Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries.

NEHEMIAH 13:12KJV
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Nehemiah 13:12 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 13:12 mean?

Nehemiah 13:12 describes how all the people of Judah brought their required offerings—the tithe of grain, new wine, and oil—into the storage rooms of the temple. This verse shows the community responding to Nehemiah’s leadership by restoring proper support for the temple and its workers.

Nehemiah, serving as governor, was addressing problems in Jerusalem after returning from Persia. He found that the Levites and temple workers had not been receiving their share, so he called the people to bring the tithe. This verse records their positive response, marking a renewal of faithfulness to the covenant and temple worship.

The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 13:12

  • tithe (מַעֲשֵׂר, ma‘ăsēr): This word means a tenth part, referring to the portion of produce or income set aside for religious purposes. Here, it underscores the people's duty to support the temple and its ministers.
  • corn (דָּגָן, dagan): Often translated as "grain," this word refers to staple crops like wheat or barley. It highlights the agricultural basis of the tithe.
  • wine (תִּירוֹשׁ, tīrôsh): This word means "new wine," the fresh juice from the grape harvest, showing the tithe included both food and drink.
  • oil (יִצְהָר, yitshar): Refers to olive oil, a valuable product in daily life and temple rituals.
  • treasuries (אוֹצָר, ’otsar): This word means storage rooms or storehouses, indicating that the offerings were brought to designated places within the temple complex for safekeeping and distribution.

Why Nehemiah 13:12 matters

  • This verse clears up that the tithe was not just a personal act but a community-wide responsibility, with everyone in Judah participating.
  • Nehemiah 13:12 highlights the restoration of proper temple service after a period of neglect, showing the importance of leadership in renewing spiritual practices.
  • The verse connects to the wider context of Nehemiah’s reforms, emphasizing obedience to God’s law and the practical steps needed to sustain worship and community life in Jerusalem.

Where else these words appear

“oil” Hebrew H3323 · used in 23 verses

  • Numbers 18:12 All the best of the oil, and all the best of the wine, and of the wheat, the firstfruits of them which they shall offer unto the LORD, them have I given thee.
  • 2 Kings 18:32 Until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of corn and wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of oil olive and of honey, that ye may live, and not die: and hearken not unto Hezekiah, when he persuadeth you, saying, The LORD will deliver us.
  • Jeremiah 31:12 Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.

“tithe” Hebrew H4643 · used in 27 verses

  • Genesis 14:20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
  • Deuteronomy 12:6 And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks:
  • Nehemiah 10:37 And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.

“wine” Hebrew H8492 · used in 38 verses

  • Genesis 27:28 Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:
  • 2 Chronicles 31:5 And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.
  • Jeremiah 31:12 Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.

“corn” Hebrew H1715 · used in 40 verses

  • Genesis 27:28 Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:
  • 2 Chronicles 32:28 Storehouses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and cotes for flocks.
  • Lamentations 2:12 They say to their mothers, Where is corn and wine? when they swooned as the wounded in the streets of the city, when their soul was poured out into their mothers' bosom.