Nehemiah 13 8

Nehemiah 13:8 kjv

And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff to Tobiah out of the chamber.

Nehemiah 13:8 nkjv

And it grieved me bitterly; therefore I threw all the household goods of Tobiah out of the room.

Nehemiah 13:8 niv

I was greatly displeased and threw all Tobiah's household goods out of the room.

Nehemiah 13:8 esv

And I was very angry, and I threw all the household furniture of Tobiah out of the chamber.

Nehemiah 13:8 nlt

I became very upset and threw all of Tobiah's belongings out of the room.

Nehemiah 13 verses

Nehemiah 13 8 Meaning

Nehemiah 13:8 details Nehemiah’s immediate and decisive action upon discovering that Tobiah the Ammonite had been given a room within the Temple precincts by Eliashib the high priest. Nehemiah commands the removal of all of Tobiah's possessions, meticulously purifies the chamber, and then personally ensures the restoration of the sacred Temple vessels, the grain offering, and the frankincense to their rightful place and function. This act signifies a zealous commitment to reclaiming the sanctity of God's house from defilement and re-establishing proper worship according to divine commands.

Nehemiah 13 8 Context

Nehemiah chapter 13 marks Nehemiah's return to Jerusalem after an unspecified period in Babylon, serving King Artaxerxes. During his absence, many of the reforms he had painstakingly implemented had unraveled. The primary issue Nehemiah confronts in this specific incident is the shocking desecration of the Temple's sanctity. Eliashib, the high priest, had allied himself with Tobiah the Ammonite, a long-standing enemy of the Jewish people and Nehemiah himself (Neh 2:10, 4:3, 6:17-19). This alliance resulted in Eliashib granting Tobiah a large chamber within the Temple courts, a space specifically designated for storing holy vessels, tithes, grain offerings, and frankincense. This was an affront to God's law (Deut 23:3-6, excluding Ammonites from the assembly), an insult to the holiness of the Temple, and practically jeopardized the provisions for the Levites who served there, whose portions were stored in these chambers. Nehemiah 13:8 is the immediate, direct response of Nehemiah to this abomination, acting decisively to purge the Temple and restore its rightful function.

Nehemiah 13 8 Word analysis

• "Then": Indicates immediate action by Nehemiah upon discovering the desecration. It highlights the urgency of restoring holiness.
• "I commanded": Hebrew: אָמְרָה֙ (ָamrah). Emphasizes Nehemiah’s personal authority and resolute leadership. He does not delegate the decision but issues the direct order himself, signifying his non-negotiable stance on Temple purity.
• "and they cleansed": Hebrew: וַיְטַֽהֲרֻ֔הָ (vay'taharuhu), from the root טהר (tahar) meaning "to be clean, pure, sanctified." This suggests more than simple sweeping. It implies a ritual or ceremonial purification, making the chamber fit for holy use again after it was defiled by Tobiah's presence.
• "the chambers": Hebrew: הַלְּשָׁכ֑וֹת (hal'lishakot), plural of לִשְׁכָּה (lishkah), meaning "chamber" or "room." These were specific storage facilities within the Temple precincts, essential for housing the offerings, tithes, and vessels required for divine service and to sustain the Levites. The defilement was specific to these vital areas.
• "and there I brought again": Hebrew: וָאָשִׁ֣יב (va'ashiv), from the root שוב (shuv), "to return, bring back, restore." Again, Nehemiah's direct involvement in the restoration process is highlighted. It implies that these items had been displaced or removed to accommodate Tobiah.
• "the vessels of the house of God": Hebrew: כְּלֵ֣י בֵית־הָאֱלֹהִ֗ים (klei Beit-Ha'Elohim). "Vessels" (כלי - kli) refers to the utensils and implements used in the sacred Temple rituals and services. "House of God" (בית האלהים - Beit-Ha'Elohim) is the Temple. These were consecrated items, made holy for divine use (Exo 27:3, Num 4:7-14), and their displacement was a profound sign of spiritual disarray and disrespect.
• "with the grain offering": Hebrew: הַמִּנְחָ֛ה (hamminchah). A specific offering, typically composed of fine flour, oil, and frankincense (Lev 2). It was a vital part of the daily worship and also contributed to the provisions for the priests. Its absence indicated a failure in fulfilling mandated worship practices.
• "and the frankincense": Hebrew: וְהַלְּבוֹנָֽה (v'hallevonah). A fragrant, resinous gum, a key component in the grain offering (Lev 2:1-2) and used specifically in connection with the showbread (Lev 24:7). It symbolized prayer ascending to God and emphasized the holiness and divine favor required in worship. Its return was crucial for the restoration of complete, undefiled worship.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Then I commanded and they cleansed the chambers": This sequence illustrates Nehemiah's powerful and effective leadership. He takes the initiative, issues the decree, and others immediately execute the purification of the compromised space. The cleansing was thorough and effective in reversing the defilement.
• "and there I brought again the vessels of the house of God, with the grain offering and the frankincense": This phrase details the content of the restoration. It was not merely about emptying the room but filling it with what rightfully belonged there – the holy implements and essential elements for worship and the sustenance of those who ministered. This action reversed the disruption of Temple operations caused by Tobiah's intrusion and Eliashib's neglect.

Nehemiah 13 8 Bonus section

• Nehemiah's personal involvement ("I commanded," "I brought again") sets a high standard for spiritual leadership, emphasizing active participation rather than passive delegation, especially when facing gross disobedience or compromise.
• The cleansing was not just physical removal but implied a ritual purification, underscoring the spiritual defilement caused by Tobiah, an Ammonite, residing in sacred Temple grounds against divine command.
• This immediate and decisive action of Nehemiah parallels later prophetic actions and Jesus' cleansing of the Temple, demonstrating a holy anger and zeal against the defilement of God's dwelling and worship.
• The presence or absence of the "grain offering" and "frankincense" directly correlates with the support of the Levites (Neh 13:10-12), whose sustenance relied on these provisions being regularly stored and distributed. Nehemiah's act directly contributed to alleviating the neglect that forced the Levites to abandon their Temple duties.

Nehemiah 13 8 Commentary

Nehemiah 13:8 encapsulates Nehemiah's resolute commitment to spiritual purity and obedience to God's Law. His personal oversight in removing Tobiah’s possessions, ritually purifying the desecrated Temple chamber, and meticulously restoring the sacred vessels and offerings reflects an uncompromising zeal for God's honor. This act was not a minor housekeeping task but a profound declaration of God's sovereignty over all aspects of Israel's life, including its holy places and leadership. The return of the grain offering and frankincense was particularly significant, symbolizing the restoration of proper sacrificial worship and the provision for the Temple servants. Nehemiah's actions stand as a testament to the imperative of defending spiritual integrity against internal corruption and external defilement. It underscores the responsibility of spiritual leaders to guard the sanctity of divine ordinances.