Nehemiah 13 31

Nehemiah 13:31 kjv

And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.

Nehemiah 13:31 nkjv

and to bringing the wood offering and the firstfruits at appointed times. Remember me, O my God, for good!

Nehemiah 13:31 niv

I also made provision for contributions of wood at designated times, and for the firstfruits. Remember me with favor, my God.

Nehemiah 13:31 esv

and I provided for the wood offering at appointed times, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.

Nehemiah 13:31 nlt

I also made sure that the supply of wood for the altar and the first portions of the harvest were brought at the proper times. Remember this in my favor, O my God.

Nehemiah 13 verses

Nehemiah 13 31 Meaning

Nehemiah 13:31 concludes Nehemiah's book with a fervent plea to God: "Remember me, O my God, for good, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God and for its services!" It is an earnest request for divine favor and acknowledgment of his tireless and faithful service in restoring Jerusalem, its temple, and its adherence to the covenant law. He seeks not salvation, which comes by grace, but a favorable remembrance and lasting recognition of his efforts, ensuring his devoted actions for God's sanctuary and its sacred duties are not forgotten or diminished in God's sight.

Nehemiah 13 31 Context

Nehemiah 13:31 serves as the final, deeply personal prayer within the book of Nehemiah. This verse concludes the narrative of Nehemiah’s second term as governor in Jerusalem. After being away for a period, Nehemiah returned to find many of the reforms he had previously implemented (Neh 10-12) had unravelled. He confronted severe spiritual and covenantal failures among the returned exiles, including the profanation of the temple (allowing Tobiah residence), the neglect of the Levites and Temple worship, the desecration of the Sabbath, and intermarriage with foreign peoples that threatened Israel’s unique identity. With characteristic zeal, Nehemiah re-instituted discipline, enforced the Law, and restored proper order. This final prayer, like others interspersed throughout his account (13:14, 13:22, 13:29), is not a boast but an appeal to God's righteous character, reflecting his profound desire that his sacrificial labors for God’s honor and the purity of His house would be acknowledged and remembered favorably by the divine judge, contrasting his faithfulness with the widespread unfaithfulness he encountered.

Nehemiah 13 31 Word analysis

• Remember (זָכְרָה - zakhera): This is an imperative verb, functioning as an earnest plea or request. In biblical theology, God's "remembrance" signifies active and favorable divine intervention, not mere mental recall. It is fundamentally linked to God's covenant promises and His responsive actions to His people (e.g., Gen 8:1 when God remembers Noah and acts; Ps 105:8 regarding God's covenant with Abraham). Nehemiah desires God's active, positive recognition.

• me (לִּי - li): A first-person singular suffix, emphasizing the deeply personal nature of Nehemiah's appeal for himself.

• O my God (אֱלֹהַי - Elohai): This intimate, possessive address highlights Nehemiah’s personal relationship and trust in the sovereign God of Israel. It frames his service as one dedicated to his God.

• for good (לְטוֹבָה - letovah): The preposition le- "for/to" combined with tovah "goodness/benefit/welfare." This phrase clarifies the nature of the desired remembrance: it should be favorable, leading to a beneficial outcome, a blessing, or divine approval for his deeds.

• and do not wipe out (וְאַל־תֶּמַח - ve'al-temakh): Composed of the conjunctive "and" (וְ), the negative command particle "do not" (אַל), and a verb meaning "to blot out," "erase," or "annihilate." This expresses a strong desire against his actions being ignored, forgotten, or completely nullified in God's judgment. It implies God keeps a record of human deeds.

• my good deeds (חֲסָדַי - chasadi): This is the plural of chesed (חֶסֶד). Chesed is a rich Hebrew term often translated as "loving-kindness," "mercy," "steadfast love," or "covenant faithfulness." When applied to human actions toward God or His people, it denotes acts of loyal devotion, kindness, and faithful obedience stemming from a covenant relationship. Nehemiah's "good deeds" are specifically those rooted in his loyalty to God's covenant and his commitment to its principles, not just general morality.

• that I have done (אֲשֶׁר עָשִׂיתִי - asher asithi): A simple past tense clause, indicating personal responsibility and the completed nature of his significant efforts and labors.

• for the house of my God (לְבֵית אֱלֹהָי - le'beit Elohai): The object of his devoted "good deeds." "The house of my God" refers to the Temple in Jerusalem. This underscores that his actions were dedicated to restoring and maintaining the sanctity and proper functioning of God's sanctuary, the heart of Israelite worship. The repetition of "my God" reiterates his personal ownership and commitment.

• and for its services (וּלְמִשְׁמַרְתָּיו - ul'mishmartav): Refers to the "observances," "duties," "charges," or "offices" connected with the Temple. This extends beyond the physical building to encompass all the prescribed religious ceremonies, Levitical duties, and administrative responsibilities that ensure proper worship and adherence to God's law. Nehemiah’s reforms directly addressed these neglected services (e.g., tithes, Sabbath, pure priesthood).

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Remember me... for good, and do not wipe out...": This phrasing contrasts divine positive remembrance (leading to favor/reward) with the severe consequence of divine disregard or erasure. It reveals Nehemiah’s confidence in God's justice and his desire for his faithful actions to have an eternal record and consequence, reflecting the covenant promise of blessing for obedience.
  • "my good deeds... for the house of my God and for its services": This clarifies the precise nature and object of Nehemiah's diligent work. His "deeds of covenant loyalty" were directed specifically towards the proper functioning, purity, and holiness of the Temple system, thereby glorifying God and restoring the covenant integrity of the community. This was not a pursuit of personal gain but a selfless dedication to divine order.

Nehemiah 13 31 Bonus section

• This verse captures Nehemiah’s consistent self-awareness as God’s servant. Throughout the book, Nehemiah peppers his narrative with such personal prayers, underscoring that his drive came from a deep, personal commitment to God.
• The concept of God remembering or forgetting (wiping out) actions or individuals is a significant biblical theme. It speaks to God's ultimate justice and record-keeping, assuring believers that faithful service will not go unacknowledged, nor will unfaithfulness go unaddressed.
• Nehemiah's bold appeals serve as a precedent for New Testament prayers, showing confidence in God’s justice and His principle of rewarding good stewards of His work.
• The verse encapsulates the ethos of faithfulness even when human counterparts are faltering, which characterizes much of Nehemiah's work among the post-exilic community.

Nehemiah 13 31 Commentary

Nehemiah 13:31 provides the climactic spiritual resolution to Nehemiah’s remarkable ministry. Far from a boast, it is the humble yet impassioned plea of a righteous leader deeply invested in God's kingdom. Nehemiah recognizes that all his tireless reforms – from purging the Temple of foreign influence to re-establishing financial support for the Levites, enforcing Sabbath observance, and upholding covenant marriage laws – were undertaken solely for God’s honor and the proper order of His house. His use of chasadi ("my good deeds," acts of covenant loyalty) highlights that his efforts were not just administrative successes but acts of profound devotion flowing from his personal relationship with "my God." The urgency to "not wipe out" his deeds reveals a spiritual longing for his sacrifices to be eternally remembered and validated by the Divine Judge. It echoes an ancient understanding that God records and ultimately rewards the faithful service of His people. Nehemiah's final prayer serves as an enduring inspiration for believers to labor wholeheartedly for God's purposes, trusting that even when human recognition fades or opposition is great, God truly sees and justly remembers every sincere deed done in His name for His glory.