Nehemiah 13:13 kjv
And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren.
Nehemiah 13:13 nkjv
And I appointed as treasurers over the storehouse Shelemiah the priest and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah; and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah; for they were considered faithful, and their task was to distribute to their brethren.
Nehemiah 13:13 niv
I put Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and a Levite named Pedaiah in charge of the storerooms and made Hanan son of Zakkur, the son of Mattaniah, their assistant, because they were considered trustworthy. They were made responsible for distributing the supplies to their fellow Levites.
Nehemiah 13:13 esv
And I appointed as treasurers over the storehouses Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and Pedaiah of the Levites, and as their assistant Hanan the son of Zaccur, son of Mattaniah, for they were considered reliable, and their duty was to distribute to their brothers.
Nehemiah 13:13 nlt
I assigned supervisors for the storerooms: Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and Pedaiah, one of the Levites. And I appointed Hanan son of Zaccur and grandson of Mattaniah as their assistant. These men had an excellent reputation, and it was their job to make honest distributions to their fellow Levites.
Nehemiah 13 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Neh 10:38 | "...the Levites shall bring the tithe of the tithes to the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasury." | Tithes brought to specific storage for proper management. |
| Neh 12:44 | "And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures... for the portion of the priests and Levites..." | Earlier appointment of similar functionaries, reaffirming the system. |
| Neh 13:10 | "I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them: for the Levites and the singers... had fled every one to his field." | Context of prior failure requiring this appointment. |
| 1 Cor 4:2 | "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful." | Prerequisite for handling sacred trusts: faithfulness. |
| Lk 16:10 | "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much." | Principle of faithfulness in all levels of stewardship. |
| Prov 28:20 | "A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent." | Value of faithfulness and integrity over illicit gain. |
| Mt 25:21 | "His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant..." | Reward for faithfulness in stewardship, divine approval. |
| 1 Tim 3:2 | "A bishop then must be blameless...sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;" | Qualities for leadership in God's house, including integrity. |
| Tit 1:7 | "For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God..." | Spiritual leaders as stewards of God, requiring blamelessness. |
| Num 18:21 | "Behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service..." | Divine provision for Levites through tithes. |
| Deut 14:28-29 | "At the end of three years...and the Levite...shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied..." | Instruction for distribution of tithes for support of Levites and needy. |
| Mal 3:10 | "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house..." | God's command for bringing tithes to support His house. |
| 1 Cor 9:13-14 | "Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple...? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel." | Principle of financial support for those ministering in God's name. |
| Acts 6:3 | "Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom..." | Selecting individuals based on character for practical service. |
| Prov 20:6 | "Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?" | Emphasis on the rarity and value of true faithfulness. |
| Jer 3:15 | "And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding." | Leaders appointed by God's criteria for nourishing His people. |
| Ezek 44:30 | "...ye shall give unto the priest the first of your dough, that he may cause the blessing to rest in thine house." | Sustaining the priesthood through offerings for communal blessing. |
| Ezra 7:20 | "And whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of thy God, which thou shalt have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king’s treasury." | Demonstrates financial provision for temple service from different sources. |
| 2 Cor 8:20-21 | "...avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us: Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men." | Principle of transparency and integrity in handling funds, both divine and human. |
| 1 Pet 4:10 | "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." | All believers called to be good stewards of God's gifts. |
| Phil 2:25 | "...Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants." | Recognition of those who faithfully provide for ministers. |
| Rom 12:8 | "He that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence..." | Guidance for various functions within the body of believers, emphasizing integrity. |
| 1 Chron 26:20 | "Of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasures of the house of God, and over the treasures of the dedicated things." | Example of earlier Levitical responsibility over sacred treasuries. |
| 2 Chron 31:11-12 | "Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of the Lord... And brought in the offerings and the tithes and the dedicated things faithfully..." | King Hezekiah’s reform emphasizing proper storage and faithful management of tithes. |
Nehemiah 13 verses
Nehemiah 13 13 Meaning
Nehemiah 13:13 details Governor Nehemiah's appointment of specific individuals—a priest, a scribe, and two Levites—to manage the temple storehouses. This appointment was a crucial reform to ensure the tithes and offerings contributed by the people were faithfully and systematically distributed to the Levites and those serving in the temple, thus rectifying previous neglect and embezzlement. The chosen individuals were selected explicitly for their proven trustworthiness and faithfulness in handling these sacred resources, indicating a focus on integrity and accountability in sacred administration.
Nehemiah 13 13 Context
Nehemiah 13 is set during Nehemiah's second visit to Jerusalem, some years after his initial return to Persia as per his service to King Artaxerxes (Neh 13:6). Upon his return to Jerusalem, Nehemiah discovered significant religious and social decline among the Jewish community. Crucially, the people had neglected their responsibilities outlined in the covenant renewed in Nehemiah 10. The Levites, who depended on the tithes for their livelihood and temple service, had been abandoned (Neh 13:10) and forced to return to their fields to sustain themselves. This abandonment left the temple service severely lacking. Nehemiah promptly expelled Tobiah the Ammonite from the temple courts (Neh 13:4-9), confronted the neglect of the Levites by challenging the lack of tithes (Neh 13:10-11), and gathered the scattered tithes once more. Verse 13 immediately follows this intervention, demonstrating Nehemiah's pragmatic and administrative solution to ensure the proper, ongoing collection and distribution of tithes. It highlights his commitment not just to address symptoms but to establish a system of accountability to prevent future backsliding, specifically concerning the financial integrity supporting temple worship.
Nehemiah 13 13 Word analysis
- And I made treasurers: The phrase
וָאֲמַנֶּה(wa’amanneh), meaning "and I appointed," emphasizes Nehemiah's direct and decisive action as governor. He personally established this system of oversight. The role assigned was effectively "treasurers" or "officials over the storehouses," signifying financial management. This was an act of delegating significant responsibility to trusted individuals, reflecting a shift from chaos to ordered administration. - Over the storehouses:
עֲלֵיהֶם אֹצָרוֹת(aleihem otzarot).אוֹצָרוֹת(otzarot) refers to the treasuries or storage chambers where the tithes, offerings, and dedicated articles were kept (Neh 10:38; 12:44; 13:5). These were not just physical rooms but crucial points in the temple economy. Appointing overseers ensured that these sacred provisions were handled with integrity, distinct from common goods. - Shelemiah the priest:
שֶׁלֶמְיָה הַכֹּהֵן(Shelemya ha-kohen). Shelemiah was chosen from the priestly class. The priest’s involvement underscored the sacred nature of the tithes and the divine origin of the mandate for their collection and distribution, linking the administrative task directly to religious observance. - And Zadok the scribe:
וְצָדוֹק הַסּוֹפֵר(veTsadok ha-sofer). Zadok represents the scribal tradition, individuals who were literate, well-versed in the law, and likely skilled in record-keeping and administration. Their inclusion suggests a need for accurate accounts and adherence to the legal provisions for tithes. - And of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah:
וּמִן־הַלְוִיִּם פְּדָיָה וְעַל־יָדָם חָנָן בֶּן־זַכּוּר בֶּן־מַתַּנְיָהוּ. Two Levites are named, reflecting their primary role in temple service and their direct reliance on these provisions. Pedaiah and Hanan (the latter's full lineage emphasizes identification) signify broad representation across the temple service community, ensuring that those directly impacted by the distributions had a voice and role in its oversight. - For they were counted faithful:
כִּי נֶאֱמָנִים הֵמָּה(ki ne'emanim hema). This is the pivotal qualification.נֶאֱמָנִים(ne'emanim) is derived from the rootאָמַן(aman), meaning to be firm, steady, trustworthy, reliable. Their faithfulness, rather than their social status or political connections, was the sole stated reason for their appointment. This criterion underscores the ethical imperative of stewardship, especially concerning sacred resources. - And their office was to distribute unto their brethren:
וַעֲלֵיהֶם לַחְלֹק לַאֲחֵיהֶם.לַחְלֹק(lachlok) means "to divide, to apportion." This explicitly defines their duty: not to amass or hoard, but to fairly and orderly disburse the provisions. "Unto their brethren" indicates the intended recipients—the Levites, priests, and others serving the temple who were dependent on these provisions. It emphasizes the communal welfare aspect of their work.
Words-group analysis
- I made treasurers over the storehouses: This phrase demonstrates Nehemiah’s proactive and strategic leadership. He recognized the systemic failure and didn't just correct it temporarily, but installed a robust system with designated personnel to prevent recurrence. This points to the importance of administrative structures in maintaining spiritual order.
- Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan: Nehemiah established a diversified oversight committee. By selecting a priest, a scribe, and Levites, he ensured that representation spanned various roles and skill sets relevant to managing sacred finances (religious sanctity, record-keeping, and direct beneficiaries). This shared responsibility enhanced accountability and minimized the risk of corruption by preventing sole control.
- For they were counted faithful: This critical clause reveals the bedrock principle of Nehemiah’s appointments. Beyond skills or social standing, trustworthiness and integrity were paramount. It signifies that in matters pertaining to God’s house and resources, character is the fundamental requirement, ensuring divine approval and human confidence.
- And their office was to distribute unto their brethren: This phrase highlights the explicit and limited mandate of the appointed team. Their role was one of stewardship and service, specifically to ensure that the tithes reached those for whom they were intended. This direct focus on "distributing" for the welfare of "their brethren" demonstrates a commitment to fairness and equity in supporting the community of those serving God.
Nehemiah 13 13 Bonus section
This verse powerfully illustrates Nehemiah’s strategic foresight in leadership. He didn't just fix a problem, he built a system. This involves recognizing the importance of not only human contributions (tithes) but also the human element of their management (appointing trustworthy individuals). It demonstrates the principle that sound administration is vital for spiritual well-being. Furthermore, the committee-based approach shows Nehemiah valued distributed authority and collective responsibility, which often serves as a check against abuse. The emphasis on "faithful" points to character being the highest qualification for roles involving trust, particularly when handling resources intended for divine service. This principle transcends time, applying to any oversight role within a faith community.
Nehemiah 13 13 Commentary
Nehemiah 13:13 represents a cornerstone of Nehemiah's reforms, demonstrating his pragmatic approach to restoring order and integrity in Jerusalem's spiritual and financial life. Following his discovery that the Levites' support system had collapsed due to neglected tithes, Nehemiah moved beyond merely calling for new offerings. He established a clear, accountable, and systemic process for managing the contributions. The selection of specific individuals from priestly, scribal, and Levitical ranks ensured diverse oversight, while their core qualification as "faithful" set a high standard for sacred stewardship. This verse underscores that handling God's resources requires utmost trustworthiness, transparent administration, and a primary focus on ensuring the fair provision for those dedicated to divine service. It exemplifies wise leadership that corrects present wrongs by building resilient structures for the future, centered on the character of those entrusted with responsibilities.