Nehemiah 13:10
I also found out that the portions of the Levites had not been given to them, so that the Levites and the singers, who did the work, had fled each to his field.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Nehemiah didn't just notice an empty Temple; he realized the reason for the lack of worship was a practical one: the Levites and singers, whose job it was to serve, had to abandon their posts because they weren't being paid. This reveals how quickly neglect of God's provision can lead to the abandonment of His service itself.
After reforming the people and reinforcing the Law, Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem following a period away and finds that the corrupt practices he fought so hard to eradicate have resurfaced. The high priest Eliashib, who had defiled the temple chambers and allied himself with enemies, has allowed the system of tithes and provisions for the Levites and singers to collapse, forcing them to abandon their sacred duties to support themselves from their fields. This neglect means the temple is forsaken, and the proper worship of God has ceased, a direct defiance of the covenant the people had recently reaffirmed.
Imagine pouring your heart into your work, only to find your paychecks never arrive. What happens to your commitment then? Nehemiah found the worship of God grinding to a halt because those who served weren't being supported.
The Foundation of Service: Provision
This verse reveals a critical truth: faithful service requires adequate provision. The Levites and singers were entrusted with the vital work of the Temple – leading worship, teaching, and maintaining the sacred space. God had ordained a system where the people would regularly give a portion (like tithes) to support these ministers.
When this system broke down, the consequences were immediate and devastating:
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Sometimes, spiritual decline isn't just about lazy leaders; it's about the people too. Nehemiah's discovery points to a complex breakdown involving both leadership failures and the people's response.
Two Sides of a Spiritual Coin
The commentators highlight that the Levites' flight wasn't solely due to leadership corruption, though that was a major factor. The people also played a role:
Understand the original words
mânâh · Hebrew Noun
The tithes and offerings designated by the Law of Moses to support those set apart for priestly and temple ministry.
lêvîy · Hebrew Noun
Members of the tribe of Levi set apart by God for the service of the Tabernacle and later the Temple, assisting the priests in religious functions.
The neglect of God's servants, revealed in this verse, stemmed from a breakdown in leadership and a fading commitment to the covenant, showing how quickly spiritual decay can set in when accountability is removed.
c. 444 BC
Nehemiah's First Return and Reforms
Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem, rebuilds the walls, and institutes religious and social reforms, including a covenant to support the temple service.
c. 432 BC
Nehemiah's Second Absence from Jerusalem
Nehemiah returns to Persia, during which time the religious and social reforms he implemented begin to erode in his absence.
c. 430 BC
Eliashib Corrupts Temple Practices
High Priest Eliashib, likely influenced by Nehemiah's absence and possibly by figures like Tobiah, repurposes temple chambers and neglects proper provision for Levites.
c. 430 BC— this verse
Levites and Singers Abandon Service
Due to withheld tithes and portions meant for their support, the Levites and singers are forced to leave their temple duties and return to their own fields to provide for themselves.
c. 430 BC
Nehemiah's Return and Discovery
Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem and discovers the widespread neglect of temple services and the reasons behind the Levites' absence.
c. 430 BC
Nehemiah Restores Temple Support
Nehemiah confronts the officials, restores the proper collection and distribution of tithes and portions, and reinstates the Levites and singers to their duties.
This passage speaks directly to the sin of withholding tithes and offerings, which is the root cause of the Levites' plight in Nehemiah 13:10. It highlights that robbing God of what is due to Him has severe consequences for His service and His people.
1 Samuel 2:17This verse describes the sons of Eli as treating the Lord's offering with contempt, leading to people despising the offering of the Lord. This parallels the situation in Nehemiah where the corrupt use of temple provisions likely caused the people to withhold their support, thus neglecting the service of God.
Numbers 35:2This provides the background for the Levites having fields in the Levitical cities. Nehemiah 13:10 shows the sad reality when these fields became their only source of sustenance because the temple provisions were not supplied.
Hebrews 7:4This New Testament passage highlights the importance and effectiveness of the Levitical system of tithes for the support of the priests. It underscores the divine principle that those who serve the Lord should be supported by the Lord's people, a principle violated in Nehemiah's time.
clarkeNehemiah 13:10: "And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them: for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field."
The portions of the Levites had not been given - Hence we find they were obliged to abandon the sacred service, and betake themselves to cultivate the land for their support. This was the fault of the rulers, who permitted all these abuses.
barnesNehemiah 13:10: "And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them: for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field."
etc. During Nehemiah's absence there had been a general falling away, and there was danger of a complete national apostasy.
Nehemiah didn't just notice an empty Temple; he realized the reason for the lack of worship was a practical one: the Levites and singers, whose job it was to serve, had to abandon their posts because they weren't being paid. This reveals how quickly neglect of God's provision can lead to the abandonment of His service itself.
After reforming the people and reinforcing the Law, Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem following a period away and finds that the corrupt practices he fought so hard to eradicate have resurfaced. The high priest Eliashib, who had defiled the temple chambers and allied himself with enemies, has allowed the system of tithes and provisions for the Levites and singers to collapse, forcing them to abandon their sacred duties to support themselves from their fields. This neglect means the temple is forsaken, and the proper worship of God has ceased, a direct defiance of the covenant the people had recently reaffirmed.
After reforming the people and reinforcing the Law, Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem following a period away and finds that the corrupt practices he fought so hard to eradicate have resurfaced. The high priest Eliashib, who had defiled the temple chambers and allied himself with enemies, has allowed the system of tithes and provisions for the Levites and singers to collapse, forcing them to abandon their sacred duties to support themselves from their fields. This neglect means the temple is forsaken, and the proper worship of God has ceased, a direct defiance of the covenant the people had recently reaffirmed.
"I also found out that the portions of the Levites had not been given to them, so that the Levites and the singers, who did the work, had fled each to his field." — Nehemiah didn't just notice an empty Temple; he realized the reason for the lack of worship was a practical one: the Levites and singers, whose job it was to serve, had to abandon their posts becau…
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