Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

10:1-27 The long list of those who put their names to the covenant is designed to show that the entire community--priests, Levites, and lay leaders--was wholeheartedly behind it. These are prominent people in the community; many of their names have appeared before in Nehemiah (esp. in vv. 20-27; see also ch. 3).

10:28-39 The people essentially undertake to keep the entire Mosaic law. The enumeration of laws is selective, however, highlighting major issues of their day.

10:28-29 The range of those who solemnly agreed to the covenant is now widened to include all groups in the community.

10:29 a curse and an oath. The two expressions convey together the people's serious intention to keep their commitment. The "curse" refers to some terrible penalty, perhaps performed as a ritual, that they accept as their due if they fail (see 1 Kings 19:2; Jer. 34:18). commandments . . . rules . . . statutes. See note on Neh. 9:13-14.

10:30 The Mosaic prohibition of intermarriage with the peoples of the land (as worshipers of other gods) is in the forefront because it was such a problem in the recent past (Ezra 9-10).

10:31 The Sabbath commandment (Ex. 20:8-11; Deut. 5:12-15) was no doubt important as a key marker of Israel's identity compared with the surrounding groups of people who did not acknowledge Yahweh as their God. Trading with these people on the Sabbath must have been a temptation (see Neh. 13:16-22). crops of the seventh year. The Sabbath idea extended to the seventh year, when the normal work of cultivation was prohibited (Lev. 25:2-7).

10:32 third part of a shekel. No Pentateuchal law requires this tax, so it is a new commitment. (See, however, Moses' particular levy in Ex. 30:11-16.) The purpose is to support the service of the house of our God; God's people must be true to their calling as a worshiping community.

10:33 This is intended as a comprehensive list of the offerings and occasions of temple worship. showbread. See Lev. 24:5-9.

10:34 wood offering. Again, no specific law requires this tax, but the need for it is implied in Lev. 6:12-13; for this reason it is said, it is written in the Law.

10:35-37 These verses summarize the agricultural offerings made to supply the temple personnel, as specified in various Pentateuchal laws (e.g., Ex. 23:19; 34:26; Num. 18:12-13; Deut. 26:1-11). These offerings were not always paid (see Neh. 13:10).

10:36 firstborn of our sons. In fact, these were "redeemed" by sacrifice (Ex. 13:13; 34:20). herds . . . flocks. See Num. 18:15-18 and Deut. 15:19-23.

10:37 first of our dough. See Num. 15:20-21 and Deut. 18:4. Tithes are due to the Levites according to Num. 18:21-24, though the laity participates in a celebration of the tithe at the sanctuary in Deut. 14:22-27.

10:38 the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes to the house of our God. This refers to the Levites' offering of part of the tithe to the priests (Num. 18:25-32). Even those who serve in the temple were responsible to give to God from what they received.

10:39 not neglect the house of our God. To maintain the temple personnel is at the same time to care for the temple and to honor God, and thus to foster covenant faithfulness.