Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites.
Read it in contextIntermarriage Forbidden
Start reading at Nehemiah 13:23 (Nehemiah 13:23 to Nehemiah 13:31).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. Lists, dedication, and later reforms show that rebuilding the wall did not remove the need for continuing faithfulness.
13:23In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab:
13:24And their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews' language, but according to the language of each people.
13:25And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.
13:26Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin.
13:27Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives?
13:28And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was son in law to Sanballat the Horonite: therefore I chased him from me.
13:29Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites.
13:30Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business;
13:31And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Nehemiah son of Hachaliah is the named memoir writer. His account was preserved within the larger Ezra–Nehemiah historical collection, which includes additional material. Biblical references: Nehemiah 1:1; Nehemiah 2:1. stated in the text
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Nehemiah 13:1–13:31): Nehemiah confronts officials, priests, merchants, and households concerning abuses after his return to Jerusalem. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? The restored Jewish community centered on Jerusalem and later readers concerned with its rebuilding, covenant obligations, and worship. Biblical references: Nehemiah 2:17; Nehemiah 8:1; Nehemiah 10:29. book background
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? Intermarriage Forbidden. Read Nehemiah 13:23 through Nehemiah 13:31 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? This unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. Lists, dedication, and later reforms show that rebuilding the wall did not remove the need for continuing faithfulness. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The narrative dates Nehemiah's commission by Artaxerxes' reign and later describes his return to the king and subsequent visit to Jerusalem. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? It opens in Shushan and moves to Jerusalem and the surrounding communities, focusing on the wall and the life of the restored people. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Intermarriage Forbidden (Nehemiah 13:23 to Nehemiah 13:31).
Start reading at Nehemiah 13:23. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The New Testament also joins hearing God's word with doing it and building up a community. This is a canonical comparison, not a claim that Nehemiah's wall directly symbolizes a particular Christian institution. See Nehemiah 8:8, Luke 11:28, Ephesians 4:16. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Combine prayer with responsible action, truthful leadership, and care for people harmed by injustice. Building a project does not remove the continuing need for reform and faithfulness. interpretation
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Nehemiah 13
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Nehemiah combines first-person accounts, lists, and public covenant events concerning Jerusalem after exile. Distinguish Nehemiah's reported actions from commands addressed to every later community. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Lists, dedication, and later reforms show that rebuilding the wall did not remove the need for continuing faithfulness.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. Lists, dedication, and later reforms show that rebuilding the wall did not remove the need for continuing faithfulness.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Nehemiah
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Nehemiah combines first-person accounts, lists, and public covenant events concerning Jerusalem after exile. Distinguish Nehemiah's reported actions from commands addressed to every later community.