Nehemiah 10:34
Nehemiah 10:34 in Multiple Translations
We have cast lots among the priests, Levites, and people for the donation of wood by our families at the appointed times each year. They are to bring it to the house of our God to burn on the altar of the LORD our God, as it is written in the Law.
And we cast the lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people, for the wood offering, to bring it into the house of our God, after the houses of our fathers, at times appointed year by year, to burn upon the altar of the LORD our God, as it is written in the law:
And we cast lots, the priests, the Levites, and the people, for the wood-offering, to bring it into the house of our God, according to our fathers’ houses, at times appointed, year by year, to burn upon the altar of Jehovah our God, as it is written in the law;
And we, the priests and the Levites and the people, made selection, by the decision of the Lord, of those who were to take the wood offering into the house of God, by families at the regular times, year by year, to be burned on the altar of the Lord our God, as it is recorded in the law;
We have allocated by lot among the priests, Levites, and the people, to determine who will bring wood to the Temple of our God to burn on the altar of the Lord our God at specific times during the year, as required by the Law.
We cast also lottes for the offering of the wood, euen the Priestes, the Leuites and the people to bring it into the house of our God, by the house of our fathers, yeerely at the times appointed, to burne it vpon the altar of the Lord our God, as it is written in the Lawe,
And the lots we have caused to fall for the offering of wood, [among] the priests, the Levites, and the people, to bring in to the house of our God, by the house of our fathers, at times appointed, year by year, to burn on the altar of Jehovah our God, as it is written in the law,
We, the priests, the Levites, and the people, cast lots for the wood offering, to bring it into the house of our God, according to our fathers’ houses, at times appointed year by year, to burn on the LORD our God’s altar, as it is written in the law;
And we cast the lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people, for the wood-offering, to bring it into the house of our God, after the houses of our fathers, at times appointed year by year, to burn upon the altar of the LORD our God, as it is written in the law:
And we cast lots among the priests, and the Levites, and the people for the offering of wood, that it might be brought into the house of our God by the houses of our fathers at set times, from year to year: to burn upon the altar of the Lord our God, as it is written in the law of Moses:
“Each year the priests, the other descendants of Levi who help the priests, and the rest of us will ◄cast lots/throw marked stones► to determine for that year which clans will provide wood to burn on the altar the sacrifices that are offered to Yahweh our God, in order to do what was written in the laws God gave to Moses.
Berean Amplified Bible — Nehemiah 10:34
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Nehemiah 10:34 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
לְ/לֶ֣חֶם
הַֽ/מַּעֲרֶ֡כֶת
וּ/מִנְחַ֣ת
הַ/תָּמִ֣יד
וּ/לְ/עוֹלַ֣ת
הַ֠/תָּמִיד
הַ/שַּׁבָּת֨וֹת
הֶ/חֳדָשִׁ֜ים
לַ/מּוֹעֲדִ֗ים
וְ/לַ/קֳּדָשִׁים֙
וְ/לַ֣/חַטָּא֔וֹת
לְ/כַפֵּ֖ר
עַל
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
וְ/כֹ֖ל
מְלֶ֥אכֶת
בֵּית
אֱלֹהֵֽי/נוּ
לְ/לֶ֣חֶם
lechem
H3899
food
Prep | N-cs
הַֽ/מַּעֲרֶ֡כֶת
maʻăreketh
H4635
row
Art | N-fs
וּ/מִנְחַ֣ת
minchâh
H4503
offering
Conj | N-fs
הַ/תָּמִ֣יד
tâmîyd
H8548
continually
Art | N-ms
וּ/לְ/עוֹלַ֣ת
ʻôlâh
H5930
burnt offering
Conj | Prep | N-fs
הַ֠/תָּמִיד
tâmîyd
H8548
continually
Art | N-ms
הַ/שַּׁבָּת֨וֹת
shabbâth
H7676
Sabbath
Art | N-cp
הֶ/חֳדָשִׁ֜ים
chôdesh
H2320
month
Art | N-mp
לַ/מּוֹעֲדִ֗ים
môwʻêd
H4150
meeting
Prep | N-mp
וְ/לַ/קֳּדָשִׁים֙
qôdesh
H6944
Holy Place
Conj | Prep | N-mp
וְ/לַ֣/חַטָּא֔וֹת
chaṭṭâʼâh
H2403
sin
Conj | Prep | N-fp
לְ/כַפֵּ֖ר
kâphar
H3722
to atone
Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
וְ/כֹ֖ל
kôl
H3605
all
Conj | N-ms
מְלֶ֥אכֶת
mᵉlâʼkâh
H4399
work
N-fs
בֵּית
bayith
H1004
place
N-ms
אֱלֹהֵֽי/נוּ
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
God
N-mp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Nehemiah 10:34
לְ/לֶ֣חֶם
lechem
H3899
"food"
Prep | N-cs
This Hebrew word refers to food, especially bread or grain. It's used throughout the Bible to describe meals, sacrifices, and daily life, highlighting the importance of food in ancient Israelite culture.
Definition: : food(eating) 1) bread, food, grain 1a) bread 1a1) bread 1a2) bread-corn 1b) food (in general)
Usage: Occurs in 277 OT verses. KJV: (shew-) bread, [idiom] eat, food, fruit, loaf, meat, victuals. See also: Genesis 3:19; 1 Samuel 20:34; Psalms 14:4.
הַֽ/מַּעֲרֶ֡כֶת
maʻăreketh
H4635
"row"
Art | N-fs
This term describes a row or line, like a pile of loaves, used in the context of shewbread or offerings.
Definition: row, line
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: row, shewbread. See also: Leviticus 24:6; 1 Chronicles 28:16; Nehemiah 10:34.
וּ/מִנְחַ֣ת
minchâh
H4503
"offering"
Conj | N-fs
The Hebrew word for offering refers to a gift or donation, often given to God as a sacrifice. In Leviticus 2:1, it describes a grain offering. It can also mean tribute or present.
Definition: : offering/sacrifice 1) gift, tribute, offering, present, oblation, sacrifice, meat offering 1a) gift, present 1b) tribute 1c) offering (to God) 1d) grain offering
Usage: Occurs in 194 OT verses. KJV: gift, oblation, (meat) offering, present, sacrifice. See also: Genesis 4:3; Numbers 29:28; Psalms 20:4.
הַ/תָּמִ֣יד
tâmîyd
H8548
"continually"
Art | N-ms
This Hebrew word means continually or constantly, like the daily sacrifice in the Bible. It describes something that happens regularly, like every day. It is used in books like Leviticus and Numbers to describe regular offerings.
Definition: 1) continuity, perpetuity, to stretch 1a) continually, continuously (as adverb) 1b) continuity (subst)
Usage: Occurs in 103 OT verses. KJV: alway(-s), continual (employment, -ly), daily, (n-)ever(-more), perpetual. See also: Exodus 25:30; Nehemiah 10:34; Psalms 16:8.
וּ/לְ/עוֹלַ֣ת
ʻôlâh
H5930
"burnt offering"
Conj | Prep | N-fs
This word refers to a step or stairs, often used to describe the ascent to the altar for a burnt offering. In the Bible, it can also mean a holocaust or sacrifice, like in Leviticus.
Definition: whole burnt offering Aramaic equivalent: a.lah (עֲלָת "burnt offering" H5928)
Usage: Occurs in 262 OT verses. KJV: ascent, burnt offering (sacrifice), go up to. See also H5766 (עֶוֶל). See also: Genesis 8:20; Numbers 15:5; 2 Chronicles 29:7.
הַ֠/תָּמִיד
tâmîyd
H8548
"continually"
Art | N-ms
This Hebrew word means continually or constantly, like the daily sacrifice in the Bible. It describes something that happens regularly, like every day. It is used in books like Leviticus and Numbers to describe regular offerings.
Definition: 1) continuity, perpetuity, to stretch 1a) continually, continuously (as adverb) 1b) continuity (subst)
Usage: Occurs in 103 OT verses. KJV: alway(-s), continual (employment, -ly), daily, (n-)ever(-more), perpetual. See also: Exodus 25:30; Nehemiah 10:34; Psalms 16:8.
הַ/שַּׁבָּת֨וֹת
shabbâth
H7676
"Sabbath"
Art | N-cp
The Hebrew word for the Sabbath, a day of rest and worship, as commanded by God in Exodus 20:8-11 and observed by the Israelites. It is a special day set apart for spiritual renewal and reflection, as Jesus taught in Matthew 12:1-14.
Definition: Sabbath 1a) sabbath 1b) day of atonement 1c) sabbath year 1d) week 1e) produce (in sabbath year)
Usage: Occurs in 89 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] every) sabbath. See also: Exodus 16:23; 2 Chronicles 2:3; Psalms 92:1.
הֶ/חֳדָשִׁ֜ים
chôdesh
H2320
"month"
Art | N-mp
The Hebrew term for month, specifically referring to the new moon and the lunar cycle, as described in the book of Exodus and the festivals of Israel. It marks the beginning of a new month in the Hebrew calendar.
Definition: : month 1) the new moon, month, monthly 1a) the first day of the month 1b) the lunar month
Usage: Occurs in 224 OT verses. KJV: month(-ly), new moon. See also: Genesis 7:11; 1 Chronicles 3:4; Psalms 81:4.
לַ/מּוֹעֲדִ֗ים
môwʻêd
H4150
"meeting"
Prep | N-mp
This Hebrew word refers to a meeting or appointed time, often for a sacred season or festival, like the tent of meeting in Exodus. It can also mean an assembly or congregation. In the Bible, it is used to describe the Israelites' gatherings and celebrations.
Definition: : meeting 1) appointed place, appointed time, meeting 1a) appointed time 1a1) appointed time (general) 1a2) sacred season, set feast, appointed season 1b) appointed meeting 1c) appointed place 1d) appointed sign or signal 1e) tent of meeting
Usage: Occurs in 213 OT verses. KJV: appointed (sign, time), (place of, solemn) assembly, congregation, (set, solemn) feast, (appointed, due) season, solemn(-ity), synogogue, (set) time (appointed). See also: Genesis 1:14; Numbers 4:31; Psalms 74:4.
וְ/לַ/קֳּדָשִׁים֙
qôdesh
H6944
"Holy Place"
Conj | Prep | N-mp
The Holy Place refers to a sacred or set-apart area, like the temple in Jerusalem. It is a place of sanctity and holiness, where God is worshipped. The Bible describes it as a place of reverence and awe.
Definition: This name means apartness, holiness, sacredness Also named: hagion (ἅγιον "Holy Place" G0039)
Usage: Occurs in 380 OT verses. KJV: consecrated (thing), dedicated (thing), hallowed (thing), holiness, ([idiom] most) holy ([idiom] day, portion, thing), saint, sanctuary. See also: Exodus 3:5; Leviticus 23:4; 1 Chronicles 26:26.
וְ/לַ֣/חַטָּא֔וֹת
chaṭṭâʼâh
H2403
"sin"
Conj | Prep | N-fp
This word describes sin, guilt, or punishment for sin, and also the sacrifice or purification made to atone for it. It is used in the Bible to describe the consequences and solutions for sin. The KJV translates it as 'punishment' or 'sin'.
Definition: sin, sinful thing
Usage: Occurs in 270 OT verses. KJV: punishment (of sin), purifying(-fication for sin), sin(-ner, offering). See also: Genesis 4:7; Numbers 12:11; Psalms 25:7.
לְ/כַפֵּ֖ר
kâphar
H3722
"to atone"
Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a
To cover means to coat or cover something, like when the ark was covered with pitch to protect it. This word is also used figuratively to describe making amends or forgiving someone, like in a sacrifice or atonement.
Definition: 1) to cover, purge, make an atonement, make reconciliation 1a) (Piel) 1a1) to cover over, pacify, propitiate 1a2) to cover over, atone for sin, make atonement for 1a3) to cover over, atone for sin and persons by legal rites 1b) (Pual) 1b1) to be covered over 1b2) to be atoned for 1c) (Hithpael) to be covered
Usage: Occurs in 94 OT verses. KJV: appease, make (an atonement, cleanse, disannul, forgive, be merciful, pacify, pardon, purge (away), put off, (make) reconcile(-liation). See also: Genesis 6:14; Leviticus 16:32; Psalms 65:4.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
וְ/כֹ֖ל
kôl
H3605
"all"
Conj | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
מְלֶ֥אכֶת
mᵉlâʼkâh
H4399
"work"
N-fs
Means work or employment, like a job or business, and is used to describe someone's occupation or the result of their labor, as seen in the Bible's description of various professions and industries.
Definition: 1) occupation, work, business 1a) occupation, business 1b) property 1c) work (something done or made) 1d) workmanship 1e) service, use 1f) public business 1f1) political 1f2) religious
Usage: Occurs in 149 OT verses. KJV: business, [phrase] cattle, [phrase] industrious, occupation, ([phrase] -pied), [phrase] officer, thing (made), use, (manner of) work((-man), -manship). See also: Genesis 2:2; 1 Chronicles 9:13; Psalms 73:28.
בֵּית
bayith
H1004
"place"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.
Definition: nm place, origin, between
Usage: Occurs in 1712 OT verses. KJV: court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). See also: Genesis 6:14; Exodus 8:5; Numbers 1:45.
אֱלֹהֵֽי/נוּ
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
"God"
N-mp | Suff
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
Study Notes — Nehemiah 10:34
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Nehemiah 10:34 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Nehemiah 10:34
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Nehemiah 10:34
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Nehemiah 10:34
- Trapp's Commentary on Nehemiah 10:34
- Ellicott's Commentary on Nehemiah 10:34
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Nehemiah 10:34
- Cambridge Bible on Nehemiah 10:34
- Barnes' Notes on Nehemiah 10:34
- Whedon's Commentary on Nehemiah 10:34
- Sermons on Nehemiah 10:34
Context — The Vows of the Covenant
32We also place ourselves under the obligation to contribute a third of a shekel yearly for the service of the house of our God:
33for the showbread, for the regular grain offerings and burnt offerings, for the Sabbath offerings, for the New Moons and appointed feasts, for the holy offerings, for the sin offerings to make atonement for Israel, and for all the duties of the house of our God.
34We have cast lots among the priests, Levites, and people for the donation of wood by our families at the appointed times each year. They are to bring it to the house of our God to burn on the altar of the LORD our God, as it is written in the Law.
35We will also bring the firstfruits of our land and of every fruit tree to the house of the LORD year by year. 36And we will bring the firstborn of our sons and our livestock, as it is written in the Law, and will bring the firstborn of our herds and flocks to the house of our God, to the priests who minister in the house of our God.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nehemiah 13:31 | I also arranged for contributions of wood at the appointed times, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, with favor. |
| 2 | Isaiah 40:16 | Lebanon is not sufficient for fuel, nor its animals enough for a burnt offering. |
| 3 | Leviticus 6:12–13 | The fire on the altar shall be kept burning; it must not be extinguished. Every morning the priest is to add wood to the fire, arrange the burnt offering on it, and burn the fat portions of the peace offerings on it. The fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually; it must not be extinguished. |
| 4 | Joshua 9:27 | On that day he made them woodcutters and water carriers, as they are to this day for the congregation of the LORD and for the altar at the place He would choose. |
| 5 | Nehemiah 11:1 | Now the leaders of the people settled in Jerusalem, and the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in the holy city of Jerusalem, while the remaining nine were to dwell in their own towns. |
| 6 | 1 Chronicles 25:8–9 | They cast lots for their duties, young and old alike, teacher as well as pupil. The first lot, which was for Asaph, fell to Joseph, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all; the second to Gedaliah, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all; |
| 7 | Hebrews 10:3–7 | Instead, those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sin offerings You took no delight. Then I said, ‘Here I am, it is written about Me in the scroll: I have come to do Your will, O God.’” |
| 8 | 1 Chronicles 24:7 | The first lot fell to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah, |
| 9 | 1 Chronicles 24:5 | Thus they were divided by lot, for there were officers of the sanctuary and officers of God among both Eleazar’s and Ithamar’s descendants. |
| 10 | Proverbs 18:18 | Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents. |
Nehemiah 10:34 Summary
[Nehemiah 10:34 shows how the Israelites worked together to provide wood for the temple altar, making sure they had enough for the daily burnt offerings. This was an important part of their worship, as commanded in the Law. By doing this, they demonstrated their commitment to obeying God's commands and prioritizing their relationship with Him, just like we're called to do in Romans 12:1. We can learn from their example by being more mindful of our own role in supporting the work of our local church and prioritizing our worship.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of casting lots among the priests, Levites, and people in Nehemiah 10:34?
Casting lots was a way to ensure fairness and equal distribution of responsibilities, as seen in other biblical contexts such as Leviticus 16:8 and Jonah 1:7, and in this case, it was used to organize the donation of wood for the altar.
Why was the donation of wood important for the temple?
The donation of wood was necessary to maintain the daily burnt offerings, as commanded in the Law, and to ensure the continuous worship and sacrifice in the temple, as mentioned in Exodus 29:38-42 and Numbers 28:1-8.
How does Nehemiah 10:34 relate to the broader theme of worship in the Bible?
This verse highlights the importance of corporate worship and the responsibility of the community to support the temple and its services, reflecting the principles found in Deuteronomy 12:5-7 and Psalms 84:1-4.
What can we learn from the Israelites' commitment to providing for the temple?
Their commitment demonstrates the value they placed on worship and obedience to God's commands, as seen in Malachi 3:10, and serves as an example for believers today to prioritize their relationship with God and support the work of the church.
Reflection Questions
- What role do I play in supporting the worship and work of my local church, and how can I be more intentional about it?
- In what ways can I apply the principle of corporate responsibility in my own community of faith, as seen in Nehemiah 10:34?
- How does the idea of bringing offerings to God, as mentioned in this verse, relate to my own practice of giving and sacrifice?
- What are some ways I can prioritize worship and obedience in my daily life, just as the Israelites did in this passage?
Gill's Exposition on Nehemiah 10:34
And we cast the lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people,.... The priests and Levites were in one lot, and the people in another, as Aben Ezra: for the wood offering; for providing wood to
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Nehemiah 10:34
And we cast the lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people, for the wood offering, to bring it into the house of our God, after the houses of our fathers, at times appointed year by year, to
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Nehemiah 10:34
We cast the lots, to determine the time and order in which each of them should take the care of the business. For the wood-offering; for the wood, which was to be spent in great quantity, being used in every sacrifice, and formerly had been supplied out of the temple’ s treasures, or by the king; which could not now be done. Into the house of our God, i.e. into the place appointed to receive it in the buildings adjoining or belonging to the temple. After the houses of our fathers, i. e. according to our several families, which were to take the charge of it by course.
Trapp's Commentary on Nehemiah 10:34
Nehemiah 10:34 And we cast the lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people, for the wood offering, to bring [it] into the house of our God, after the houses of our fathers, at times appointed year by year, to burn upon the altar of the LORD our God, as [it is] written in the law: Ver. 34. And we cast lots … for the wood offering] Heb. Kurban, or Korban, as the Gospel calleth it, because by offerings they came near to God. This wood offering we read not of till now: the prophet Isaiah telleth us, that if we should sacrifice unto God according to his excellent greatness, Lebanon would not be sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering, Isaiah 40:16. There was much use of fuel about the temple; and it was formerly provided out of the public treasury. But that now failing, they take another order, as here; that God might not be unserved, and the daily sacrifice neglected, which they held and called, The abomination of desolation.
Ellicott's Commentary on Nehemiah 10:34
(34) As it is written in the law.—Leviticus 6:12 prescribes that the fire on the altar should be kept burning by wood. But here we have the origin of the “feast of the wood-offering”—a special day, subsequently substituted for the “times appointed year by year.” The lot determined the order in which the various classes should supply the wood.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Nehemiah 10:34
Verse 34. Cast the lots -for the wood-offering] There does not appear to have been any wood-offering under the law. It was the business of the Nethinim to procure this; and hence they were called hewers of wood and drawers of water to the congregation. But it is very likely that after the captivity few Nethinim were found; for as such, who were the descendants of the Gibeonites, were considered only as slaves among the Israelites, they would doubtless find it as much, if not more, their interest to abide in the land of their captivity, than to return with their former masters. As there was not enough of such persons to provide wood for the fires of the temple, the people now cast lots, not who should furnish the wood, but what class or district should furnish it at a particular time of the year, so that there might be a constant supply. One district furnished it for one whole year, or for the first month or year; another, for the second month or year; and so on. Now the lot was to determine which district should bring the supply on the first month or year; which on the second; and so on. When the wood was brought, it was delivered to the Levites: they cut, prepared, and stacked it; and when wanted, delivered it to the priests, whose business it was to lay it upon the altar. Perhaps this providing of the wood was done only once a year by one district, the next year by another district, and so on: and this bringing the wood to the temple at last became a great day; and was constituted into a feast, called by Josephus ξυλοφορια, the carrying of the wood.-See De Bell. Jud. lib. ii., cap. xvii., sec. 6, p. 194.
This feast is not mentioned in the sacred writings: then there was no need for such an institution, as the Nethinim were sufficiently numerous.
Cambridge Bible on Nehemiah 10:34
34. And we cast the lots] R.V. And we cast lots. The use of the article in the Heb. does not here call attention to the use of any peculiarly sacred ‘lots,’ but generally to the means employed for ascertaining the Divine will. For decision by the casting of lots, cf. the choosing of the goat on the day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:8-10), the distribution of the Promised Land (Joshua 14:2; Joshua 18:10), the selection of the first king (1 Samuel 10:19), the distribution of offices among the 24 priestly houses (1 Chronicles 24:5; 1 Chronicles 25:8; 1 Chronicles 26:13), and of the priestly duties among the individual members (Luke 1:9). Here the lot was to decide the succession of the houses, which took it in turn to supply the wood for the sacrifices of the Temple. for the wood offering] Cf. Nehemiah 13:31. The supply of wood for the enormous number of sacrifices offered at the Temple of Jerusalem must have represented a large annual sum. The difficulty of procuring wood must have been very great: (1) the area of territory occupied by the Jewish community was small, (2) the trees in the neighbourhood must have suffered during the Chaldean invasion and siege. after the houses of our fathers] R.V. according to our fathers’ houses. Another translation, ‘even into the house of our fathers,’ i.e. ‘into the Temple’ would certainly be possible according to the Hebrew, but is not to be accepted, as its use occurs nowhere else, and after the mention of ‘the house of our God’ there would be no special appropriateness for the employment of another name. at times appointed] Cf.
Nehemiah 13:31; Ezra 10:14. According to the Talmud on nine days in the year. as it is written in the law] There is no statute in the Levitical code regulating the supply of firewood for the sacrifices. The only reference to the wood of the offering in ‘the Law’ is contained in Leviticus 6:12-13, ‘And the fire upon the altar shall be kept burning thereon, it shall not go out; and the priest shall burn wood on it every morning; and he shall lay the burnt offering in order upon it, and shall burn thereon the fat of the peace offerings. Fire shall be kept burning upon the altar continually; it shall not go out.’ If the words ‘as it is written in the law’ contain a reference to a passage in the Pentateuch, it must be looked for in connexion with ‘the burning on the altar’ (e.g. Leviticus 6:12-13), not with ‘the wood-offering.’ Against this it may fairly be urged that ‘the wood offering,’ being the principal subject of the verse, is also the most probable subject for this quotation from Scripture. But if ‘as it is written in the law’ alludes to ‘the wood offering,’ ‘the law’ must be understood in a general sense of the traditional regulations of the priests, which apparently were not all embodied in our Pentateuch.
Barnes' Notes on Nehemiah 10:34
No special provision was made by the Law, by David, or by Solomon, for the supply of wood necessary to keep fire ever burning upon the altar.
Whedon's Commentary on Nehemiah 10:34
34. Cast the lots — See note on Joshua 13:6. The wood offering — Large quantities of wood were necessary to the continual burnt offerings, and some provision must have been made for it from the first.
Sermons on Nehemiah 10:34
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Cd Gv287 Building Blocks by George Verwer | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of prayer and discipline in the Christian life. He compares the privileged access to resources and materials that believers in |
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(The Power of the Holy Spirit - 3) the Fire of God by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being a witness for Christ in our daily lives. He compares the church to a small sample of God's kingdom and encourages bel |
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Identify Strongholds and Clean House by Shane Idleman | Shane Idleman emphasizes the necessity of identifying strongholds in our lives and cleaning house spiritually. He draws parallels between the fire on the altar in Leviticus, which |
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Studies in Joshua 03 - Conquering the Land by Alden Gannett | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the preparation and conquest of Joshua as he leads the Israelites into the land of Canaan. The sermon begins by discussing Joshua's encounte |
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Joshua - Gibeon: Spiritual Warfare by Stephen Kaung | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of the children of Israel being deceived by the Gibeonites. The enemy sometimes tries to hinder our relationship with Christ by bui |
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From Babylon to Jerusalem - (Nehemiah) ch.11 - ch.13 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the challenges Nehemiah faced in getting people to live in Jerusalem. The city was in a state of disrepair and lacked opportunities for financ |
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A Peculiar Treasure by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the significance of being a 'peculiar treasure' to God, drawing parallels between the voluntary commitment of the people in Nehemiah's time to dwell in |