Translations
Modern
Thus I purified the priests and Levites from everything foreign, and I assigned specific duties to each of the priests and Levites.
Traditional
Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business;
Literal
And I purified them from everything foreign, and I appointed duties for the priests and for the Levites, each man in his work,
Latin
Igitur mundavi eos ab omnibus alienigenis, et constitui ordines sacerdotum et Levitarum, unumquemque in ministerio suo:
Original
Hebrew
English
Thus I purified the priests and Levites from everything foreign, and I assigned specific duties to each of the priests and Levites.
Notes
These final verses summarize Nehemiah’s reform. Nehemiah ensured the people kept their promises. He held them accountable and did not accept half-hearted efforts.
Nehemiah made two more changes to bring back correct Sabbath observance (Nehemiah 13:15–22) and correct marriage practices (13:23–31). These two sections follow a similar pattern: Nehemiah found a problem, fixed it, and then asked God for a blessing.
Theme notes and profiles
Parallels
People
Levi: Son of Jacob; progenitor of the Levites
Glossary
Book of Nehemiah Malachi, Book of Nehemiah (Person) Postexilic Period
Topics
Divorce: Forced on Those Who had Idolatrous Wives Divorce: General Scriptures Concerning Fuel for Temple, How Provided Priest: The Time of Moses: Twenty-Four Divisions (Shifts) of