Nehemiah 13:5
And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which was commanded to be given to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests.
Nehemiah 13:5 · King James Version
Meaning
The verse describes the preparation of a great chamber for King Hezekiah where various offerings and tithes were laid before him. These offerings included meat offerings, frankincense, vessels, tithes of corn, new wine, and oil, all of which were commanded to be given to the Levites, singers, porters, and priests. This chamber was designated for the storage and organization of these essential items for the worship and service of God. The allocation of these resources to different groups within the religious community highlights the importance of providing for the needs of those who served in the temple and facilitated the worship ceremonies. King Hezekiah's careful and systematic preparation of this chamber demonstrates his commitment to upholding the religious practices and supporting the religious leaders and workers in their duties.
Theological Overview
In this verse, we see a description of a chamber prepared for storing various offerings in the temple. The chamber was specifically designated for storing meat offerings, frankincense, vessels, tithes of corn, new wine, and oil that were to be given to the Levites, singers, and porters as commanded by God. The offerings of the priests were also stored in this chamber. This verse highlights the importance of provision and support for those who served in the temple. The Levites, singers, porters, and priests dedicated their lives to serving God and the people, and it was essential for them to receive their share of the offerings brought to the temple. This passage emphasizes the value of generosity, obedience to God's commands, and the importance of ensuring that those who serve in ministry are taken care of.
Nehemiah 13:5 in other translations
American Standard Version
had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meal-offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the grain, the new wine, and the oil, which were given by commandment to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the heave-offerings for the priests.
World English Bible
had prepared for him a great room, where before they laid the meal offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the grain, the new wine, and the oil, which were given by commandment to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the wave offerings for the priests.
Douay-Rheims
And he made him a great storeroom, where before him they laid up gifts, and frankincense, and vessels, and the tithes of the corn, of the wine, and of the oil, the portions of the Levites, and of the singing men, and of the porters, and the firstfruits of the priests.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And he had made him a great chamber and there had they aforetime layde the offringes, the incense, and the vessels, and the tithes of corne, of wine, and of oyle (appointed for the Leuites, and the singers, and the porters) and the offringes of the Priests.