Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.
Parallel translations
- WEB Then I contended with the rulers, and said, “Why is God’s house forsaken?” I gathered them together, and set them in their place.
- BSB So I rebuked the officials and asked, “Why has the house of God been neglected?” Then I gathered the Levites and singers together and stationed them at their posts,
- NKJV So I contended with the rulers, and said, “Why is the house of God forsaken?” And I gathered them together and set them in their place.
- NASB So I reprimanded the officials and said, “Why has the house of God been neglected?” Then I gathered them together and stationed them at their posts.
- NLT I immediately confronted the leaders and demanded, “Why has the Temple of God been neglected?” Then I called all the Levites back again and restored them to their proper duties.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Nehemiah rebuked the rulers, asking why God's house was forsaken, then gathered the Levites and restored them to their posts. It matters because faithful leaders confront neglect and act to revive God's worship.
Overview
Nehemiah held the officials accountable for the temple's abandonment and reinstated the Levites in their duties. His direct confrontation and corrective action display leadership zealous for God's honor. The concern that God's house not be forsaken reflects the heart of Christ, who gathers and restores His people to worship.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Neh 10:39For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God.
- Neh 13:25And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.
- Neh 13:17Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day?
- Neh 5:6–13And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.
- 1 Sam 2:17Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.
- Prov 28:4They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.
- Job 31:34Did I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrify me, that I kept silence, and went not out of the door?
- Mal 3:8–11Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
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Christ at the center
The rebuilt walls and renewed covenant community foreshadow the greater builder who gathers and secures a people for God, the one who declares 'I will build my church.'
How Nehemiah 13:11 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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