Nehemiah 13:30
New International Version
So I purified the priests and the Levites of everything foreign, and assigned them duties, each to his own task.

New Living Translation
So I purged out everything foreign and assigned tasks to the priests and Levites, making certain that each knew his work.

English Standard Version
Thus I cleansed them from everything foreign, and I established the duties of the priests and Levites, each in his work;

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

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

New King James Version
Thus I cleansed them of everything pagan. I also assigned duties to the priests and the Levites, each to his service,

New American Standard Bible
So I purified them from everything foreign, and assigned duties to the priests and the Levites, each in his work,

NASB 1995
Thus I purified them from everything foreign and appointed duties for the priests and the Levites, each in his task,

NASB 1977
Thus I purified them from everything foreign and appointed duties for the priests and the Levites, each in his task,

Legacy Standard Bible
Thus I cleansed them from everything foreign and ensured that the responsibilities stood for the priests and the Levites, each in his work,

Amplified Bible
Thus I cleansed and purified them from everything foreign (pagan), and I defined the duties of the priests and Levites, each one in his task;

Christian Standard Bible
So I purified them from everything foreign and assigned specific duties to each of the priests and Levites.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So I purified them from everything foreign and assigned specific duties to each of the priests and Levites.

American Standard Version
Thus cleansed I them from all foreigners, and appointed charges for the priests and for the Levites, every one in his work;

Contemporary English Version
Then I made sure that the people were free from every foreign influence, and I assigned duties for the priests and Levites.

English Revised Version
Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed wards for the priests and for the Levites, every one in his work;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So I cleansed them from everything that was foreign. I assigned duties to the priests and Levites. Each one had his own assignment.

Good News Translation
I purified the people from everything foreign; I prepared regulations for the priests and the Levites so that all of them would know their duties;

International Standard Version
I purified them from everything foreign, arranged duties for the priests and the descendants of Levi, each to his task,

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

NET Bible
So I purified them of everything foreign, and I assigned specific duties to the priests and the Levites.

New Heart English Bible
Thus I cleansed them from all foreigners, and appointed duties for the priests and for the Levites, everyone in his work;

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

World English Bible
Thus I cleansed them from all foreigners and appointed duties for the priests and for the Levites, everyone in his work;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And I have cleansed them from every stranger, and appoint charges to priests and to Levites, each in his work,

Young's Literal Translation
And I have cleansed them from every stranger, and appoint charges to priests and to Levites, each in his work,

Smith's Literal Translation
And I cleansed them from every stranger, and I shall set up watches to the priests and to the Levites, a man in his work.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
So I separated from them all strangers, and I appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites, every man in his ministry :

Catholic Public Domain Version
And so I cleansed them from all foreigners, and I established the orders of the priests and the Levites, each one in his ministry.

New American Bible
So I cleansed them of all foreign contamination. I established the various functions for the priests and Levites, so that each had an appointed task.

New Revised Standard Version
Thus I cleansed them from everything foreign, and I established the duties of the priests and Levites, each in his work;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Thus I cleansed them from all the Gentiles and appointed them over their duties, both the priests and the Levites, every one in his work;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And I purified them from all the Gentiles, and I set them at their positions with the Priests and with the Levites, each man in his work.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Thus cleansed I them from everything foreign, and appointed wards for the priests and for the Levites, every one in his work;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
So I purged them from all foreign connection, and established courses for the priests and the Levites, every man according to his work.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Intermarriage Forbidden
29Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites. 30Thus I purified the priests and Levites from everything foreign, and I assigned specific duties to each of the priests and Levites. 31I also arranged for contributions of wood at the appointed times, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, with favor.…

Cross References
Ezra 9:1-2
After these things had been accomplished, the leaders approached me and said, “The people of Israel, including the priests and Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the surrounding peoples whose abominations are like those of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites. / Indeed, the Israelites have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, so that the holy seed has been mixed with the people of the land. And the leaders and officials have taken the lead in this unfaithfulness!”

Malachi 2:11
Judah has broken faith; an abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem. For Judah has profaned the LORD’s beloved sanctuary by marrying the daughter of a foreign god.

Deuteronomy 7:3-4
Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, / because they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods. Then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and He will swiftly destroy you.

1 Kings 11:1-2
King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women. / These women were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.” Yet Solomon clung to these women in love.

2 Corinthians 6:14-17
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? / What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? / What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” ...

Ezra 10:10-11
Then Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, “You have been unfaithful by marrying foreign women, adding to the guilt of Israel. / Now, therefore, make a confession to the LORD, the God of your fathers, and do His will. Separate yourselves from the people of the land and from your foreign wives.”

Leviticus 20:26
You are to be holy to Me because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be My own.

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Deuteronomy 14:2
for you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all the peoples on the face of the earth.

1 Corinthians 5:6-7
Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven works through the whole batch of dough? / Get rid of the old leaven, that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

Exodus 19:5-6
Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. / And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites.”

1 Kings 8:53
For You, O Lord GOD, have set them apart from all the peoples of the earth as Your inheritance, as You spoke through Your servant Moses when You brought our fathers out of Egypt.”

2 Corinthians 7:1
Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Leviticus 19:2
“Speak to the whole congregation of Israel and tell them: Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.

1 Thessalonians 4:7
For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness.


Treasury of Scripture

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

cleansed.

Nehemiah 10:30
And that we would not give our daughters unto the people of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons:

appointed.

Nehemiah 12:1-26
Now these are the priests and the Levites that went up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, …

1 Chronicles 23:1-26:32
So when David was old and full of days, he made Solomon his son king over Israel…

Jump to Previous
Appoint Appointed Assigned Business Charges Clean Cleansed Duties Established Fixed Foreign Foreigners Levites Priests Purified Regular Service Strange Stranger Strangers Task Wards Watches Work
Jump to Next
Appoint Appointed Assigned Business Charges Clean Cleansed Duties Established Fixed Foreign Foreigners Levites Priests Purified Regular Service Strange Stranger Strangers Task Wards Watches Work
Nehemiah 13
1. Upon the reading of the law, separation is made from the mixed multitude.
4. Nehemiah, at his return, causes the chambers to be cleansed.
10. He reforms the offices in the house of God;
15. the violation of the Sabbath;
23. and the marriages with the strange wives.














So I purified
The Hebrew root for "purified" is "טָהֵר" (taher), which means to cleanse or make ceremonially clean. In the context of Nehemiah, this purification is both a physical and spiritual act, signifying a return to holiness and dedication to God. Nehemiah's leadership emphasizes the importance of purity in worship and service, reflecting the broader biblical theme of holiness as separation from sin and dedication to God.

the priests and Levites
The priests and Levites were the religious leaders and temple servants in Israel. Their roles were crucial for maintaining the spiritual health of the nation. Historically, the Levites were set apart by God to assist the priests and perform duties related to the temple. Nehemiah's focus on purifying these groups underscores the need for spiritual leaders to be examples of holiness and integrity, as they guide others in worship and service.

of everything foreign
The phrase "everything foreign" refers to influences and practices that were contrary to the covenantal laws given to Israel. This could include foreign marriages, idolatrous practices, or any customs that led the people away from their unique identity as God's chosen people. Nehemiah's reform was a call to return to the covenant, emphasizing the importance of cultural and religious distinctiveness in maintaining a faithful relationship with God.

and I assigned them duties
The assignment of duties indicates a restoration of order and function within the temple service. Nehemiah's leadership involved not only purifying the religious leaders but also ensuring that they were actively engaged in their God-given roles. This reflects the biblical principle that each member of the community has a specific role to play in the body of believers, contributing to the overall health and mission of God's people.

each to his own task
This phrase highlights the importance of individual responsibility and the proper functioning of the community. In the context of the temple service, it was essential that each priest and Levite knew their specific duties to maintain the order and sanctity of worship. This mirrors the New Testament teaching on spiritual gifts, where each believer is called to serve according to their unique abilities and calling, contributing to the unity and effectiveness of the church.

(30, 31) Conclusion.

(30) This is a brief recapitulation of the special Work of Nehemiah after his return.

Thus cleansed I them.--After the acts of discipline described above, there was doubtless some formal service of expiation.

Verse 30. - Thus cleansed I them. Rather, "And I cleansed them." The process of cleansing touched on in this verse, and also in ver. 3, is not described. It probably resembled the process adopted by Ezra (Ezra 10:5-17). And appointed the wards. i.e. "assigned their offices to the various priests and Levites" (see Nehemiah 11:11-24; Nehemiah 12:44; Nehemiah 13:13).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Thus I purified [the priests and Levites]
וְטִֽהַרְתִּ֖ים (wə·ṭi·har·tîm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 2891: To be clean or pure

from everything
מִכָּל־ (mik·kāl)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

foreign,
נֵכָ֑ר (nê·ḵār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5236: That which is foreign, foreignness

and I assigned
וָאַעֲמִ֧ידָה (wā·’a·‘ă·mî·ḏāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

specific
בִּמְלַאכְתּֽוֹ׃ (bim·laḵ·tōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4399: Deputyship, ministry, employment, work, property

duties
מִשְׁמָר֛וֹת (miš·mā·rō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4931: A guard, watch, charge, function

to each
אִ֥ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

of the priests
לַכֹּהֲנִ֥ים (lak·kō·hă·nîm)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3548: Priest

and Levites.
וְלַלְוִיִּ֖ם (wə·lal·wî·yim)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi


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OT History: Nehemiah 13:30 Thus cleansed I them from all foreigners (Neh Ne)
Nehemiah 13:29
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