And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house.
NEHEMIAH 10:38KJVWhat does Nehemiah 10:38 mean?
Nehemiah 10:38 describes how a priest from the family of Aaron was to accompany the Levites when they collected tithes from the people, and then the Levites themselves were responsible for bringing a portion of those tithes—the “tithe of the tithes”—to God’s house, specifically into the storerooms used for temple treasures. This verse sets out a clear system for handling offerings, ensuring both accountability and proper support for temple service.
In the context of Nehemiah, the leaders and people of Israel are renewing their commitment to God’s law after returning from exile. This verse records part of a public agreement about how temple duties and offerings should be managed. The mention of the priest (from Aaron’s line) and the Levites highlights the cooperation between different groups responsible for worship, and the process helps keep the temple supplied and the system transparent.
The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 10:38
- “priest” (כֹּהֵן, kohen): This word refers specifically to a priest from Aaron’s family, not just any religious leader, emphasizing the importance of lineage and proper authority in temple matters.
- “Levites” (לֵוִי, levi): The Levites were a tribe set apart for assisting in temple service, but not all Levites were priests. Their distinct role is highlighted by their responsibility to collect tithes from the people.
- “tithe” (מַעֲשֵׂר, ma‘aser): This word means a tenth part, and here it refers to the portion of produce or goods given for the support of the temple and its workers. The “tithe of the tithes” means the Levites, after receiving tithes, also give a tenth of what they received.
- “house” (בַּיִת, bayit): This refers to the temple, called “the house of our God,” showing the central place of worship in the community’s life.
Why Nehemiah 10:38 matters
- Nehemiah 10:38 clarifies the chain of responsibility for temple offerings, showing that even those who serve in the temple are accountable to give from what they receive.
- The verse highlights cooperation and transparency, with both priests and Levites involved in the process, which helped prevent misuse or neglect of temple resources.
- This arrangement connects to the larger theme in Nehemiah of restoring proper worship and community order after exile, emphasizing faithfulness to God’s instructions.