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.

NEHEMIAH 13:5KJV
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Nehemiah 13:5 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 13:5 mean?

Nehemiah 13:5 describes how a large room in the temple, which was once used to store offerings, incense, temple vessels, and tithes of grain, wine, and oil for the Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and priests, was prepared for someone else’s use. This change meant that the space set aside for supporting those who served in the temple was no longer being used for its original, sacred purpose.

In this part of Nehemiah, the writer is recounting a problem that arose while he was away from Jerusalem. Eliashib the priest had given Tobiah, an outsider and opponent of Nehemiah’s reforms, a special chamber in the temple that was meant for storing the supplies and offerings for temple workers. This action disrupted the proper support of the Levites and priests and showed a disregard for the temple’s intended order.

The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 13:5

  • "Chamber" (לִשְׁכָּה, lishkah): This word refers to a specific room or set of rooms in the temple complex. Understanding this helps clarify that the space was not just any storage area, but a dedicated part of the temple’s infrastructure.
  • "Tithes" (מַעֲשֵׂר, ma‘aser): This word means a tenth part, usually of crops or produce, given to support the Levites. Its use here highlights that the temple was meant to be a center for both worship and practical provision for those who served.
  • "Levites" (לֵוִי, Leviy), "singers" (שָׁר, shar), "porters" (שֹׁעֵר, sho‘er): These words name specific groups who depended on these offerings. Mentioning them shows how many people were affected by the misuse of the temple chamber.

Why Nehemiah 13:5 matters

  • Nehemiah 13:5 shows how easily the intended order and support system for temple service could be disrupted by poor leadership or favoritism.
  • The verse highlights the importance of proper stewardship of what is set apart for God’s purposes, especially in a community’s worship life.
  • This detail sets up the conflict Nehemiah addresses in the following verses, helping the reader understand why he reacts so strongly to what he finds upon his return.

Where else these words appear

“frankincense” Hebrew H3828 · used in 21 verses

  • Exodus 30:34 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight:
  • Leviticus 6:15 And he shall take of it his handful, of the flour of the meat offering, and of the oil thereof, and all the frankincense which is upon the meat offering, and shall burn it upon the altar for a sweet savour, even the memorial of it, unto the LORD.
  • Song of Solomon 4:14 Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices:

“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.

“tithes” 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.

“porters” Hebrew H7778 · used in 37 verses

  • 2 Samuel 18:26 And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called unto the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone. And the king said, He also bringeth tidings.
  • 1 Chronicles 16:38 And Obededom with their brethren, threescore and eight; Obededom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be porters:
  • Ezra 2:70 So the priests, and the Levites, and some of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.