Table of Contents
A Written Commitment to God
Nehemiah chapter 10 is the direct outcome of the national confession in Nehemiah 9. Having reviewed their history and repented of their sins, the people of Israel now formalize their commitment to God in a written, binding agreement. This chapter is a detailed record of that covenant. It begins by listing the names of the leaders who officially sealed the document on behalf of the people, and then it outlines the specific, practical promises the entire community made. These oaths were not vague platitudes but concrete commitments to obey key aspects of the Law of Moses that had been neglected. The chapter is a powerful illustration of what true repentance looks like: not just sorrow for the past, but a determined, documented plan to live differently in the future.
The Signers of the Covenant
(Nehemiah 10:1-27) The covenant was made official and public. The document was authenticated with the seals of the recognized leaders of the community. The list of signatories is presented in a specific order, showing a united front of leadership. Nehemiah, as the governor (“the Tirshatha”), is the first to sign, demonstrating his role as the primary leader of the reform. He is followed by a long list of priests, led by Zedekiah. After the priests, the Levites are listed, and finally, the chiefs of the people. This comprehensive list, including representatives from the civil, priestly, and lay leadership, shows that the commitment was shared across all segments of society. The act of sealing the document was a solemn and legally binding action, indicating the seriousness of their intent.
The Oaths of the People
(Nehemiah 10:28-39) While the leaders officially sealed the document, the rest of the people also entered into the covenant. This included “the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple servants, and all who had separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the Law of God.” They all joined their leaders in taking an oath, which included a curse upon themselves if they failed to keep it. The oath was a general commitment “to walk in God’s Law that was given by Moses” and “to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord and his rules and his statutes.”
Following this general pledge, the covenant detailed several specific areas of obedience, targeting the very sins that had previously led the nation astray.
- Separation from Foreigners (v. 30): They promised not to give their daughters in marriage to the peoples of the land, nor to take their daughters for their sons. This directly addressed the primary issue of religious assimilation that Ezra and Nehemiah had both confronted.
- Observance of the Sabbath (v. 31): They pledged not to buy or sell goods on the Sabbath or any other holy day. This was a commitment to prioritize worship and rest over commerce, keeping the Sabbath holy as God had commanded.
- Observance of the Sabbatical Year (v. 31): They promised to forgo the crops of the seventh year and to cancel all debts, in accordance with the Law. This was an act of faith in God’s provision and a commitment to economic justice.
- Support for the Temple (v. 32-39): The largest section of the covenant deals with the practical support of the temple and its personnel. They imposed on themselves an annual tax of a third of a shekel for the temple service. They established a system for providing the wood for the altar fire. They committed to bringing their firstfruits of the ground, their firstborn sons and animals, and the tithes of their crops to the priests and Levites. These detailed provisions were designed to ensure that the worship of God would be properly maintained and that the priests and Levites would be supported, so they would not have to “neglect the house of our God.”
Verse by Verse
(Nehemiah 10:1-27) This section lists the names of those who officially sealed the written covenant. Nehemiah the governor signs first, followed by the priests, the Levites, and the heads of the people. This provides a formal record of the leadership’s commitment.
(Nehemiah 10:28-29) The rest of the community joins in the covenant. They all enter into a curse and an oath to obey the Law of Moses.
(Nehemiah 10:30) The first specific promise is made: no more intermarriage with the surrounding pagan peoples.
(Nehemiah 10:31) The second and third promises are made: to keep the Sabbath holy by refraining from business, and to observe the seventh year of rest for the land and the cancellation of debts.
(Nehemiah 10:32-33) The fourth promise is made: to take on the responsibility of an annual temple tax to pay for the materials needed for worship, such as the showbread and the various offerings.
(Nehemiah 10:34) The fifth promise is made: to cast lots to determine which families would be responsible for supplying wood for the altar at the appointed times.
(Nehemiah 10:35-37) The sixth and seventh promises are made: to bring the firstfruits and the firstborn to the temple as required by the Law, and to bring the tithes to the Levites, who would in turn give a tithe to the priests.
(Nehemiah 10:38-39) The system for collecting and storing the tithes in the temple storerooms is outlined. The chapter concludes with a powerful, summary resolution: “We will not neglect the house of our God.”
Cross References
Exodus 34:16: “You shall not take of their daughters for your sons, or give your daughters to their sons.” The covenant’s first promise is a direct recommitment to this foundational command against intermarriage, which was designed to protect Israel from idolatry.
Deuteronomy 5:12: “‘Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the LORD your God commanded you.'” The promise in Nehemiah 10:31 to cease all commerce on the Sabbath was a practical application of this core commandment from the Decalogue.
Leviticus 25:4-5: “In the seventh year there shall be a Sabbath of solemn rest for the land… You shall not sow your field or prune your vineyard.” The people’s pledge to observe the Sabbatical year was an act of faith, trusting God to provide for them while they let the land recover as He had commanded.
Exodus 30:13-14: The original Law called for a half-shekel tax for the sanctuary. The people in Nehemiah’s time commit to a one-third shekel tax, likely reflecting their difficult economic situation. The principle, however, remains the same: the personal, financial support of God’s house is the responsibility of God’s people.
Numbers 18:21: “To the sons of Levi, behold, I have given every tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service.” The detailed system of tithing in Nehemiah 10 was a direct effort to restore the biblical system of support for the Levites and priests, freeing them to devote themselves fully to their ministry.