Nehemiah 13 14

Nehemiah 13:14 kjv

Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof.

Nehemiah 13:14 nkjv

Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for its services!

Nehemiah 13:14 niv

Remember me for this, my God, and do not blot out what I have so faithfully done for the house of my God and its services.

Nehemiah 13:14 esv

Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God and for his service.

Nehemiah 13:14 nlt

Remember this good deed, O my God, and do not forget all that I have faithfully done for the Temple of my God and its services.

Nehemiah 13 verses

Nehemiah 13 14 Meaning

Nehemiah 13:14 is a heartfelt prayer offered by Nehemiah to God. It encapsulates his plea for divine remembrance concerning the faithful and zealous deeds he performed in restoring and preserving the integrity of the temple, its services, and the levitical system. He requests that his actions, done out of loyalty and devotion for the "house of my God," not be erased from God's memory, implying a desire for divine approval and blessing on his covenantal service.

Nehemiah 13 14 Context

Nehemiah 13 follows Nehemiah's second term as governor of Jerusalem. After returning to Persia for an unknown period, Nehemiah revisits Jerusalem and is appalled to find widespread defilement and neglect of the reforms he had previously instituted. The people had violated fundamental aspects of the covenant, including allowing a profane foreigner, Tobiah, to occupy a room in the Temple, failing to provide for the Levites and singers (causing them to abandon their Temple duties), desecrating the Sabbath by engaging in commerce, and continuing the practice of intermarriage with foreign women. In this chapter, Nehemiah recounts his decisive actions to rectify these abominations. Verse 14 is specifically prayed after Nehemiah had confronted the people for neglecting the Levites, expelled Tobiah, and re-established the portions for the Levites and singers so they could return to their service in the "house of my God." It is a prayer for God to acknowledge and bless his zealous, restorative efforts.

Nehemiah 13 14 Word analysis

• Remember me (זָכְרָה לִי֙ - zakherah li): This is more than a request for recall. In Hebrew thought, God's "remembrance" signifies active favor, intervention, and blessings. It implies divine recognition and positive action on behalf of the remembered. Nehemiah seeks God's approval and a blessing on his arduous labor.
• O my God (אֱלֹהַי - Elohai): The use of the possessive suffix "-ai" makes this a deeply personal and intimate address. Nehemiah approaches the sovereign God with a sense of personal relationship and dependence, acknowledging God as his ultimate authority and source of help.
• concerning this (עַל־זֹ֖את - 'al-zot): This phrase directly links the prayer to the preceding actions Nehemiah took in reforming the Temple and restoring the portions of the Levites and singers (Neh 13:10-13). It highlights the specific context and righteousness of his deeds.
• and wipe not out (אַל־תֶּ֛מַח - 'al-temakh): A strong negative imperative. The verb machah implies to blot out, efface, annihilate, or utterly destroy. Nehemiah is asking God not to nullify or disregard his efforts, as if they might be erased from a divine record. This speaks to God's ultimate accounting of human deeds.
• my good deeds / loyal deeds / devoted deeds (חֲסָדַ֖י - khasadai): The word chesed (root of khasadai) is crucial here. It's often translated as "steadfast love," "mercy," or "kindness." In this context, applied to Nehemiah's actions, it conveys his deeds as being motivated by faithfulness, loyalty, and covenant devotion to God and His commandments. These are not merely good acts but acts demonstrating covenantal fidelity.
• that I have done (אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשִׂ֖יתִי - 'asher 'asiti): This emphasizes Nehemiah's active personal engagement and tireless effort in confronting the transgressions and enacting reforms.
• for the house of my God (לְבֵ֥ית אֱלֹהָֽי - l'veit Elohai): This clearly states the ultimate purpose and beneficiary of Nehemiah's actions – the Temple, God's dwelling place, and the proper functioning of His worship. His motivation was for God's glory and the purity of His sanctuary, not personal gain or recognition.

• Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out: This phrase highlights Nehemiah's deep desire for God to acknowledge his obedience and diligent service. He implicitly understands God as a record-keeper and a righteous judge who rewards according to actions. It is a plea for God to act favorably on his behalf based on his devoted actions.
• my good/loyal deeds that I have done for the house of my God: This stresses the qualitative nature and specific focus of Nehemiah's actions. They were not arbitrary "good works" but rather specific, Spirit-led efforts aimed at restoring and sanctifying the central place of worship, all done out of devotion and loyalty to God's covenant.

Nehemiah 13 14 Bonus section

Nehemiah's prayer reflects a core aspect of biblical understanding concerning God's justice and His active role in the affairs of His people. The "book of remembrance" mentioned in Malachi 3:16 further illuminates this concept, portraying God as meticulously recording the deeds of His faithful servants. While salvation is consistently presented as a gift of God's grace through faith, both in the Old and New Testaments, there is a consistent theme of God acknowledging, remembering, and even rewarding faithful service. This is not for earning salvation, but for divine commendation and a display of God's perfect justice. Nehemiah, as a post-exilic leader, demonstrates exemplary obedience and selfless leadership. His prayer becomes a template for any believer who seeks to serve God faithfully, reminding us to fix our gaze on God's approval rather than human recognition, knowing that our "labor is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Cor 15:58).

Nehemiah 13 14 Commentary

Nehemiah's prayer in Nehemiah 13:14 is a profound expression of a faithful servant's heart. Despite his tireless and effective efforts in reforming Israel, he knew that ultimate validation and blessing rest solely with God. His plea to be "remembered" and for his "loyal deeds" not to be "wiped out" is not an appeal to merit salvation, which the Old Testament never taught through works, but rather a plea for divine recognition and favor upon his obedient service within God's covenant. It exemplifies a godly leader's dependence on divine approval rather than human applause. This prayer echoes a common sentiment among devoted individuals in Scripture who committed themselves wholeheartedly to God's purposes, recognizing that while their work was for God's glory, God would, in His justice, remember and acknowledge their faithfulness. It serves as an encouragement to all believers to serve God diligently and sincerely, with the knowledge that He sees and remembers every deed done in faith for His glory, especially concerning His Church.