New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
Nehemiah 10
1
Here are the names of those who stamped the agreement with their seals. The governor Nehemiah, the son of Hacaliah Zedekiah,
Reference
2
Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah,
3
Pashhur, Amariah, Malkijah,
4
Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch,
5
Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah,
6
Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch,
7
Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin,
9
Here are the names of the Levites. Jeshua, the son of Azaniah Binnui, one of the sons of Henadad Kadmiel
People
10
Here are the names of those who helped them. Shebaniah, Hodiah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan,
11
Mica, Rehob, Hashabiah,
12
Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah,
13
Hodiah, Bani, Beninu
14
Here are the names of the leaders of the people. Parosh, Pahath-Moab, Elam, Zattu, Bani,
Reference
15
Bunni, Azgad, Bebai,
16
Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,
17
Ater, Hezekiah, Azzur,
18
Hodiah, Hashum, Bezai,
19
Hariph, Anathoth, Nebai,
20
Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir,
21
Meshezabel, Zadok, Jaddua,
22
Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah,
23
Hoshea, Hananiah, Hasshub,
24
Hallohesh, Pilha, Shobek,
25
Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah,
26
Ahiah, Hanan, Anan,
27
Malluch, Harim, Baanah
28
The rest of the people gathered together. They included the priests, the Levites and the men who guarded the gates. They included the singers and temple servants. They also included all those who separated themselves from the surrounding nations to obey the Law of God. All of those men brought their wives with them. And they brought all of their sons and daughters who were old enough to understand what was being agreed to.
Reference
Sin
Nehemiah 9:2
29
All of the men joined the nobles of their people. They made a firm agreement. They put themselves under a curse and took an oath. They promised to follow the Law of God. It had been given through Moses, the servant of God. They promised to obey carefully all of the commands, rules and laws of the Lord our Lord.
Reference
Judgment
Ezekiel 36:27
Psalm 119:106
Parallel theme
John 15:14
Romans 12:9
Word
2 Kings 23:3
2 Chronicles 34:31
30
The priests, Levites and people said, "We promise not to give our daughters to be married to men from the nations that are around us. And we promise not to let their daughters get married to our sons.
Reference
31
"The people around us will bring goods and grain to sell on the Sabbath day. But we won't buy anything from them on the Sabbath. In fact, we won't buy anything from them on any holy day. Every seventh year we won't farm the land. And we'll forgive people what they owe us.
Reference
32
"We will be accountable for carrying out the commands for serving in the house of our God. Each of us will give an eighth of an ounce of silver every year.
Reference
References God
Genesis 28:22
33
It will pay for the holy bread that is placed on the table in the temple. It will pay for the regular grain offerings and burnt offerings. It will pay for the offerings on the Sabbath days. It will pay for the offerings at the New Moon Feasts and appointed feasts. It will pay for the holy offerings. It will be used for sin offerings to pay for the sin of Israel. It will also pay for everything else that needs to be done at the house of our God.
Reference
34
"We are the priests, Levites and people. We have cast lots to decide when each of our families should bring a gift of wood to the house of our God. They will bring it at certain appointed times every year. The wood will be burned on the altar of the Lord our God. That's what the Law requires.
Reference
35
"We will also be accountable for bringing the first share of our crops each year. And we'll bring the first share of every fruit tree. We'll bring them to the Lord's house.
Reference
36
"Each of us will bring our oldest son to the priests who serve there. We'll also bring the male animals that were born first to their mothers among our cattle, herds and flocks. We'll bring them to the house of our God. That's what the Law requires.
Reference
Parallel theme
Exodus 13:2
37
"We will also bring the first part of the meal we grind. We'll bring the first of our grain offerings. We'll bring the first share of fruit from all of our trees. And we'll bring the first share of our olive oil and fresh wine. We'll give all of those things to the priests. They'll put them in the storerooms of the house of our God. "And we'll give a tenth of our crops to the Levites. They collect the tenth shares. They do it in all of the towns where we work.
Reference
Parallel theme
Leviticus 23:17
Numbers 18:21
Deuteronomy 18:4
References God
Deuteronomy 26:2
Sacrifice
Nehemiah 13:5
Nehemiah 13:9
38
A priest from Aaron's family line must go with the Levites when they receive the tenth shares. And the Levites must bring a tenth of those shares up to the house of our God. They must put it in the rooms where the treasures are stored.
39
"The people of Israel, including the Levites, must bring their gifts. They must bring grain, olive oil and fresh wine. They must put them in the storerooms where the articles for the temple are kept. That's where the priests stay when they are serving at the temple. The singers and the men who guard the gates also stay there. "We won't forget to take care of the house of our God."
Reference
Chapter Summary
Nehemiah Chapter 10 describes the formal covenant renewal that followed the people's confession and prayer in chapter 9. After reviewing Israel's long history of God's faithfulness and the nation's repeated disobedience, the people now move from confession to commitment. They put their names on a written covenant and promise to follow God's Law.
Nehemiah, as governor, appears first, followed by priests, Levites, and the heads of the people's families. The long list of names is significant because it demonstrates that the covenant was not merely an idea announced by Nehemiah. It was a public commitment accepted by the community's leadership and supported by the wider population.
The people specifically committed themselves to several areas of reform. First, they promised to separate themselves from the surrounding peoples in matters of marriage and religious influence. This reflected their concern that close relationships with surrounding nations could eventually lead Israel away from worshiping God.
They also promised to honor the Sabbath. They would not conduct ordinary buying and selling on the Sabbath or on other holy days. This was important because economic activity had apparently begun to compete with the community's religious commitments. They further agreed to observe the sabbatical year, allowing the land to rest and canceling certain debts as required by the Law.
A major part of the covenant concerned the Temple. The people recognized that rebuilding Jerusalem's walls was not enough. The Temple needed priests, Levites, sacrifices, supplies, and financial support. They therefore committed themselves to an annual contribution for Temple worship and promised to provide wood for the altar.
The people also promised to bring their firstfruits and other offerings. The first produce of their crops and fruit trees, as well as appropriate offerings connected with their firstborn, would be dedicated according to God's Law. They would bring grain, wine, oil, and other resources to the Temple storehouses. The Levites would collect tithes from the surrounding towns, and the priests would oversee the proper handling of these contributions.
The final commitment is particularly important: "We will not neglect the house of our God." This statement captures the purpose of the entire covenant. The people wanted to prevent the spiritual neglect that had characterized earlier generations.
The chapter therefore represents a transition from repentance to practical obedience. Chapter 9 looks backward and confesses the failures of Israel's history; chapter 10 looks forward and establishes concrete commitments for the future.
The people understood that renewed faithfulness required more than emotional repentance. It required changes in marriage practices, Sabbath observance, economic behavior, land use, financial giving, Temple support, and daily community life.
The chapter also demonstrates that spiritual renewal involves both individuals and institutions. The priests and Levites had responsibilities, but ordinary families also had responsibilities. Everyone was expected to contribute to the restoration.
The larger message is that a renewed relationship with God should produce visible changes in the way people live. The people had heard God's Law, confessed their failures, and now committed themselves to obeying it. Their covenant was an attempt to create a community in which worship, obedience, generosity, and responsibility would become part of everyday life.
Nehemiah, as governor, appears first, followed by priests, Levites, and the heads of the people's families. The long list of names is significant because it demonstrates that the covenant was not merely an idea announced by Nehemiah. It was a public commitment accepted by the community's leadership and supported by the wider population.
The people specifically committed themselves to several areas of reform. First, they promised to separate themselves from the surrounding peoples in matters of marriage and religious influence. This reflected their concern that close relationships with surrounding nations could eventually lead Israel away from worshiping God.
They also promised to honor the Sabbath. They would not conduct ordinary buying and selling on the Sabbath or on other holy days. This was important because economic activity had apparently begun to compete with the community's religious commitments. They further agreed to observe the sabbatical year, allowing the land to rest and canceling certain debts as required by the Law.
A major part of the covenant concerned the Temple. The people recognized that rebuilding Jerusalem's walls was not enough. The Temple needed priests, Levites, sacrifices, supplies, and financial support. They therefore committed themselves to an annual contribution for Temple worship and promised to provide wood for the altar.
The people also promised to bring their firstfruits and other offerings. The first produce of their crops and fruit trees, as well as appropriate offerings connected with their firstborn, would be dedicated according to God's Law. They would bring grain, wine, oil, and other resources to the Temple storehouses. The Levites would collect tithes from the surrounding towns, and the priests would oversee the proper handling of these contributions.
The final commitment is particularly important: "We will not neglect the house of our God." This statement captures the purpose of the entire covenant. The people wanted to prevent the spiritual neglect that had characterized earlier generations.
The chapter therefore represents a transition from repentance to practical obedience. Chapter 9 looks backward and confesses the failures of Israel's history; chapter 10 looks forward and establishes concrete commitments for the future.
The people understood that renewed faithfulness required more than emotional repentance. It required changes in marriage practices, Sabbath observance, economic behavior, land use, financial giving, Temple support, and daily community life.
The chapter also demonstrates that spiritual renewal involves both individuals and institutions. The priests and Levites had responsibilities, but ordinary families also had responsibilities. Everyone was expected to contribute to the restoration.
The larger message is that a renewed relationship with God should produce visible changes in the way people live. The people had heard God's Law, confessed their failures, and now committed themselves to obeying it. Their covenant was an attempt to create a community in which worship, obedience, generosity, and responsibility would become part of everyday life.