And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah:
Read it in contextThe Temple Cleansed
Start reading at Nehemiah 13:4 (Nehemiah 13:4 to Nehemiah 13:9).
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.
Lists, dedication, and later reforms show that rebuilding the wall did not remove the need for continuing faithfulness.
13:4And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah:
13:5And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which was commanded to be given to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests.
13:6But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king:
13:7And I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God.
13:8And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber.
13:9Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat offering and the frankincense.
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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? The Temple Cleansed. Read Nehemiah 13:4 through Nehemiah 13:9 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? 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 The Temple Cleansed (Nehemiah 13:4 to Nehemiah 13:9).
Start reading at Nehemiah 13:4. 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.