Nehemiah 13:29
Remember them, O my God, because they have desecrated the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Nehemiah doesn't just see a violation of a rule; he understands that marrying non-Jews profoundly "defiled the priesthood" and its very "covenant," meaning these leaders, set apart for God, broke their sacred trust and representation of the people. This wasn't just a personal mistake, but a corruption of the entire spiritual lineage and their unique calling.
Having just restored strict observance of the Sabbath and expelled foreigners from the Temple, Nehemiah now confronts the deeply disturbing issue of priests and Levites marrying women from surrounding nations. He sees this as a grave violation of their sacred calling and the special covenant they have with God, especially since this includes the high priest's own grandson who has taken such a wife. This verse marks Nehemiah’s desperate cry to God to judge these offenses against the sanctity of the priesthood and the covenant.
Nehemiah uses a powerful word to describe the priests' actions. It's not just about breaking a rule, but a profound violation of their sacred trust.
A Stain on Holiness
The Hebrew word Nehemiah uses here, translated as 'defiled,' carries a sense of ritual impurity and deep desecration. It speaks to something being rendered unclean and unfit for God's service.
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This isn't just an angry outburst; it's a prayer rooted in Nehemiah's understanding of God's justice and his own role.
Committing to God's Justice
Nehemiah's cry to God isn't about seeking personal revenge. Instead, he's entrusting the situation to the One who sees all and judges righteously.
Understand the original words
kehunnah · Hebrew Noun
The formal office and spiritual service performed by those set apart to minister in God's presence, offering sacrifices and interceding for the people. It carries a mandate of holiness and separation unto God.
berit · Hebrew Noun
A solemn, binding agreement between God and His people, characterized by divine promise and the requirement of faithful obedience. It is the framework through which God enters into relationship with His covenant community.
ga'al · Hebrew Verb
To treat something sacred as common or profane. It involves violating the holiness of a person, place, or object that has been dedicated exclusively to God's service.
This verse reflects a specific crisis during Nehemiah's second governorship when priests and Levites married foreigners, violating their sacred covenant. This act corrupted the purity of the priesthood and the special relationship Levi had with God, leading to Nehemiah's desperate prayer for divine remembrance and justice.
c. 458 BC
Ezra's Return to Jerusalem
Ezra the scribe returns to Jerusalem with a large group of exiles. He focuses on religious reform, particularly addressing intermarriage with foreign women.
c. 444-433 BC
Nehemiah's Governorship and Reforms
Nehemiah serves as governor of Judah, overseeing the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls and implementing further reforms. This period includes addressing widespread issues of Sabbath-breaking and intermarriage.
c. 433 BC— this verse
Nehemiah's Second Term and Priesthood Crisis
Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem for a second term and discovers that the people, including priests and Levites, have resumed intermarrying with foreigners, particularly the daughters of Sanballat and Tobiah. This includes the grandson of the high priest marrying Sanballat's daughter.
c. 433 BC
Nehemiah's Confrontation and Purity Measures
Nehemiah forcefully confronts the offenders, expelling the high priest's grandson from his presence and purifying the priests and Levites who had defiled themselves. He reinstates proper temple duties and the collection of tithes.
This passage directly parallels Nehemiah's lament, accusing the priests of corrupting the covenant of Levi and causing many to stumble through their unfaithfulness.
Leviticus 21:6-8This Levitical law outlines the sanctity required of priests, emphasizing their role as holy to the Lord, which is precisely what Nehemiah laments has been defiled.
Numbers 25:11-13This passage highlights God's covenant with Phinehas, establishing an everlasting priesthood, making the later defilement of that sacred trust by intermarriage a grave violation.
Deuteronomy 33:8-11This passage describes the Levites' sacred duty and God's blessing upon them for upholding His word and teaching His ways, underscoring the seriousness of their deviation mentioned in Nehemiah.
Nehemiah 10:39This verse references the renewed covenant the people made to support the temple service, making the priests' later violation a betrayal of this communal commitment as well.
clarkeNehemiah 13:29: "Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites."
Because they have defiled the priesthood - God, therefore, will remember their iniquities against them, and punish them for their transgressions. These words of Nehemiah are to be understood declaratively.
ellicottNehemiah 13:29: "Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites."
(29) Remember them. —This priestly violation of law is committed to God alone for punishment. And of the Levites.—God chose the tribe of Levi for Himself, specially the house of Aaron, and every priest was to be “holy to the Lord” (Leviticus 21:6; Leviticus 21:8). This was “the covenant of the priesthood;” though there may be an undertone of reference to t…
Nehemiah doesn't just see a violation of a rule; he understands that marrying non-Jews profoundly "defiled the priesthood" and its very "covenant," meaning these leaders, set apart for God, broke their sacred trust and representation of the people. This wasn't just a personal mistake, but a corruption of the entire spiritual lineage and their unique calling.
Having just restored strict observance of the Sabbath and expelled foreigners from the Temple, Nehemiah now confronts the deeply disturbing issue of priests and Levites marrying women from surrounding nations. He sees this as a grave violation of their sacred calling and the special covenant they have with God, especially since this includes the high priest's own grandson who has taken such a wife. This verse marks Nehemiah’s desperate cry to God to judge these offenses against the sanctity of the priesthood and the covenant.
Having just restored strict observance of the Sabbath and expelled foreigners from the Temple, Nehemiah now confronts the deeply disturbing issue of priests and Levites marrying women from surrounding nations. He sees this as a grave violation of their sacred calling and the special covenant they have with God, especially since this includes the high priest's own grandson who has taken such a wife. This verse marks Nehemiah’s desperate cry to God to judge these offenses against the sanctity of the priesthood and the covenant.
"Remember them, O my God, because they have desecrated the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites." — Nehemiah doesn't just see a violation of a rule; he understands that marrying non-Jews profoundly "defiled the priesthood" and its very "covenant," meaning these leaders, set apart for God, broke the…
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