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.