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;
2 Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.
3 Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.
4 And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah:
5 And 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.
6 But 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:
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.
8 And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff to Tobiah out of the chamber.
9 Then 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.
10 And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them: for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field.
11 Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.
12 Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries.
13 And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren.
14 Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof.
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.
16 There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.
17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day?
18 Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath.
19 And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day.
20 So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice.
21 Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath.
22 And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.
23 In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab:
24 And 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.
25 And 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.
26 Did 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.
27 Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives?
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.
29 Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites.
30 Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business;
31 And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.
1 On that day H3117 they read H7121 in the book H5612 of Moses H4872 in the audience H241 of the people; H5971 and therein was found H4672 written, H3789 that the Ammonite H5984 and the Moabite H4125 should not come H935 into the congregation H6951 of God H430 for H5704 ever; H5769
2 Because they met H6923 not the children H1121 of Israel H3478 with bread H3899 and with water, H4325 but hired H7936 Balaam H1109 against them, that he should curse H7043 them: howbeit our God H430 turned H2015 the curse H7045 into a blessing. H1293
3 Now it came to pass, when they had heard H8085 the law, H8451 that they separated H914 from Israel H3478 all the mixed multitude. H6154
4 And before H6440 this, Eliashib H475 the priest, H3548 having the oversight H5414 of the chamber H3957 of the house H1004 of our God, H430 was allied H7138 unto Tobiah: H2900
5 And he had prepared H6213 for him a great H1419 chamber, H3957 where aforetime H6440 they laid H5414 the meat offerings, H4503 the frankincense, H3828 and the vessels, H3627 and the tithes H4643 of the corn, H1715 the new wine, H8492 and the oil, H3323 which was commanded H4687 to be given to the Levites, H3881 and the singers, H7891 and the porters; H7778 and the offerings H8641 of the priests. H3548
6 But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem: H3389 for in the two H8147 and thirtieth H7970 year H8141 of Artaxerxes H783 king H4428 of Babylon H894 came H935 I unto the king, H4428 and after H7093 certain days H3117 obtained I leave H7592 of the king: H4428
7 And I came H935 to Jerusalem, H3389 and understood H995 of the evil H7451 that Eliashib H475 did H6213 for Tobiah, H2900 in preparing H6213 him a chamber H5393 in the courts H2691 of the house H1004 of God. H430
8 And it grieved H3415 me sore: H3966 therefore I cast forth H7993 all the household H1004 stuff H3627 of Tobiah H2900 out of H2351 the chamber. H3957
9 Then I commanded, H559 and they cleansed H2891 the chambers: H3957 and thither brought I again H7725 the vessels H3627 of the house H1004 of God, H430 with the meat offering H4503 and the frankincense. H3828
10 And I perceived H3045 that the portions H4521 of the Levites H3881 had not been given H5414 them: for the Levites H3881 and the singers, H7891 that did H6213 the work, H4399 were fled H1272 every one H376 to his field. H7704
11 Then contended H7378 I with the rulers, H5461 and said, H559 Why is the house H1004 of God H430 forsaken? H5800 And I gathered them together, H6908 and set H5975 them in their place. H5977
12 Then brought H935 all Judah H3063 the tithe H4643 of the corn H1715 and the new wine H8492 and the oil H3323 unto the treasuries. H214
13 And I made treasurers H686 over the treasuries, H214 Shelemiah H8018 the priest, H3548 and Zadok H6659 the scribe, H5608 and of the Levites, H3881 Pedaiah: H6305 and next to them H3027 was Hanan H2605 the son H1121 of Zaccur, H2139 the son H1121 of Mattaniah: H4983 for they were counted H2803 faithful, H539 and their office was to distribute H2505 unto their brethren. H251
14 Remember H2142 me, O my God, H430 concerning this, and wipe not out H4229 my good H2617 deeds that I have done H6213 for the house H1004 of my God, H430 and for the offices H4929 thereof.
15 In those days H3117 saw H7200 I in Judah H3063 some treading H1869 wine presses H1660 on the sabbath, H7676 and bringing in H935 sheaves, H6194 and lading H6006 asses; H2543 as also wine, H3196 grapes, H6025 and figs, H8384 and all manner of burdens, H4853 which they brought H935 into Jerusalem H3389 on the sabbath H7676 day: H3117 and I testified H5749 against them in the day H3117 wherein they sold H4376 victuals. H6718
16 There dwelt H3427 men of Tyre H6876 also therein, which brought H935 fish, H1709 H1709 and all manner of ware, H4377 and sold H4376 on the sabbath H7676 unto the children H1121 of Judah, H3063 and in Jerusalem. H3389
17 Then I contended H7378 with the nobles H2715 of Judah, H3063 and said H559 unto them, What evil H7451 thing H1697 is this that ye do, H6213 and profane H2490 the sabbath H7676 day? H3117
18 Did H6213 not your fathers H1 thus, and did H935 not our God H430 bring H935 all this evil H7451 upon us, and upon this city? H5892 yet ye bring H935 more H3254 wrath H2740 upon Israel H3478 by profaning H2490 the sabbath. H7676
19 And it came to pass, that when the gates H8179 of Jerusalem H3389 began to be dark H6751 before H6440 the sabbath, H7676 I commanded H559 that the gates H1817 should be shut, H5462 and charged H559 that they should not be opened H6605 till after H310 the sabbath: H7676 and some of my servants H5288 set H5975 I at the gates, H8179 that there should no burden H4853 be brought in H935 on the sabbath H7676 day. H3117
20 So the merchants H7402 and sellers H4376 of all kind of ware H4465 lodged H3885 without H2351 Jerusalem H3389 once H6471 or twice. H8147
21 Then I testified H5749 against them, and said H559 unto them, Why lodge H3885 ye about H5048 the wall? H2346 if ye do so again, H8138 I will lay H7971 hands H3027 on you. From that time H6256 forth came H935 they no more on the sabbath. H7676
22 And I commanded H559 the Levites H3881 that they should cleanse H2891 themselves, and that they should come H935 and keep H8104 the gates, H8179 to sanctify H6942 the sabbath H7676 day. H3117 Remember H2142 me, O my God, H430 concerning this also, and spare H2347 me according to the greatness H7230 of thy mercy. H2617
23 In those days H3117 also saw H7200 I Jews H3064 that had married H3427 wives H802 of Ashdod, H796 of Ammon, H5984 and of Moab: H4125
24 And their children H1121 spake H1696 half H2677 in the speech of Ashdod, H797 and could H5234 not speak H1696 in the Jews' language, H3066 but according to the language H3956 of each H5971 people. H5971
25 And I contended H7378 with them, and cursed H7043 them, and smote H5221 certain H582 of them, and plucked off their hair, H4803 and made them swear H7650 by God, H430 saying, Ye shall not give H5414 your daughters H1323 unto their sons, H1121 nor take H5375 their daughters H1323 unto your sons, H1121 or for yourselves.
26 Did not Solomon H8010 king H4428 of Israel H3478 sin H2398 by these things? yet among many H7227 nations H1471 was there no king H4428 like him, who was beloved H157 of his God, H430 and God H430 made H5414 him king H4428 over all Israel: H3478 nevertheless even him H1571 did outlandish H5237 women H802 cause to sin. H2398
27 Shall we then hearken H8085 unto you to do H6213 all this great H1419 evil, H7451 to transgress H4603 against our God H430 in marrying H3427 strange H5237 wives? H802
28 And one of the sons H1121 of Joiada, H3111 the son H1121 of Eliashib H475 the high H1419 priest, H3548 was son in law H2860 to Sanballat H5571 the Horonite: H2772 therefore I chased H1272 him from me.
29 Remember H2142 them, O my God, H430 because they have defiled H1352 the priesthood, H3550 and the covenant H1285 of the priesthood, H3550 and of the Levites. H3881
30 Thus cleansed H2891 I them from all strangers, H5236 and appointed H5975 the wards H4931 of the priests H3548 and the Levites, H3881 every one H376 in his business; H4399
31 And for the wood H6086 offering, H7133 at times H6256 appointed, H2163 and for the firstfruits. H1061 Remember H2142 me, O my God, H430 for good. H2896
1 On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that an Ammonite and a Moabite should not enter into the assembly of God for ever,
2 because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, to curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.
3 And it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.
4 Now before this, Eliashib the priest, who was appointed over the chambers of the house of our God, being allied unto Tobiah,
5 had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meal-offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the grain, the new wine, and the oil, which were given by commandment to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the heave-offerings for the priests.
6 But in all this `time' I was not at Jerusalem; for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I went unto the king: and after certain days asked I leave of the king,
7 and I came to Jerusalem, and understood the evil that Eliashib had done for Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God.
8 And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber.
9 Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meal-offerings and the frankincense.
10 And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them; so that the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field.
11 Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.
12 Then brought all Judah the tithe of the grain and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries.
13 And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah; for they were counted faithful, and their business was to distribute unto their brethren.
14 Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the observances thereof.
15 In those days saw I in Judah some men treading wine-presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses `therewith'; 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.
16 There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, who brought in fish, and all manner of wares, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.
17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day?
18 Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath.
19 And it came to pass that, when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the doors should be shut, and commanded that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I over the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day.
20 So the merchants and sellers of all kind of wares lodged without Jerusalem once or twice.
21 Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath.
22 And I commanded the Levites that they should purify themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember unto me, O my God, this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy lovingkindness.
23 In those days also saw I the Jews that had married women of Ashdod, of Ammon, `and' of Moab:
24 and 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.
25 And 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 for your sons, or for yourselves.
26 Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, and he was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did foreign women cause to sin.
27 Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to trespass against our God in marrying foreign women?
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.
29 Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites.
30 Thus cleansed I them from all foreigners, and appointed charges for the priests and for the Levites, every one in his work;
31 and for the wood-offering, at times appointed, and for the first-fruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.
1 On that day there was read in the book of Moses, in the ears of the people, and it hath been found written in it that an Ammonite and Moabite doth not come into the assembly of God -- unto the age,
2 because they have not come before the sons of Israel with bread and with water, and hire against them Balaam to revile them, and our God turneth the reviling into a blessing.
3 And it cometh to pass, at their hearing the law, that they separate all the mixed people from Israel.
4 And before this Eliashib the priest, appointed over chambers of the house of our God, `is' a relation of Tobiah,
5 and he maketh for him a great chamber, and there they were formerly putting the present, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithe of the corn, the new wine, and the oil -- the commanded thing of the Levites, and the singers, and the gatekeepers -- and the heave-offering of the priests.
6 And during all this I was not in Jerusalem, for in the thirty and second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon did I come unto the king, and at the end of days I have asked of the king,
7 and I come in to Jerusalem, and understand concerning the evil that Eliashib hath done for Tobiah, to make to him a chamber in the courts of the house of God,
8 and it is very displeasing to me, and I cast all the vessels of the house of Tobiah without, out of the chamber,
9 and I speak, and they cleanse the chambers, and I bring back thither the vessels of the house of God with the present and the frankincense.
10 And I know that the portions of the Levites have not been given, and they flee each to his field -- the Levites and the singers, doing the work.
11 And I strive with the prefects, and say, `Wherefore hath the house of God been forsaken?' and I gather them, and set them on their station;
12 and all Judah have brought in the tithe of the corn, and of the new wine, and of the oil, to the treasuries.
13 And I appoint treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and Pedaiah of the Levites; and by their hand `is' Hanan son of Zaccur, son of Mattaniah, for stedfast they have been reckoned, and on them `it is' to give a portion to their brethren.
14 Be mindful of me, O my God, for this, and do not blot out my kind acts that I have done, for the house of my God, and for its charges.
15 In those days I have seen in Judah those treading wine-vats on sabbath, and bringing in the sheaves, and lading on the asses, and also, wine, grapes, and figs, and every burden, yea, they are bringing in to Jerusalem on the sabbath-day, and I testify in the day of their selling provision.
16 And the Tyrians have dwelt in it, bringing in fish, and every ware, and selling on sabbath to the sons of Judah and in Jerusalem.
17 And I strive with the freemen of Judah, and say to them, `What `is' this evil thing that ye are doing, and polluting the sabbath-day?
18 Thus did not your fathers do? and our God bringeth in on us all this evil, and on this city, and ye are adding fierceness on Israel, to pollute the sabbath.'
19 And it cometh to pass, when the gates of Jerusalem have been dark before the sabbath, that I speak, and the doors are shut, and I say, that they do not open them till after the sabbath; and of my servants I have stationed at the gates; there doth not come in a burden on the sabbath-day.
20 And they lodge -- the merchants and sellers of all ware -- at the outside of Jerusalem, once or twice,
21 and I testify against them, and say unto them, `Wherefore are ye lodging over-against the wall? if ye repeat `it', a hand I put forth upon you;' from that time they have not come in on the sabbath.
22 And I say to the Levites, that they be cleansed, and, coming in, keeping the gates, to sanctify the sabbath-day. Also, this, remember for me, O my God, and have pity on me, according to the abundance of Thy kindness.
23 Also, in those days, I have seen the Jews `who' have settled women of Ashdod, of Ammon, of Moab.
24 And of their sons, half are speaking Ashdoditish -- and are not knowing to speak Jewish -- and according to the language of people and people.
25 And I strive with them, and declare them vile, and smite certain of them, and pluck off their hair, and cause them to swear by God, `Ye do not give your daughters to their sons, nor do ye take of their daughters to your sons, and to yourselves.
26 `By these did not Solomon king of Israel sin? and among the many nations there was no king like him, and beloved by his God he was, and God maketh him king over all Israel -- even him did the strange women cause to sin.
27 And to you do we hearken to do all this great evil, to trespass against our God, to settle strange women?'
28 And `one' of the sons of Joiada son of Eliashib the high priest, `is' son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite, and I cause him to flee from off me.
29 Be mindful of them, O my God, for the redeemed of the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites.
30 And I have cleansed them from every stranger, and appoint charges to priests and to Levites, each in his work,
31 and for the wood-offering at appointed times, and for first-fruits. Be mindful of me, O my God, for good.
1 On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and there was found written in it that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever;
2 because they had not met the children of Israel with bread and with water, and had hired Balaam against them, to curse them; but our God turned the curse into blessing.
3 And it came to pass, when they heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.
4 And before this, Eliashib the priest, who had the oversight of the chambers of the house of our God, a kinsman of Tobijah,
5 had prepared for him a great chamber, where formerly they laid the oblations, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine and the oil, which was commanded for the Levites and the singers and the doorkeepers, and the heave-offerings of the priests.
6 And during all that [time] I was not at Jerusalem; for in the two-and-thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I came to the king; and after some time I obtained leave of the king.
7 And I came to Jerusalem, and observed the evil that Eliashib had done for Tobijah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God.
8 And it grieved me much, and I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobijah out of the chamber.
9 And I commanded, and they purified the chambers; and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, the oblation and the frankincense.
10 And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given, and that the Levites and the singers that did the work had fled every one to his field.
11 Then I contended with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together and set them in their place.
12 And all Judah brought the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil into the storehouses.
13 And I made storekeepers over the storehouses: Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah; and subordinate to them, Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah; for they were esteemed faithful, and their office was to distribute to their brethren.
14 Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds which I have done for the house of my God, and for the charges thereof!
15 In those days I saw in Judah some treading winepresses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading them on asses; as also wine, grapes and figs, and all manner of burdens; and they brought them into Jerusalem on the sabbath day; and I protested in the day on which they sold the victuals.
16 Men of Tyre also dwelt therein, who brought fish and all manner of ware, and sold it on the sabbath to the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.
17 And I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said to them, What evil thing is this which ye do, profaning the sabbath day?
18 Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us and upon this city? And ye will bring more wrath against Israel by profaning the sabbath.
19 And it came to pass, that when it began to be dark in the gates of Jerusalem before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut; and I commanded that they should not be opened till after the sabbath. And I set [some] of my servants at the gates, so that no burden should be brought in on the sabbath day.
20 And the dealers and sellers of all kind of ware passed the night without Jerusalem once or twice.
21 And I testified against them, and said to them, Why do ye pass the night before the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth they came not on the sabbath.
22 And I commanded the Levites that they should purify themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to hallow the sabbath day. Remember this also for me, my God, and spare me according to thy great loving-kindness!
23 In those days also I saw Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, [and] of Moab.
24 And their children spoke half in the language of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews' language, but according to the language of each people.
25 And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them and plucked off their hair, and adjured them by God [saying], Ye shall not give your daughters to their sons, nor take their daughters for your sons or for yourselves.
26 Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? Yet among the many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel; but even him did foreign wives cause to sin.
27 And should we hearken to you to do all this great evil, to act unfaithfully to our God by marrying foreign wives?
28 And [one] of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite; and I chased him from me.
29 Remember them, my God, for they are polluters of the priesthood, and of the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites!
30 And I purified them from all foreigners, and appointed the charges of the priests and the Levites, every one in his service;
31 and for the wood-offering, at times appointed, and for the first-fruits. Remember me, O my God, for good!
1 On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that an Ammonite and a Moabite should not enter into the assembly of God forever,
2 because they didn't meet the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, to curse them: however our God turned the curse into a blessing.
3 It came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.
4 Now before this, Eliashib the priest, who was appointed over the chambers of the house of our God, being allied to Tobiah,
5 had prepared for him a great chamber, where before they laid the meal-offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the grain, the new wine, and the oil, which were given by commandment to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the heave-offerings for the priests.
6 But in all this [time] I was not at Jerusalem; for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I went to the king: and after certain days asked I leave of the king,
7 and I came to Jerusalem, and understood the evil that Eliashib had done for Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God.
8 It grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber.
9 Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and there brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meal-offerings and the frankincense.
10 I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them; so that the Levites and the singers, who did the work, were fled everyone to his field.
11 Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? I gathered them together, and set them in their place.
12 Then brought all Judah the tithe of the grain and the new wine and the oil to the treasuries.
13 I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah; for they were counted faithful, and their business was to distribute to their brothers.
14 Remember me, my God, concerning this, and don't wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the observances of it.
15 In those days saw I in Judah some men treading wine-presses on the Sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading donkeys [therewith]; 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 in which they sold food.
16 There lived men of Tyre also therein, who brought in fish, and all manner of wares, and sold on the Sabbath to the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.
17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said to them, What evil thing is this that you do, and profane the Sabbath day?
18 Didn't your fathers do thus, and did not our God bring all this evil on us, and on this city? yet you bring more wrath on Israel by profaning the Sabbath.
19 It came to pass that, when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the Sabbath, I commanded that the doors should be shut, and commanded that they should not be opened until after the Sabbath: and some of my servants set I over the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the Sabbath day.
20 So the merchants and sellers of all kind of wares lodged outside of Jerusalem once or twice.
21 Then I testified against them, and said to them, Why lodge you about the wall? if you do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the Sabbath.
22 I commanded the Levites that they should purify themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the Sabbath day. Remember to me, my God, this also, and spare me according to the greatness of your loving kindness.
23 In those days also saw I the Jews who had married women of Ashdod, of Ammon, [and] of Moab:
24 and their children spoke half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews' language, but according to the language of each people.
25 I contended with them, and cursed them, and struck certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, [saying], You shall not give your daughters to their sons, nor take their daughters for your sons, or for yourselves.
26 Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, and he was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did foreign women cause to sin.
27 Shall we then listen to you to do all this great evil, to trespass against our God in marrying foreign women?
28 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.
29 Remember them, my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites.
30 Thus cleansed I them from all foreigners, and appointed charges for the priests and for the Levites, everyone in his work;
31 and for the wood-offering, at times appointed, and for the first fruits. Remember me, my God, for good.
1 On that day there was a reading from the book of Moses in the hearing of the people; and they saw that it said in the book that no Ammonite or Moabite might ever come into the meeting of God;
2 Because they did not give the children of Israel bread and water when they came to them, but got Balaam to put a curse on them: though the curse was turned into a blessing by our God.
3 So after hearing the law, they took out of Israel all the mixed people.
4 Now before this, Eliashib the priest, who had been placed over the rooms of the house of our God, being a friend of Tobiah,
5 Had made ready for him a great room, where at one time they kept the meal offerings, the perfume, and the vessels and the tenths of the grain and wine and oil which were given by order to the Levites and the music-makers and the door-keepers, and the lifted offerings for the priests.
6 But all this time I was not at Jerusalem: for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes, king of Babylon, I went to the king; and after some days, I got the king to let me go,
7 And I came to Jerusalem; and it was clear to me what evil Eliashib had done for Tobiah, in making ready for him a room in the buildings of the house of God.
8 And it was evil in my eyes: so I had all Tobiah's things put out of the room.
9 Then I gave orders, and they made the rooms clean: and I put back in them the vessels of the house of God, with the meal offerings and the perfume.
10 And I saw that the Levites had not been given what was needed for their support; so that the Levites and the music-makers, who did the work, had gone away, everyone to his field.
11 Then I made protests to the chiefs, and said, Why has the house of God been given up? And I got them together and put them in their places.
12 Then all Judah came with the tenth part of the grain and wine and oil and put it into the store-houses.
13 And I made controllers over the store-houses, Shelemiah the priest and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and with them was Hanan, the son of Zaccur the son of Mattaniah: they were taken to be true men and their business was the distribution of these things to their brothers.
14 Keep me in mind, O my God, in connection with this, and do not let the good which I have done for the house of my God and its worship go from your memory completely.
15 In those days, I saw in Judah some who were crushing grapes on the Sabbath, and getting in grain and putting it on asses; as well as wine and grapes and figs and all sorts of goods which they took into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day: and I gave witness against them on the day when they were marketing food.
16 And there were men of Tyre there, who came with fish and all sorts of goods, trading with the children of Judah and in Jerusalem on the Sabbath.
17 Then I made protests to the chiefs of Judah, and said to them, What is this evil which you are doing, not keeping the Sabbath day holy?
18 Did not your fathers do the same, and did not our God send all this evil on us and on this town? but you are causing more wrath to come on Israel by not keeping the Sabbath holy.
19 And so, when the streets of Jerusalem were getting dark before the Sabbath, I gave orders for the doors to be shut and not to be open again till after the Sabbath: and I put some of my servants by the door so that nothing might be taken in on the Sabbath day.
20 So the traders in all sorts of goods took their night's rest outside Jerusalem once or twice.
21 Then I gave witness against them and said, Why are you waiting all night by the wall? if you do so again I will have you taken prisoners. From that time they did not come again on the Sabbath.
22 And I gave the Levites orders to make themselves clean and come and keep the doors and make the Sabbath holy. Keep this in mind to my credit, O my God, and have mercy on me, for great is your mercy.
23 And in those days I saw the Jews who were married to women of Ashdod and Ammon and Moab:
24 And their children were talking half in the language of Ashdod; they had no knowledge of the Jews' language, but made use of the language of the two peoples.
25 And I took up the cause against them, cursing them and giving blows to some of them and pulling out their hair; and I made them take an oath by God, saying, You are not to give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons or for yourselves.
26 Was it not in these things that Solomon, king of Israel, did wrong? among a number of nations there was no king like him, and he was dear to his God, and God made him king over all Israel: but even he was made to do evil by strange women.
27 Are we then without protest to let you do all this great evil, sinning against our God by taking strange women for your wives?
28 And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib, the chief priest, was son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite: so I sent him away from me.
29 Keep them in mind, O my God, because they have put shame on the priests' name and on the agreement of the priests and the Levites.
30 So I made them clean from all strange people, and had regular watches fixed for the priests and for the Levites, everyone in his work;
31 And for the wood offering, at fixed times, and for the first fruits. Keep me in mind, O my God, for good.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » John Gill's Exposition of the Bible » Commentary on Nehemiah 13
Commentary on Nehemiah 13 John Gill's Exposition of the Bible
INTRODUCTION TO NEHEMIAH 13
This chapter relates the reformation of various abuses crept in among the Jews by Nehemiah, who removed the Moabites and Ammonites, mixed with them, Nehemiah 13:1, threw the household goods of Tobiah out of a chamber of the temple, and restored it to its former use, Nehemiah 13:4, took care that the Levites had their portion given them which had been kept from them, Nehemiah 13:10 prevented the profanation of the sabbath by selling goods on that day, Nehemiah 13:15, and put a stop to the marrying of strange wives, which had prevailed again among them, Nehemiah 13:23.
On that day,.... Not when the wall of the city was dedicated, nor quickly after; for it cannot be thought that people should be so corrupted so soon as this chapter shows; but when Nehemiah had governed them twelve years, and had been at Babylon, and was returned again, as appears from Nehemiah 13:6, compared with Nehemiah 2:1,
they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; for from the time of the reading of the law by Ezra, Nehemiah 8:1 it became a custom to read the law publicly:
and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of the Lord; that is, be admitted to marry with any of the people of Israel; See Gill on Deuteronomy 23:3.
Because they met not the children of Israel with bread,.... The same reason is given, and what follows in this verse is observed in Deuteronomy 23:4; See Gill on Deuteronomy 23:4, Deuteronomy 23:5.
Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law,.... Or the law concerning the Ammonite and the Moabite, and which included other nations also, and forbad marriage with them:
that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude; all of these, and other nations, they had contracted affinity with.
And before this,.... Before the above law was read, and observed and acted upon:
Eliashib the priest; whom some take to be a common priest; so Bishop UsherF1Annal. Vet. Test. p. 200. ; but he seems rather to be the high priest, by comparing it with Nehemiah 13:28,
having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God; which has led some to the notion of his being a common priest; but chamber may be put for chambers, and those for the whole house or temple, which the high priest had the greatest concern in, and oversight of:
was allied to Tobiah; the servant and Ammonite, an inveterate enemy of the Jews, Nehemiah 2:10, having married a daughter of Shecaniah, and his son a daughter of Meshullam, who were both priests, and so as it seems related to Eliashib, Nehemiah 6:18.
And he had prepared for him a great chamber,.... In the temple, by throwing together several chambers, as Piscator observes:
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 to the singers, and the porters, and the offerings of the priests; see Nehemiah 10:37.
But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem,.... Nehemiah, who was absent all the while these things were done by Eliashib, or otherwise they would not have been suffered:
for in the thirty second year of Artaxerxes, king of Babylon, came I unto the king from Jerusalem; after he had governed there twelve years, to whom he came to give an account of affairs there; this was not Xerxes, as someF2Apud Ganz. Tzemach David, par. 2. fol. 8. 2. have thought, for he reigned but twenty one years; but Darius Hystaspis, who reigned thirty six years, according to Ptolemy's canon, and with which HerodotusF3Polymnia, sive, l. 7. c. 1. agrees; he is called king of Babylon, because that, with the whole empire, was in the hands of the king of Persia, as it had been from the times of Cyrus:
and after certain days obtained I leave of the king; to return to Jerusalem again; not after five years, as Dr. PrideauxF4Connect. par. 1. p. 397. thinks; for it is not likely that Nehemiah would stay so long ere he asked leave of the king to return to Jerusalem, which was so much his care, and on whose prosperity his heart was so much set; rather at most it was but a full year he stayed ere he got leave to return, as Vatablus and Piscator interpret it; in which sense the phrase of certain days is used in Leviticus 25:29, and in other places quoted by the last mentioned interpreter.
And I came to Jerusalem,.... Through the king's leave, and with a commission from him:
and understood of the evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah; was informed of the mal-administration of his office:
in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God; whereby it was profaned and polluted.
And it grieved me sore,.... That such a sacred place should be converted to common use, and to that of an Heathen, and of an enemy to the Jews and their religion:
therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber; as being chief magistrate, and acting by commission under the king of Persia, and to regulate everything amiss, according to the Jewish laws, as well as those of the king, his power being, no doubt, as large as Ezra's, Ezra 7:25, by "household stuff" is meant what is movable in the house, as chairs, tables, vessels for dressing, caring, drinking, &c. there are various opinions about this with the ancientsF5Vid. Alex. ab Alex. Genial. Dier. l. 1. c. 19. .
Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers,.... By which it appears there were more than one, or that several were thrown into one; which was done not only by washing them, but as this was a ceremonial uncleanness, contracted by the habitation of an Heathen in them, their purification might be by the water of separation, Numbers 19:9
and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat offering and the frankincense; replaced them where they were before.
And I perceived that the portion of the Levites had not been given them,.... The tithes, being removed to some other place, might be converted to another use; or the people, seeing what was done by Eliashib, neglected to bring them in, as judging they would not be properly disposed of; and besides, the Levites had deserted their station upon this:
for the Levites and the singers that did the work were fled everyone to his field; to look after their country farms, or to get their living by agriculture, since there was no care taken of them at Jerusalem; see Nehemiah 12:28.
Then I contended with the rulers;.... The ecclesiastical rulers, the priests that were appointed over those chambers, Nehemiah 12:44, he expostulated with them warmly, and chode them severely for their conduct:
and said, why is the house of God forsaken? no care being taken of the maintenance of the ministers of it, contrary to the promise made Nehemiah 10:37,
and l gathered them together; the Levites and singers that were dispersed in the countries round about:
and set them in their place; in the temple, and in the course of their ministry there.
Then brought all Judah the tithe of corn, and the new wine, and the oil, into the treasuries. When they saw a reformation made, and things were going in their proper channel, and a right use would be made of their tithes, these given to proper persons, who were now reinstated in their office.
And I made treasurers over the treasuries,.... New ones, since the others appointed were either dead or unfaithful to their trust, Nehemiah 12:44,
Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe; who also was a priest, as Ezra was both priest and scribe; one that besides his office as a priest was expert in the law, and capable of instructing others:
and of the Levites, Pedaiah, and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah, for they were counted faithful; had a good report of all that knew them, for men of fidelity and uprightness, and so fit for such a trust:
and their office was to distribute unto their brethren; to deliver to them their share in the tithes, first fruits, &c.
Remember me, O my God, concerning this,.... Not in a way of strict justice, as if he thought he merited anything at the hand of God for what he had done; but in a way of grace and mercy, that he would graciously accept thereof, as done for the honour of his name, and overlook all failings and infirmities therein, see Nehemiah 13:22
and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof; for the support of the worship of God in the temple, and for the regulating of the wards and courses in it, both priests and Levites, and for the maintenance of them; which being done from a right principle, love to God, and with a right view, the glory of his name, might be truly reckoned good works: and which he desires might not be wiped or blotted out of the book of his remembrance, see Hosea 6:10.
In those days saw I in Judah some treading winepresses on the sabbath,.... Which was not a work of necessity, and so did not drive away the sabbath, as the Jews express themselves, but might have been deferred to another day:
and bringing in sheaves; of wheat, it being the time of wheat harvest:
and lading asses; with goods to be carried from place to place, and sold on that day; this was contrary to the express law, for the ass was to rest, Deuteronomy 5:14,
as also wine, grapes, and figs: it being the time of ingathering the fruits of the earth:
and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day; besides those borne on asses, others were carried on men's shoulders; this was contrary to the law of the sabbath, which required that both men and beasts should have rest:
and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals; that is, the sabbath day; and if it was not lawful to sell food, then not anything else; so far from it, that according to the Jewish canonsF6Maimon. Hilchot Sabbat, c. 24. sect. 1, 2. , such that were in partnership might not discourse together of what they should sell or buy on the morrow, the day after the sabbath; and so far from gathering and carrying grapes and figs, that a man might not go into his gardens and fields to see what were wanting, or how the fruits were: now Nehemiah admonished the Jews of these evils they committed, and testified against them as breakers of the law, and called heaven and earth to testify against them, should they go on to violate it.
There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish,.... From Tyre and Zidon, and the parts adjacent: these they brought from Joppa, and from thence to Jerusalem, and had houses or lodgings near the fish gate or fish market, where they sold them:
and all manner of ware; or merchandise, which, being a trading city, they had from all nations:
and sold on the sabbath day unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem; or even in Jerusalem, the holy city, where stood the temple, and where the worship of God was kept, and where the magistrates lived, who should have been terrors to evildoers: indeed, the law of the sabbath was not binding on these Tyrians, but then they tempted the Jews to break it, by bringing their ware to sell.
Then I contended with the nobles,.... The rulers of the city, the civil magistrates, sharply reproved them for their neglect of duty:
and said unto them, what evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day? by suffering servile works to be done in it, and things sold on it.
Did not your fathers thus,.... Profane the sabbath in like manner:
and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon our city? suffered them to be carried captive into a strange land, and their city destroyed for their sins, and for this of sabbath breaking among the rest, see Jeremiah 17:21,
yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath; additional judgments to those that had been already upon them for the same evil with others.
And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath,.... Or "were shaded"F7צללו "obumbratae", Pagninus, Montanus; "obumbrarentur", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Rambachius; "incidentibus umbris", Tigurine version. ; that is, as Jarchi interprets it, when the shadows of the eve of the sabbath were stretched out upon the gates; the sabbath did not begin till sun setting, and the stars appeared; but before that, as the sun was declining, the shadows through the houses in Jerusalem, and mountains about it, spread themselves over the gates: and when it was near dusk, and as soon as it was so,
I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath; until sun setting the next day:
and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should be burden brought in on the sabbath day; the porters being not to be trusted, being liable to be bribed and corrupted, which he knew his servants were not; and therefore, since it might be necessary on a few occasions to open the gates to let some persons in and out, and especially such who dwelt near, and came to worship, he placed his servants there, to take care that none were admitted that had any burdens upon them.
For the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware,.... The Tyrians particularly, Nehemiah 13:16 lodged without Jerusalem once or twice; one sabbath day or two, not being able to get into the city, such strict watch and care being taken to keep the gates shut; this they did, hoping the Jews would come out to them and buy their goods, though they were not admitted to bring them within the city.
Then I testified against them,.... Against their continuance there, and threatened them, and called heaven and earth to witness what he would do to them, if they did not depart:
why lodge ye about the wall? of the city, waiting an opportunity to get in, and tempting the Jews to come out and buy their ware:
if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you; beat them, or slay them, at least imprison them:
from that time forth came they no more on the sabbath; finding there was no likelihood of getting into the city, and that they were liable to be taken up and punished.
And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves,.... From all ceremonial uncleanness, that they might be fit in a ceremonial sense to perform the duties of the office on the sabbath day:
and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day; not the gates of the city, his servants were placed there, nor was this the work of the Levites, and much less did this require a particular purification to fit for it; but the gates of the temple, that no impure person might enter there; and on that day it required the greater diligence, because of the number of people that came to worship:
remember me, O my God, concerning this also; with respect to his care to have the sabbath kept holy, as well as his concern for the honour of the house of God, and the maintenance of his ministers, Nehemiah 13:14,
and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy; he desired to be dealt with, not according to any merits of his own, but according to the abundant mercy of God; that he would kindly and graciously vouchsafe to accept any good that he had done for his mercy sake, and forgive whatever was amiss in him.
In those days also I saw Jews that married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab. Ashdod, or Azotus, as it is called in Acts 8:40, was one of the five cities of the Philistines; which, though none of the seven nations with whom marriage was forbid, yet it was very unfit and improper to marry with them, Judges 14:3. This place was a mart of the ArabiansF8Mela de Situ Orbis, l. 1. c. 10. , where they sold their goods, to which the Jews might resort, and thereby be ensnared into such marriages; and which with the Ammonites and Moabites were unlawful, Nehemiah 13:1.
And their children spoke half in the speech of Ashdod,.... Which they learned of their mothers, so that it was a mixed language they spoke, partly Jewish and partly Philistine; but some refer this not to their speech, but to the number of their children; that half of them, which Jarchi interprets many of them, spoke in the language of Ashdod, even as many as were most with their mothers, and chiefly brought up by them:
and could not speak in the Jews' language; not at all, or so much as to be understood well, which inclines to the last sense:
but according to the language of each people; their mothers were of, whether of Ashdod, or of Ammon, or of Moab.
And I contended with them,.... Argued with them, faithfully admonished them, and sharply reproved them:
and cursed them; assuring them that the curse of God would come upon them, unless they repented. Aben Ezra interprets it of excommunicating them, either with "Cherem" or "Niddui", which were two sorts of excommunication among the Jews; but it is a question whether as yet those were used by them:
and smote certain of them; ordered them to be beaten with rods or scourges, as transgressors of the law:
and plucked off their hair; or ordered it to be plucked off by the executioner that smote them; which sort of punishment, as it was painful, it was disgraceful and ignominious, see Isaiah 1:6,
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; not intermarry with them; this they had sworn to before, Nehemiah 10:29.
Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things?.... By marrying strange wives, by whom he was drawn into idolatry, 1 Kings 11:3,
yet among many nations was there no king like him; as not for grandeur and riches, so not for wisdom, and yet was ensnared by his idolatrous wives:
who was beloved of God; alluding to his name Jedidiah, which signifies beloved of the Lord, 2 Samuel 12:24
and God made him king over all Israel; which was a proof of his love to him, and so he was under the greater obligation to serve him, and him only, and yet his heart, through his wives, was turned after other gods:
even him did outlandish women cause to sin; and if so great and wise a man was enticed by them to idolatry, much more may you, and therefore it was very dangerous to marry with them.
Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil,.... To suffer it to be done, and connive at it, and not punish for it:
to transgress against our God; his law, his mind, and will:
in marrying strange wives? forbidden by him, Deuteronomy 7:1.
And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest,.... A grandson of the high priest; for the high priest here is Eliashib, according to our version, and not Joiada his son, according to Dr. PrideauxF9Connect. par. 1. p. 412. ; the person designed, JosephusF11Antiqu. l. 11. c. 8. sect. 2,4. makes to be Manasseh, the brother of Jaddua the high priest: was
son in law to Sanballat the Horonite; married a daughter of his, who was the avowed enemy of the Jewish nation; and for whom, according to the same writer, Sanballat obtained leave of Alexander to build a temple on Mount Gerizim; but this is to protract the age of Nehemiah and Sanballat to too great a length; besides, Eliashib seems to have been now high priest, and not even his son Joiada, and much less Jaddua, a grandson of Joiada:
therefore I chased him from me; drove him from his court, suffered him not to minister at the altar; banished him from the city, as Jarchi, and even from the land of Judea.
Remember them, O my God,.... The priests, and punish them: because they have defiled the priesthood; by marrying strange wives, and rendering themselves unfit to officiate in it:
and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites; made with Levi, Aaron, and Phinehas, see Numbers 24:11, of the corruption of which, complaint is made, Malachi 2:4.
Thus cleansed I them from all strangers,.... Both people and priests from strange wives, obliging them to put them away, or flee their country:
and appointing the wards of the priests and the Levites, everyone in his business: to do the work of their office in their courses and turns.
And for the wood offering, at times appointed,.... Of which see Nehemiah 10:34. Levites were appointed to receive the wood that was brought at the times and by the persons fixed, and lay it up in its proper place, and carry it to the altar when wanted:
and for the first fruits; to receive and take care of them, and distribute them to the persons to whom they belonged:
remember me, O my God, for good; to bless him with all good things, temporal and spiritual, to keep him faithful, to make him useful in church and state, and protect him from all his enemies: or rather this may respect what goes before, that as to the wood offering and the firstfruits, that God would graciously remember him as to them, since the one was as necessary to the altar as the other was to those that minister at it.