Bible Strands
Nehemiah 13:8
And I was greatly displeased and threw all of Tobiah’s household goods out of the room.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Nehemiah addresses the returning exiles in Jerusalem immediately after discovering that Eliashib the priest had provided Tobiah with a storage room in the temple courts. He speaks as the governor who has just arrived back in the city to enforce covenant fidelity.
The words — The phrase וַ/יֵּ֥רַֽע מְאֹ֑ד (va/i.Ye.ra' me.'Od) literally renders "and it was displeasing exceedingly," marking intense revulsion. The verb וָֽ/אַשְׁלִ֜יכָ/ה (va./'ash.Li.kha/h) means "and I threw," describing the physical removal of Tobiah’s belongings.
The thread — This reaction to temple corruption parallels Ezra’s horror at covenant violation (Ezra 9:3) and his public confession (Ezra 10:1), while echoing the psalmist’s declaration that zeal for God’s dwelling consumes him (Psalms 69:9). Nehemiah’s action follows the same pattern of confronting sacred space violations through decisive, public intervention.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that consecrated areas require active protection from unauthorized use. It asks readers to establish clear boundaries when sacred resources are misappropriated rather than accept gradual encroachment.
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
King James Version
And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber.
Cross-references
- Ezra 9:3 When I heard this report, I tore my tunic and cloak, pulled out some hair from my head and beard, and sat down in horror.
- Ezra 10:1 While Ezra prayed and made this confession, weeping and falling facedown before the house of God, a very large assembly of Israelites—men, women, and children—gathered around him, and the people wept bitterly as well.
- Psalms 69:9 because zeal for Your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult You have fallen on me.
- Mark 11:15 When they arrived in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began to drive out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves.
- John 2:13 When the Jewish Passover was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem.