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Selected Verse: Nehemiah 12:44 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Ne 12:44	Strong Concordance	And at that time [03117] were some [0582] appointed [06485] over the chambers [05393] for the treasures [0214], for the offerings [08641], for the firstfruits [07225], and for the tithes [04643], to gather [03664] into them out of the fields [07704] of the cities [05892] the portions [04521] of the law [08451] for the priests [03548] and Levites [03881]: for Judah [03063] rejoiced [08057] for the priests [03548] and for the Levites [03881] that waited [05975].
	King James	And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
portions of the law--that is, "prescribed by the law." for Judah rejoiced for the priests and . . . Levites that waited--The cause of this general satisfaction was either the full restoration of the temple service and the reorganized provision for the permanent support of the ministry, or it was the pious character and eminent gifts of the guardians of religion.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

portions of the law--that is, "prescribed by the law."

for Judah rejoiced for the priests and . . . Levites that waited--The cause of this general satisfaction was either the full restoration of the temple service and the reorganized provision for the permanent support of the ministry, or it was the pious character and eminent gifts of the guardians of religion.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
Judah rejoiced - Judah's satisfaction with the priests and Levites took the shape of increased offerings, more ample tithes, and the like, from where the appointment of treasuries and treasurers became necessary.

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]
The joint efforts of Nehemiah and Ezra succeeded both in restoring the enactments of the law for the performance and maintenance of the public worship, and in carrying out the separation of the community from strangers, especially by the dissolution of unlawful marriages (Neh 12:44-13:3). When Nehemiah, however, returned to the king at Babylon, in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes, and remained there some time, the abuses which had been abolished were again allowed by the people. During Nehemiah's absence, Eliashib the priest prepared a chamber in the fore-court of the temple, as a dwelling for his son-in-law Tobiah the Ammonite. The delivery of their dues to the Levites (the first-fruits and tenths) was omitted, and the Sabbath desecrated by field-work and by buying and selling in Jerusalem; Jews married Ashdodite, Ammonitish, and Moabitish wives; even a son of the high priest Joiada allying himself by marriage with Sanballat the Horonite. All these illegal acts were energetically opposed by Nehemiah at his return to Jerusalem, when he strove both to purify the congregation from foreigners, and to restore the appointments of the law with respect to divine worship (13:4-31). The narration of these events and of the proceedings of Nehemiah in the last section of this book, is introduced by a brief summary (in Neh 12:44-13:3) of what was done for the ordering of divine worship, and for the separation of Israel from strangers; and this introduction is so annexed to what precedes, not only by the formula ההוּא בּיּום (Neh 12:33 and Neh 13:1), but also by its contents, that it might be regarded as a summary of what Nehemiah had effected during his first stay at Jerusalem. It is not till the connective מזּה ולפני, "and before this" (Neh 13:4), with which the recital of what occurred during Nehemiah's absence from Jerusalem, in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes, beings, that we perceive that this description of the restored legal appointments relates not only to the time before the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes, but applies also to that of Nehemiah's second stay at Jerusalem, and bears only the appearance of an introduction, being in fact a brief summary of all that Nehemiah effected both before and after the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes. This is a form of statement which, is to be explained by the circumstance that Nehemiah did not compile this narrative of his operations till the evening of his days. Neh 12:44 The reformations in worship and in social life effected by Nehemiah. - Neh 12:44-47. Appointments concerning divine worship. Neh 12:44. And at that time were certain appointed over the chambers of store-places for the heave-offerings, the first-fruits, and the tenths, to gather into them, according to the fields of the cities, the portions appointed by the law for the priests and Levites. Though the definition of time ההוּא בּיּום corresponds with the ההוּא בּיּום of Neh 12:43, it is nevertheless used in a more general sense, and does not refer, as in Neh 12:43, to the day of the dedication of the wall, but only declares that what follows belongs chiefly to the time hitherto spoken of. יום means, not merely a day of twelve or twenty-four hours, but very frequently stands for the time generally speaking at which anything occurs, or certum quoddam temporis spatium; and it is only from the context that we can perceive whether יום is used in its narrower or more extended meaning. Hence ההוּא בּיּום is often used in the historical and prophetical books, de die, or de tempore modo memorato, in contradistinction to הזּה היּום, the time present to the narrator; comp. Sa1 27:6; Sa1 30:25, and the discussion in Gesen. Thes. p. 369. That the expression refers in the present verse not to any particular day, but to the time in question generally, is obvious from the whole statement, Neh 12:44-47. לאוצרות נשׁכות are not chambers for the treasures, i.e., treasure-chambers; but both here and Neh 13:12, אוצרות signify places where stores are kept, magazines; hence: these are chambers for store-places for the heave-offerings, etc.; comp. Neh 10:38-39. With respect to נשׁכות, see rem. on Neh 3:30. הערים לשׂדי, according to the fields of the cities, according to the delivery of the tenth of the crop from the fields of the different cities. These contributions necessitated the appointment of individuals to have the care of the store-chambers; "for Judah rejoiced in the priests and the Levites who were ministering," and therefore contributed willingly and abundantly "the portions of the law," i.e., the portions prescribed in the law. The form מנאות is exchanged for מניות, Neh 12:47 and Neh 13:10. האמדים is a shorter expression for יהוה לפני האמדים, Deu 10:8 : standing before the Lord, i.e., ministering.

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]

The joint efforts of Nehemiah and Ezra succeeded both in restoring the enactments of the law for the performance and maintenance of the public worship, and in carrying out the separation of the community from strangers, especially by the dissolution of unlawful marriages (Neh 12:44-13:3). When Nehemiah, however, returned to the king at Babylon, in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes, and remained there some time, the abuses which had been abolished were again allowed by the people. During Nehemiah's absence, Eliashib the priest prepared a chamber in the fore-court of the temple, as a dwelling for his son-in-law Tobiah the Ammonite. The delivery of their dues to the Levites (the first-fruits and tenths) was omitted, and the Sabbath desecrated by field-work and by buying and selling in Jerusalem; Jews married Ashdodite, Ammonitish, and Moabitish wives; even a son of the high priest Joiada allying himself by marriage with Sanballat the Horonite. All these illegal acts were energetically opposed by Nehemiah at his return to Jerusalem, when he strove both to purify the congregation from foreigners, and to restore the appointments of the law with respect to divine worship (13:4-31).

The narration of these events and of the proceedings of Nehemiah in the last section of this book, is introduced by a brief summary (in Neh 12:44-13:3) of what was done for the ordering of divine worship, and for the separation of Israel from strangers; and this introduction is so annexed to what precedes, not only by the formula ההוּא בּיּום (Neh 12:33 and Neh 13:1), but also by its contents, that it might be regarded as a summary of what Nehemiah had effected during his first stay at Jerusalem. It is not till the connective מזּה ולפני, "and before this" (Neh 13:4), with which the recital of what occurred during Nehemiah's absence from Jerusalem, in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes, beings, that we perceive that this description of the restored legal appointments relates not only to the time before the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes, but applies also to that of Nehemiah's second stay at Jerusalem, and bears only the appearance of an introduction, being in fact a brief summary of all that Nehemiah effected both before and after the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes. This is a form of statement which, is to be explained by the circumstance that Nehemiah did not compile this narrative of his operations till the evening of his days.

Neh 12:44

The reformations in worship and in social life effected by Nehemiah. - Neh 12:44-47. Appointments concerning divine worship. Neh 12:44. And at that time were certain appointed over the chambers of store-places for the heave-offerings, the first-fruits, and the tenths, to gather into them, according to the fields of the cities, the portions appointed by the law for the priests and Levites. Though the definition of time ההוּא בּיּום corresponds with the ההוּא בּיּום of Neh 12:43, it is nevertheless used in a more general sense, and does not refer, as in Neh 12:43, to the day of the dedication of the wall, but only declares that what follows belongs chiefly to the time hitherto spoken of. יום means, not merely a day of twelve or twenty-four hours, but very frequently stands for the time generally speaking at which anything occurs, or certum quoddam temporis spatium; and it is only from the context that we can perceive whether יום is used in its narrower or more extended meaning. Hence ההוּא בּיּום is often used in the historical and prophetical books, de die, or de tempore modo memorato, in contradistinction to הזּה היּום, the time present to the narrator; comp. Sa1 27:6; Sa1 30:25, and the discussion in Gesen. Thes. p. 369. That the expression refers in the present verse not to any particular day, but to the time in question generally, is obvious from the whole statement, Neh 12:44-47. לאוצרות נשׁכות are not chambers for the treasures, i.e., treasure-chambers; but both here and Neh 13:12, אוצרות signify places where stores are kept, magazines; hence: these are chambers for store-places for the heave-offerings, etc.; comp. Neh 10:38-39. With respect to נשׁכות, see rem. on Neh 3:30. הערים לשׂדי, according to the fields of the cities, according to the delivery of the tenth of the crop from the fields of the different cities. These contributions necessitated the appointment of individuals to have the care of the store-chambers; "for Judah rejoiced in the priests and the Levites who were ministering," and therefore contributed willingly and abundantly "the portions of the law," i.e., the portions prescribed in the law. The form מנאות is exchanged for מניות, Neh 12:47 and Neh 13:10. האמדים is a shorter expression for יהוה לפני האמדים, Deu 10:8 : standing before the Lord, i.e., ministering.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Rejoiced - For the eminent gifts and graces which they observed in many of them: for the great benefit which they had now received by their ministry: and for the competent provision which hereby was made for them, that so they might wholly wait upon their office. The sure way for ministers to gain an interest, in the affections of their people, is to wait on their ministry, to spend their whole time, and thought, and strength therein.

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⁸ At that time [06256] the LORD [03068] separated [0914] the tribe [07626] of Levi [03878], to bear [05375] the ark [0727] of the covenant [01285] of the LORD [03068], to stand [05975] before [06440] the LORD [03068] to minister [08334] unto him, and to bless [01288] in his name [08034], unto this day [03117].

¹⁰ And I perceived [03045] that the portions [04521] of the Levites [03881] had not been given [05414] them: for the Levites [03881] and the singers [07891], that did [06213] the work [04399], were fled [01272] every one [0376] to his field [07704].

⁴⁷ And all Israel [03478] in the days [03117] of Zerubbabel [02216], and in the days [03117] of Nehemiah [05166], gave [05414] the portions [04521] of the singers [07891] and the porters [07778], every day [03117] his portion [01697]: and they sanctified [06942] holy things unto the Levites [03881]; and the Levites [03881] sanctified [06942] them unto the children [01121] of Aaron [0175].

³⁰ After [0310] him repaired [02388] Hananiah [02608] the son [01121] of Shelemiah [08018], and Hanun [02586] the sixth [08345] son [01121] of Zalaph [06764], another [08145] piece [04060]. After [0310] him repaired [02388] Meshullam [04918] the son [01121] of Berechiah [01296] over against his chamber [05393].

³⁸ And the priest [03548] the son [01121] of Aaron [0175] shall be with the Levites [03881], when the Levites [03881] take tithes [06237]: and the Levites [03881] shall bring up [05927] the tithe [04643] of the tithes [04643] unto the house [01004] of our God [0430], to the chambers [03957], into the treasure [0214] house [01004].
³⁹ For the children [01121] of Israel [03478] and the children [01121] of Levi [03878] shall bring [0935] the offering [08641] of the corn [01715], of the new wine [08492], and the oil [03323], unto the chambers [03957], where are the vessels [03627] of the sanctuary [04720], and the priests [03548] that minister [08334], and the porters [07778], and the singers [07891]: and we will not forsake [05800] the house [01004] of our God [0430].

¹² Then brought [0935] all Judah [03063] the tithe [04643] of the corn [01715] and the new wine [08492] and the oil [03323] unto the treasuries [0214].

⁴⁴ And at that time [03117] were some [0582] appointed [06485] over the chambers [05393] for the treasures [0214], for the offerings [08641], for the firstfruits [07225], and for the tithes [04643], to gather [03664] into them out of the fields [07704] of the cities [05892] the portions [04521] of the law [08451] for the priests [03548] and Levites [03881]: for Judah [03063] rejoiced [08057] for the priests [03548] and for the Levites [03881] that waited [05975].
⁴⁵ And both the singers [07891] and the porters [07778] kept [08104] the ward [04931] of their God [0430], and the ward [04931] of the purification [02893], according to the commandment [04687] of David [01732], and of Solomon [08010] his son [01121].
⁴⁶ For in the days [03117] of David [01732] and Asaph [0623] of old [06924] there were chief [07218] of the singers [07891], and songs [07892] of praise [08416] and thanksgiving [03034] unto God [0430].
⁴⁷ And all Israel [03478] in the days [03117] of Zerubbabel [02216], and in the days [03117] of Nehemiah [05166], gave [05414] the portions [04521] of the singers [07891] and the porters [07778], every day [03117] his portion [01697]: and they sanctified [06942] holy things unto the Levites [03881]; and the Levites [03881] sanctified [06942] them unto the children [01121] of Aaron [0175].

²⁵ And it was so from that day [03117] forward [04605], that he made [07760] it a statute [02706] and an ordinance [04941] for Israel [03478] unto this day [03117].

⁶ Then Achish [0397] gave [05414] him Ziklag [06860] that day [03117]: wherefore Ziklag [06860] pertaineth unto the kings [04428] of Judah [03063] unto this day [03117].

⁴³ Also that day [03117] they offered [02076] great [01419] sacrifices [02077], and rejoiced [08055]: for God [0430] had made them rejoice [08055] with great [01419] joy [08057]: the wives [0802] also and the children [03206] rejoiced [08055]: so that the joy [08057] of Jerusalem [03389] was heard [08085] even afar off [07350].

⁴ And before [06440] this, Eliashib [0475] the priest [03548], having the oversight [05414] of the chamber [03957] of the house [01004] of our God [0430], was allied [07138] unto Tobiah [02900]:

¹ On that day [03117] they read [07121] in the book [05612] of Moses [04872] in the audience [0241] of the people [05971]; and therein was found [04672] written [03789], that the Ammonite [05984] and the Moabite [04125] should not come [0935] into the congregation [06951] of God [0430] for [05704] ever [05769];

³³ And Azariah [05838], Ezra [05830], and Meshullam [04918],