For the shewbread, and for the continual meat offering, and for the continual burnt offering, of the sabbaths, of the new moons, for the set feasts, and for the holy things, and for the sin offerings to make an atonement for Israel, and for all the work of the house of our God.

NEHEMIAH 10:33KJV
Know the Bible

Nehemiah 10:33 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 10:33 mean?

Nehemiah 10:33 lists the specific offerings and rituals that the people of Israel commit to supporting for the temple’s daily and special worship, including the shewbread, continual offerings, sabbaths, new moons, feasts, holy things, sin offerings, and all the work of God’s house. The verse shows the people’s renewed promise to provide for everything needed in the temple to maintain their worship and relationship with God.

In Nehemiah 10, the leaders and people of Israel are making a formal agreement to follow God’s law after returning from exile. Nehemiah 10:33 details the practical side of this commitment, naming the regular sacrifices and observances that require resources and attention. This verse highlights the community’s shared responsibility to keep the temple running and honor the traditions given in the Law of Moses.

The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 10:33

  • "Shewbread" (לֶחֶם הַפָּנִים, lechem hapanim; H4635, H3899) refers to the special bread placed before God in the temple, symbolizing Israel’s ongoing relationship with Him.
  • "Continual" (תָּמִיד, tamid; H8548) is used twice, stressing the ongoing, regular nature of both the meat and burnt offerings, not just one-time events.
  • "Feasts" (מוֹעֵד, moed; H4150) points to the appointed times or festivals set by God, showing that both daily and special occasions are included in the people’s commitment.
  • "Atonement" (כָּפַר, kaphar; H3722) is about making things right between God and Israel, underlining the importance of the sin offerings in restoring and maintaining that relationship.

Why Nehemiah 10:33 matters

  • Nehemiah 10:33 clarifies that the community’s promise is not just spiritual but practical—they are pledging to supply the actual materials and offerings needed for worship.
  • The verse shows that worship in ancient Israel involved regular, organized effort and resources, not just spontaneous acts of devotion.
  • By listing each type of offering and observance, Nehemiah 10:33 connects the people’s renewed covenant to the specific commands given in the Law, showing their desire to restore full obedience after years of neglect.

Where else these words appear

“shewbread” Hebrew H4635 · used in 9 verses

  • Leviticus 24:6 And thou shalt set them in two rows, six on a row, upon the pure table before the LORD.
  • 1 Chronicles 9:32 And other of their brethren, of the sons of the Kohathites, were over the shewbread, to prepare it every sabbath.
  • 2 Chronicles 2:4 Behold, I build an house to the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the LORD our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel.

“sabbaths” Hebrew H7676 · used in 89 verses

  • Exodus 16:23 And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.
  • Leviticus 26:35 As long as it lieth desolate it shall rest; because it did not rest in your sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it.
  • Nehemiah 13:22 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.

“atonement” Hebrew H3722 · used in 94 verses

  • Genesis 6:14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.
  • Leviticus 14:21 And if he be poor, and cannot get so much; then he shall take one lamb for a trespass offering to be waved, to make an atonement for him, and one tenth deal of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering, and a log of oil;
  • Numbers 25:13 And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel.

“continual” Hebrew H8548 · used in 103 verses

  • Exodus 25:30 And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.
  • Deuteronomy 11:12 A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.
  • Psalms 105:4 Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.