Bible Strands

Nehemiah 13:30

Thus I purified the priests and Levites from everything foreign, and I assigned specific duties to each of the priests and Levites.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Nehemiah speaks as governor and reformer, addressing the restored community after enforcing marriage bans and temple cleansings. He records his administrative actions at the close of his reform cycle, immediately before requesting divine favor in the next verse.

The words — The Hebrew טִֽהַרְתִּי (tiḥartî) literally means "I purified them," while אַעֲמִידָה (ʿamîdāh) translates to "I established" or "assigned." These terms anchor the verse in concrete ritual cleansing and structural appointment.

The thread — The reorganization of temple personnel connects to the covenant commitments in Nehemiah 10:30 and the priestly records in Nehemiah 12:1. The administrative realignment of religious roles also parallels David's institutional arrangements in 1 Chronicles 23:1.

Why it lands — The text states that religious service requires both separation from foreign influence and clearly defined duties for each worker. It demands the reader maintain institutional order and personal accountability in worship leadership.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

וְטִֽהַרְתִּ֖יםve./ti.har.Ti/mand/ I purified/ themמִכָּל־mi./kolfrom/ allנֵכָ֑רne.Kharforeignnessוָאַעֲמִ֧ידָהva./'a.'a.Mi.da/hand/ I assigned/ !מִשְׁמָר֛וֹתmish.ma.Rotdutiesלַכֹּהֲנִ֥יםla./ko.ha.Nimto the/ priestsוְלַלְוִיִּ֖םve./la/l.vi.Yimand/ to the/ Levitesאִ֥ישׁ'isheach oneבִּמְלַאכְתּֽוֹ׃bi/m.lakh.T/oin/ own work/ his

King James Version

Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business;

Cross-references