Also we made ordinances for us, to charge ourselves yearly with the third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God;

NEHEMIAH 10:32KJV
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Nehemiah 10:32 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 10:32 mean?

Nehemiah 10:32 describes how the people of Israel agreed to set a rule for themselves to give a third of a shekel each year to support the service and upkeep of God’s house, the temple. This was a self-imposed commitment to ensure the temple had what it needed for its regular functions.

In the context of Nehemiah, the leaders and people are making a formal agreement to follow God’s laws after returning from exile. They are speaking to each other, promising to support the temple’s needs out of their own resources. This verse shows their willingness to take responsibility for the ongoing worship and maintenance of their religious center.

The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 10:32

  • "ordinances" (מִצְוָה, mitsvah): This word means a command or regulation. Here, it refers to a rule the people decided to set for themselves, not just a command from God, showing their active participation.
  • "charge" (נָתַן, natan): This verb means to give or assign. The people are willingly assigning themselves this yearly responsibility, highlighting their voluntary commitment.
  • "service" (עֲבוֹדָה, avodah): This word means work or service, especially the duties performed in the temple. It emphasizes that the offering is for the practical, ongoing work needed in the temple.
  • "house" (בַּיִת, bayit): This refers to the temple, called “the house of our God.” It centers the verse on the shared responsibility for the place of worship.

Why Nehemiah 10:32 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the people were not just following old laws but were also willing to set new rules for themselves to support their faith community.
  • The specific mention of “the third part of a shekel” shows a practical, organized approach to funding the temple, which was different from earlier requirements and fits the post-exile setting.
  • Nehemiah 10:32 connects to the larger passage where the people are renewing their covenant, showing their unity and seriousness about maintaining their worship and identity after returning from exile.

Where else these words appear

“shekel” Hebrew H8255 · used in 54 verses

  • Genesis 23:15 My lord, hearken unto me: the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver; what is that betwixt me and thee? bury therefore thy dead.
  • Leviticus 27:25 And all thy estimations shall be according to the shekel of the sanctuary: twenty gerahs shall be the shekel.
  • Numbers 31:52 And all the gold of the offering that they offered up to the LORD, of the captains of thousands, and of the captains of hundreds, was sixteen thousand seven hundred and fifty shekels.

“part” Hebrew H7992 · used in 94 verses

  • Genesis 1:13 And the evening and the morning were the third day.
  • Judges 20:30 And the children of Israel went up against the children of Benjamin on the third day, and put themselves in array against Gibeah, as at other times.
  • 1 Chronicles 24:23 And the sons of Hebron; Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth.

“service” Hebrew H5656 · used in 125 verses

  • Genesis 29:27 Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.
  • Numbers 4:30 From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old shalt thou number them, every one that entereth into the service, to do the work of the tabernacle of the congregation.
  • 1 Chronicles 23:24 These were the sons of Levi after the house of their fathers; even the chief of the fathers, as they were counted by number of names by their polls, that did the work for the service of the house of the LORD, from the age of twenty years and upward.