Nehemiah 13:5
French (La Bible expliquée)
il mit à sa disposition une grande pièce dans laquelle on avait entreposé jusqu'alors les offrandes végétales, l'encens et les ustensiles du temple, ainsi que les parts dues aux prêtres, et la dîme du blé, du vin nouveau et de l'huile, réservée aux lévites, aux chanteurs et aux portiers. Néhémie est retourné en Mésopotamie, après avoir achevé son premier mandat de gouverneur. Pensant peut-être qu'il ne reviendrait pas, Éliachib (un personnage différent du grand-prêtre de 3.1) a permis à Tobia, ennemi de Néhémie, d'occuper une vaste pièce du temple. A son retour pour un second mandat, Néhémie chasse immédiatement l'Ammonite Tobia. Ce dernier, qui occupait indûment une salle donnant sur la cour du temple, en aurait profité pour développer des contacts hostiles à Néhémie (6.17-19). Cette dernière partie du livre est autobiographique: à partir du v. 6, Néhémie s'exprime à la première personne. Après être retourné auprès du roi perse durant quelque temps, Néhémie revient à Jérusalem pour une seconde mission, sans doute en 432. Dès son arrivée, il doit réprimer les désordres graves survenus dans la communauté. Sa première mesure consiste à chasser Tobia, gendre du prêtre Éliachib, qui occupait indûment une salle donnant sur la cour du temple.
What Does This Mean?
This verse talks about a chamber that was prepared for someone. This chamber was previously used to store offerings and tithes meant for the Levites, singers, porters, and priests. The offerings included food, wine, oil, and more. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining the sanctity of designated places.
Explained for Children
Imagine if your toy box was so special that it used to hold all the treats and gifts meant for the people who take care of the house. This verse is like saying someone got a really big toy box, but it used to hold important things for the helpers.
Historical Background
Nehemiah 13 was written by Nehemiah, a Jewish leader who lived around 445-433 BCE. He wrote this during the time when the Jews were returning from exile and rebuilding their city and temple. The text reflects the challenges of maintaining religious and societal order after the exile.
Living It Out Today
Consider a scenario where a community center has a special room for donations and resources. If someone decides to use this room for a different purpose, it can disrupt the intended use and cause confusion. This verse reminds us of the importance of respecting and maintaining the purpose of spaces and resources.
Topics
tithingsanctuaryLevitespriestsofferingsresources
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Frequently Asked Questions
What was the significance of the chamber mentioned in Nehemiah 13:5?
The chamber was originally used to store important offerings and tithes for religious personnel, highlighting the sacred nature of the space and its purpose in supporting the temple staff.
Why were the Levites, singers, and porters important in ancient Israel?
The Levites served as religious leaders, singers provided musical worship, and porters maintained the temple gates. Their roles were essential for religious and communal life in ancient Israel.
How does Nehemiah 13:5 relate to modern church practices?
It underscores the importance of maintaining designated spaces and resources for their intended purposes, such as keeping a church's treasury separate and focused on supporting the ministry and community.
What can we learn about giving from Nehemiah 13:5?
This verse reminds us of the importance of giving and maintaining the integrity of resources set aside for the support of religious and community workers, emphasizing faithfulness and dedication.