread religious and social reforms. His inclusion shows that the tradition of supporting the temple personnel was maintained and reinforced under different leaders, solidifying it as a community standard.
- gave (נֹתְנִים, notnim): This Hebrew participle signifies a continuous or repeated action, emphasizing that giving was not a one-time event but an ongoing, regular practice. It conveys faithfulness in fulfilling an obligation.
- the portions (מָנוֹת, manot): Refers to allotted shares or provisions. These were prescribed allocations, likely based on Mosaic law (e.g., tithes and offerings), indicating structured and legally compliant support rather than arbitrary gifts.
- of the singers (הַמְשֹׁרְרִים, ham'shor'rim): These were Levites specifically appointed for musical service in the Temple. Their role was crucial for the vibrancy and beauty of public worship, using song and instruments to glorify God.
- and the gatekeepers (וְהַשֹּׁעֲרִים, v'hash'sho'arim): Levites responsible for guarding the Temple gates, maintaining order, and controlling access to sacred areas. Their function ensured the sanctity and security of the holy site.
- every day his portion (דְּבַר־יוֹם בְּיוֹמוֹ, d'var-yom b'yomo): Literally "the word of a day in its day." This idiomatic expression emphasizes the regularity and meticulousness of the provision—it was given consistently, day by day, ensuring sustained support for their daily needs.
- and they sanctified for the Levites (וַיְקַדְּשׁוּ לַלְוִיִּם, vay'kadd'shu lall'viyim): The verb vay'kadd'shu means "they set apart" or "they made holy." This signifies that the giving was not merely charity but an act of dedication, ritually consecrating the provisions for the Levites' sacred service. The contributions from the people were set aside specifically for sacred use, as administered by the Levites.
- and the Levites sanctified for the children of Aaron (וְהַלְוִיִּם קִדְּשׁוּ לִבְנֵי אַהֲרֹן, v'hall'viyim kidd'shu livnēi Aharon): This clarifies a tiered system of provision. The people gave to the Levites, and then the Levites, who received a portion of the tithes and offerings (Num 18:21), in turn set apart a portion of what they received for the "children of Aaron" (the priests), who directly officiated the sacrifices and temple rituals. This reflects the specific "tithe of the tithe" commanded in Mosaic Law (Num 18:26-28), where Levites were required to present a tenth of what they received to the high priest as an offering to the Lord.
Nehemiah 12 47 Bonus section
The faithful support detailed in Nehemiah 12:47 was essential for preventing the neglect and corruption that plagued temple service in other periods of Israelite history (e.g., Malachi's denunciations of withheld tithes). It illustrates a model of collective accountability and mutual dependence between the worshiping community and those consecrated for spiritual leadership. This continuous, systematic support provided the practical foundation for the rich liturgical life mentioned earlier in the chapter (the wall dedication with its singing and rejoicing). The historical perspective shows that stable and consistent support for spiritual leadership is critical for the thriving of God's people. This pattern finds its fulfillment in the New Testament principle of churches supporting their pastors and teachers, ensuring that those who minister God's Word are adequately provided for, so they can dedicate themselves wholly to their divine calling (1 Tim 5:17-18).
Nehemiah 12 47 Commentary
Nehemiah 12:47 stands as a powerful testament to the post-exilic community's re-establishment of the Mosaic covenant and their profound commitment to supporting God's house and its dedicated servants. Far from a mere logistical note, this verse emphasizes the theological underpinning of sustaining worship. The "all Israel" denotes a collective ownership and responsibility for spiritual life. The specified period ("days of Zerubbabel" and "days of Nehemiah") signifies the long-term, continuous nature of this faithfulness, not just an immediate enthusiastic response to restoration. The precision "every day his portion" highlights an orderly and systematic approach to provision, demonstrating the depth of their commitment and organizational capacity. The repeated verb "sanctified" (or "set apart") transforms a simple act of giving into a holy, dedicated offering. This reveals that the resources were understood as belonging to God, designated for His purposes, flowing hierarchically from the community through the Levites to the priests, mirroring the divine order for temple service. It ensures that those who serve in ministry are freed from worldly anxieties to focus entirely on their sacred duties, providing a vital spiritual backbone for the community's flourishing.