Nehemiah 10:32
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This wasn't just a renewal of an old law; they "made ordinances for us," essentially creating a new, regular church tax for the temple's ongoing needs. While the ancient Law prescribed a half-shekel only for a census, this new commitment was an annual offering of a smaller amount, acknowledging their current poverty but prioritizing consistent support for God's house.
“We also take on ourselves the obligation to give yearly a third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God:
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following their solemn covenant to obey God's law and separate from foreign practices, the people now commit to specific, practical obligations to support the temple and its ongoing service. This verse outlines their agreement to each contribute a small annual tax, a third of a shekel, for the upkeep and activities of the house of God. This commitment addresses a gap since the older law's half-shekel was only for specific census occasions, and they likely faced financial hardship after their return from exile.
The people of Israel were recommitting themselves to God, and this included a practical plan for supporting His worship. Notice how they 'made ordinances for us.'
In Nehemiah 10, the people are making solemn vows and reaffirming their commitment to God's law. This verse highlights a crucial aspect of their renewed covenant: establishing a consistent way to fund the temple's ongoing service.
The Law commanded a half-shekel, but here the people pledge a third. Why the change? It reveals God's people adapting His principles to challenging circumstances.
This commitment to a 'third part of a shekel' is fascinating because it differs from the half-shekel mandated in the Law (Exodus 30:11-16). This isn't necessarily disobedience, but a thoughtful adaptation:
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Understand the original words
bayit · Hebrew Noun
A place where God dwells among His people. In the Old Testament, it refers to the Tabernacle or Temple, representing the center of Israel's worship, presence, and atonement.
The people's commitment to a 'third of a shekel' reflects their post-exilic poverty, a voluntary adjustment from the earlier, larger 'half-shekel' mandated in the Law (Exodus 30:13) when conditions were more prosperous. This shows how ancient laws were applied with practical wisdom in changing times.
c. 538 BC
First Return from Exile
Following Cyrus the Great's decree, a large group of Jewish exiles returned to Jerusalem from Babylon to rebuild the Temple.
c. 516 BC
Dedication of the Second Temple
The Second Temple was completed and dedicated, but it lacked the splendor of Solomon's Temple and was under Persian rule.
c. 458 BC
Ezra's Reforms
Ezra the scribe arrived in Jerusalem with a group of returnees, leading a religious reformation and enforcing strict adherence to the Law.
c. 445-433 BC— this verse
Nehemiah's Governorship and Reforms
Nehemiah, cupbearer to the Persian king, returned to Jerusalem to oversee the rebuilding of the city walls and implement further religious and social reforms among the discouraged populace.
c. AD 30
Temple Tax Collection
By Jesus' time, the annual Temple tax had become a half-shekel, with collectors questioning Jesus about his payment and Peter's.
This passage outlines the original law for a half-shekel Temple tax, serving as a ransom for souls, highlighting the basis from which Nehemiah's community adapted their offering due to their circumstances.
This New Testament passage shows the continuation of the half-shekel Temple tax, illustrating how the obligation evolved from Nehemiah's time and its eventual collection, even by Roman authorities, underscoring the enduring importance of Temple support.
This account describes a collection for the Temple during King Joash's reign, demonstrating a precedent for regular contributions to maintain the house of God, which Nehemiah and his people were reinstituting.
Ezra 7:15-16This passage details the king's provision for the Temple service, showing the official support the Temple previously received, which was now lacking, thus necessitating Nehemiah's people to 'charge themselves' with this obligation.
clarkeNehemiah 10:32: "Also we made ordinances for us, to charge ourselves yearly with the third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God;"
Charge ourselves yearly with the third part of a shekel - According to the law, every one above twenty years of age was to give half a shekel to the sanctuary, which was called a ransom for their souls. See Exodus 30:11-16 . But why is one third of a shekel now promised instead of the half shekel, which the law required? To this question no better…
cambridgeNehemiah 10:32: "Also we made ordinances for us, to charge ourselves yearly with the third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God;"
32 . A poll-tax of ⅓ of a shekel imposed for the maintenance of the service of the Temple 32 . we made ordinances for us ] The verse shows that Ezra and his colleagues, although establishing the authority of the written law, were ready to expand or modify it according to the requirements of the time—a significant indication of the way in which the…
This wasn't just a renewal of an old law; they "made ordinances for us," essentially creating a new, regular church tax for the temple's ongoing needs. While the ancient Law prescribed a half-shekel only for a census, this new commitment was an annual offering of a smaller amount, acknowledging their current poverty but prioritizing consistent support for God's house.
Following their solemn covenant to obey God's law and separate from foreign practices, the people now commit to specific, practical obligations to support the temple and its ongoing service. This verse outlines their agreement to each contribute a small annual tax, a third of a shekel, for the upkeep and activities of the house of God. This commitment addresses a gap since the older law's half-shekel was only for specific census occasions, and they likely faced financial hardship after their return from exile.
Following their solemn covenant to obey God's law and separate from foreign practices, the people now commit to specific, practical obligations to support the temple and its ongoing service. This verse outlines their agreement to each contribute a small annual tax, a third of a shekel, for the upkeep and activities of the house of God. This commitment addresses a gap since the older law's half-shekel was only for specific census occasions, and they likely faced financial hardship after their return from exile.
"“We also take on ourselves the obligation to give yearly a third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God:" — This wasn't just a renewal of an old law; they "made ordinances for us," essentially creating a new, regular church tax for the temple's ongoing needs. While the ancient Law prescribed a half-sheke…
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Last reviewed October 2026
