Nehemiah 7 65

Nehemiah 7:65 kjv

And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and Thummim.

Nehemiah 7:65 nkjv

And the governor said to them that they should not eat of the most holy things till a priest could consult with the Urim and Thummim.

Nehemiah 7:65 niv

The governor, therefore, ordered them not to eat any of the most sacred food until there should be a priest ministering with the Urim and Thummim.

Nehemiah 7:65 esv

The governor told them that they were not to partake of the most holy food until a priest with Urim and Thummim should arise.

Nehemiah 7:65 nlt

The governor told them not to eat the priests' share of food from the sacrifices until a priest could consult the LORD about the matter by using the Urim and Thummim ? the sacred lots.

Nehemiah 7 verses

Nehemiah 7 65 Meaning

The governor decreed that those individuals claiming priestly lineage but unable to prove it from the official records were forbidden from partaking of the "most holy things"—specific consecrated portions of sacrifices reserved exclusively for legitimate priests. This suspension of access to sacred food was to remain in effect until a priest could arise who possessed the Urim and Thummim, sacred objects used by the High Priest to discern God's direct will, thereby providing an infallible means of confirming their priestly authenticity and re-establishing divine order. The decision underscores the supreme importance of purity, legitimate lineage, and divine validation in all matters pertaining to sacred service and holy offerings in post-exilic Israel.

Nehemiah 7 65 Context

Nehemiah 7 serves primarily as a register, meticulously listing the families and individuals who returned from Babylonian exile to Jerusalem. This census parallels and elaborates upon Ezra 2, emphasizing the precise lineage and numbers of the returnees, particularly those in religious roles. Chapters 7-10 highlight the post-exilic community's commitment to rebuilding not just the physical city but also their religious identity and practices according to Mosaic Law. The immediate context of verse 65 details a critical problem: certain families, including some claiming priestly ancestry (called "the sons of Habaiah, the sons of Koz, the sons of Barzillai" in Neh 7:63), could not produce their genealogical records. Without definitive proof of their direct descent from Aaron, their priestly claims were questionable. The concern was not merely administrative; it touched upon the core tenets of Mosaic law regarding purity, separation, and legitimate service in the sanctuary. Consequently, the governor's directive in Nehemiah 7:65 addresses this ambiguity by prohibiting these individuals from partaking of the sacred priestly food, specifically the "most holy things," until such time as their divine legitimacy could be irrefutably confirmed through the Urim and Thummim, tools of divine revelation no longer consistently available at that time. This shows a rigorous dedication to maintaining the purity and order of sacred worship, prioritizing divine revelation over human uncertainty.

Nehemiah 7 65 Word analysis

• And the governor (וְהַתִּרְשָֽׁתָא֙ - vehathirshata):

  • This is a Persian loanword, meaning "the excellency" or "his excellency." It is used for Nehemiah in this book and for Zerubbabel or Sheshbazzar in Ezra.
  • It indicates the civil authority presiding over the returning community.
  • His pronouncements, though pertaining to sacred matters, carry legal and administrative weight, reflecting the integrated nature of spiritual and civil leadership in post-exilic Judah under Persian suzerainty.

• said (וַיֹּ֥אמֶר - vayomer):

  • Signifies a definitive pronouncement, a decree.
  • This was a binding instruction from the highest temporal authority of the land.

• unto them (לָהֶ֛ם - lahem):

  • Refers specifically to those mentioned in the preceding verses (63-64), families whose priestly claims were unsupported by genealogical records.
  • It distinguishes them from established, validated priestly lines.

• that they should not eat (שֶׁלֹּא־יֹאכְל֖וּ - shelo-yochlu):

  • A prohibition, an explicit command not to partake.
  • The use of the negative "lo" highlights the strictness and seriousness of the prohibition.

• of the most holy things (מִקֹּ֥דֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִֽׁים - miqqodesh haqqodashim):

  • Literally "from the holy of holies" or "the most holy." This refers to specific portions of sacrifices (e.g., sin offerings, guilt offerings, certain grain offerings) that were supremely consecrated to God.
  • These items were so sacred that only legitimate priests who were ritually clean could eat them, and usually within the confines of the tabernacle/temple courtyard.
  • It emphasizes the extreme sanctity of the provisions and the stringent requirements for those who handled them. Any defilement of these portions or unauthorized consumption was a serious offense against God (Lev 22:2-9).

• till (עַד - ’ad):

  • Indicates a specified duration or condition.
  • The prohibition was temporary, pending a definitive resolution.

• there stood up (עֲמֹ֥ד - ‘amod):

  • Means to arise, stand forth, or come into being.
  • Implies the need for a priest to emerge, clearly identified and possessing a unique divine means of authentication.

• a priest (כֹּהֵ֛ן - kohen):

  • Refers to an officiating priest from the line of Aaron, chosen by God to mediate between Him and Israel.
  • The specific need was not just for any priest, but one whose authority and connection to God were undeniably direct, allowing for definitive answers on genealogical disputes.

• with Urim and with Thummim (לְאוּרִים֙ וּלְתֻמִּֽים - le’urim uletummiym):

  • These were mysterious objects placed in the high priest's breastplate, used for discerning the divine will or obtaining yes/no answers from God.
  • Urim (אוּרִים - ’uriym): Literally "lights."
  • Thummim (תֻמִּים - tummiym): Literally "perfections" or "completeness/integrity."
  • Their function provided an oracle from God, bypassing human interpretation or genealogical records. They represented the highest form of direct divine guidance and authentication for priestly lineage and other crucial national decisions.
  • By the time of the exile, their use likely diminished or ceased, and they were not clearly recorded as present in the Second Temple. The verse reflects a yearning for the restoration of such direct divine communication, which seems to have been largely absent post-exile. This absence points to the silence before the prophetic voice would again stir with John the Baptist.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "the governor said unto them, that they should not eat": This phrase highlights the blend of administrative and religious authority. The secular governor (representing Persian authority and internal Jewish self-governance) intervenes in a sacred matter, enforcing a critical aspect of purity. It's a pragmatic decision to safeguard the holiness of the Temple service due to genealogical uncertainties, reflecting Nehemiah's leadership in re-establishing divine order.
• "of the most holy things": This specific term underlines the extreme seriousness of the situation. It's not just about any food, but consecrated portions that only designated, pure priests could handle. The sanctity of these items was paramount to God's presence among His people, reinforcing the concept that God is holy and all that pertains to Him must reflect that holiness.
• "till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim": This phrase reveals the provisional nature of the ban and points to a period of direct divine intervention. It signifies the community's acknowledgment that ultimate authority and definitive truth in such matters rested with God. The hope for the reappearance of Urim and Thummim reflects a longing for direct prophetic guidance and God's clear revelation in an era when it was largely absent, acting as a profound polemic against any reliance on mere human claims or traditions without divine validation.

Nehemiah 7 65 Bonus section

• The longing for the Urim and Thummim reflects a wider spiritual condition of the post-exilic period often characterized by a perceived 'silence' from God in terms of direct prophetic utterance, setting the stage for the intertestamental period.
• The authority exerted by the 'Tirshatha' (governor) in a spiritual matter demonstrates the unique leadership structure during the Persian period, where civil rulers played a direct role in maintaining the religious integrity of the community.
• The incident highlights the paramount importance placed on purity and lineage, not for aristocratic reasons, but because holiness (being set apart for God) was integral to Israel's covenant relationship with God and the efficacy of their worship. Impurity could bring divine displeasure upon the entire community.
• This verse illustrates a wise principle: when divine clarity is lacking, it is better to err on the side of caution and reverence rather than presume authorization or rush into sacred practices without full certainty. This patient waiting on God for definitive revelation speaks to the wisdom in spiritual leadership.

Nehemiah 7 65 Commentary

Nehemiah 7:65 is a critical verse for understanding the strictness and principles governing the post-exilic Jewish community's efforts to re-establish proper worship. It articulates a definitive measure taken by the governor, Nehemiah, concerning priestly purity and authentication. Faced with individuals claiming priestly descent but lacking documented proof, Nehemiah did not simply reject them outright, nor did he allow them unverified access to sacred duties. Instead, he instituted a temporary suspension of their right to partake in the "most holy things"—those consecrated sacrificial portions reserved only for legitimate, clean priests. This reflects a profound commitment to God's holiness and the precise regulations of the Mosaic Law concerning sacred space, sacred objects, and sacred personnel. The decision to await a priest with Urim and Thummim indicates the community's longing for direct divine guidance in matters where human records were inconclusive. These sacred instruments, used for divine revelation, represented the highest form of certainty. Their absence during this period created a vacuum in definitive pronouncements, which the community hoped would eventually be filled by God's renewed direct communication. This decision underscored that holiness and proper worship outweighed expediency, even if it meant delaying certain aspects of the sacrificial cult. It exemplified prudence and reverence in handling divine matters. Ultimately, the advent of Christ, our ultimate High Priest (Heb 4:14; 7:26-28), removed the need for such external implements like Urim and Thummim, offering direct and complete access to God for all believers.