Bible Chapter Summary
Nehemiah 13 Summary
Nehemiah's Reforms Against Defilement
When the law of Moses was read to the people, those of mixed lineage were separated from Israel, as the Ammonites and Moabites were forbidden to enter God's congregation. Nehemiah discovered that Eliashib the priest had prepared a chamber for Tobiah, an enemy, and cast out his household goods. He commanded that the chambers be cleansed and the temple vessels restored. Finding the Levites' portions had not been given, he gathered them back to their posts and ensured the tithes were collected. Nehemiah contended against sabbath-breaking merchants and the Tyrians who traded on the sabbath, ordering the gates shut before the sabbath. He also reproved those who had married foreign wives from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab, chasing away even the high priest's grandson for marrying Sanballat's daughter.
Key themes
Key verses
Nehemiah 13:1
“On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever;”
Nehemiah 13:7
“And 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.”
Nehemiah 13:15
“In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals.”
Nehemiah 13:28
“And 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.”
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