נְחֶמְיָה

Nehemiah — Chapter 13

Read Nehemiah Chapter 13 in Biblical Hebrew alongside the King James Version (KJV) — 31 verses. Original Hebrew text with vowel points (nikud) and full English translation.

בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֡וּא נִקְרָ֡א בְּסֵ֣פֶר מֹשֶׁ֡ה בְּאָזְנֵ֣י הָעָ֑ם וְנִמְצָ֣א כָת֣וּב בּ֗וֹ אֲשֶׁ֛ר לֹא יָב֥וֹא עַמֹּנִ֖י וּמֹאָבִ֥י בִּקְהַ֖ל הָאֱלֹהִ֥ים עַד עוֹלָֽם׃

KJVOn that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever;

On that day they read from the Book of Moses in the hearing of the people. And in it was found written that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the assembly of God,

כִּ֣י לֹ֣א קִדְּמ֡וּ אֶת בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֡ל בַּלֶּ֡חֶם וּבַמָּ֡יִם וַיִּשְׂכֹּ֣ר עָלָ֡יו אֶת בִּלְעָ֡ם לְקַלְּל֑וֹ וַיַּהֲפֹ֧ךְ אֱלֹהֵ֛ינוּ הַקְּלָלָ֖ה לִבְרָכָֽה׃

KJVBecause they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.

because they did not meet the people of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them—yet our God turned the curse into a blessing.

וַיְהִ֕י כְּשָׁמְעָ֖ם אֶת הַתּוֹרָ֑ה וַיַּבְדִּ֖ילוּ כָּל עֵ֥רֶב מִיִּשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

KJVNow it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.

As soon as the people heard the law, they separated from Israel all those of foreign descent.

וְלִפְנֵ֣י מִזֶּ֔ה אֶלְיָשִׁ֥יב הַכֹּהֵ֖ן נָת֣וּן בְּלִשְׁכַּ֖ת בֵּ֣ית אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ קָר֖וֹב לְטוֹבִיָּֽה׃

KJVAnd before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah:

Now before this, Eliashib the priest, who was appointed over the chambers of the house of our God, and who was related to Tobiah,

וַיַּ֤עַשׂ לוֹ֙ לִשְׁכָּ֣ה גְדוֹלָ֔ה וְשָׁ֣ם הָי֣וּ לְפָנִ֡ים נֹתְנִ֡ים אֶ֣ת הַמִּנְחָ֡ה הַלְּבוֹנָ֡ה וְהַכֵּלִ֡ים וּמַעְשַׂ֣ר הַדָּגָ֡ן הַתִּיר֡וֹשׁ וְהַיִּצְהָ֡ר מִצְוַ֣ת הַלְוִיִּ֡ם וְהַמְשֹׁרְרִ֡ים וְהַשֹּׁעֲרִ֡ים וּתְרוּמַ֣ת הַכֹּהֲנִֽים׃

KJVAnd 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.

had prepared for Tobiah a large chamber where they had previously put the grain offering, the frankincense, the vessels, and the tithes of grain, wine, and oil, which were given by commandment to the Levites, singers, and gatekeepers, and the contributions for the priests.

וּבְכָ֣ל זֶה֩ לֹ֨א הָיִ֜יתִי בִּירוּשָׁלִָ֗ם כִּ֣י בִשְׁנַ֣ת שְׁלֹשִׁ֡ים וּשְׁתַּ֡יִם לְאַרְתַּחְשַׁסְתְּ֡א מֶ֣לֶךְ בָּבֶ֡ל בָּ֣אתִי אֶ֣ל הַמֶּ֡לֶךְ וּלְקֵ֡ץ יָמִ֡ים נִשְׁאַ֡לְתִּי מִן הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃

KJVBut in all this time was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king:

While this was taking place, I was not in Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I went to the king. And after some time I asked leave of the king

וָאָב֣וֹא לִירוּשָׁלִַ֡ם וָאָבִ֡ינָה בָרָעָ֡ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֡ה אֶלְיָשִׁ֡יב לְטוֹבִיָּ֡ה לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת ל֡וֹ נִשְׁכָּ֡ה בְּחַצְר֡וֹת בֵּ֣ית הָאֱלֹהִֽים׃

KJVAnd I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God.

and came to Jerusalem, and I then discovered the evil that Eliashib had done for Tobiah, preparing for him a chamber in the courts of the house of God.

וַיֵּ֣רַע לִ֣י מְאֹ֡ד וָאַשְׁלִ֡יכָה אֶת כָּל כְּלֵ֣י בֵ֣ית טוֹבִיָּ֡ה הַח֡וּץ מִן הַלִּשְׁכָּֽה׃

KJVAnd it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber.

And it grieved me bitterly. So I threw all the household furniture of Tobiah out of the chamber.

וָאֹמְרָ֕ה וַיְטַהֲר֖וּ הַלְּשָׁכ֑וֹת וָאָשִׁ֣יבָה שָּׁ֗ם כְּלֵי֙ בֵּ֣ית הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים אֶת הַמִּנְחָ֖ה וְהַלְּבוֹנָֽה׃

KJVThen I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat offering and the frankincense.

Then I gave orders, and they cleansed the chambers, and I brought back there the vessels of the house of God, with the grain offering and the frankincense.

וָאֵדְעָ֗ה כִּי מְנָי֤וֹת הַלְוִיִּם֙ לֹ֣א נִתָּ֔נָה וַיִּבְרְח֛וּ אִ֥ישׁ לִשְׂדֵ֖הוּ הַלְוִיִּ֥ם וְהַמְשֹׁרְרִֽים עֹשֵׂ֥י הַמְּלָאכָֽה׃

KJVAnd I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them: for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field.

I also found out that the portions of the Levites had not been given to them, so that the Levites and the singers, who did the work, had fled each to his field.

וָאָרִ֙יבָה֙ אֶת הַסְּגָנִ֔ים וָאֹמְרָ֕ה מַדּ֖וּעַ נֶעֱזַ֣ב בֵּית הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים וָאֶקְבְּצֵ֖ם וָֽאַעֲמִ֥דֵם עַל עָמְדָֽם׃

KJVThen contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? and I gathered them together, and set them in their place.

So I confronted the officials and said: Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together and stationed them in their posts.

וְכָל יְהוּדָ֗ה הֵבִ֗יאוּ מַעְשַׂ֥ר הַדָּגָ֛ן וְהַתִּיר֥וֹשׁ וְהַיִּצְהָ֖ר לָאֽוֹצָרֽוֹת׃

KJVThen brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries.

Then all Judah brought the tithe of the grain, wine, and oil into the storehouses.

וָאֽוֹצְרָ֗ה עַל הָאֽוֹצָרֽוֹת֙ שֶׁלֶמְיָ֣ה הַכֹּהֵ֔ן וְצָד֥וֹק הַסֹּפֵ֖ר וּפְדָיָ֑ה מִן הַלְוִיִּ֔ם וְעַל יָדָ֗ם חָנָ֤ן בֶּן זַכּוּר֙ בֶּן מַתַּנְיָ֔ה כִּ֤י נֶאֱמָנִים֙ נֶחְשָׁ֔בוּ וַעֲלֵיהֶ֖ם לְחַלֵּ֥ק לַאֲחֵיהֶֽם׃

KJVAnd I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren.

And I appointed as treasurers over the storehouses Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and Pedaiah of the Levites, and as their assistant Hanan the son of Zaccur, son of Mattaniah, for they were considered reliable, and their duty was to distribute to their brothers.

זָכְרָ֥ה לִּ֖י אֱלֹהַ֑י עַ֣ל זֹ֔את וְאַל תֶּ֕מַח חֲסָדַ֖י אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשִׂ֖יתִי לְבֵ֥ית אֱלֹהַ֖י וּלְמִשְׁמְרָֽיו׃

KJVRemember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof.

Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God and for his service.

בַּיָּמִ֣ים הָהֵ֡מָּה רָאִ֡יתִי בִּיהוּדָ֡ה דֹּרְכִ֡ים גִּתּ֡וֹת בַּשַּׁבָּ֡ת וּמְבִיאִ֡ים הָעֲרֵמ֡וֹת וְעֹמְסִ֡ים עַל הַחֲמֹרִ֡ים וְאַף יַ֣יִן עֲנָבִ֡ים וּתְאֵנִ֡ים וְכָל מַשָּׂ֡א וּמְבִיאִ֡ים יְרוּשָׁלִַ֡ם בְּי֣וֹם הַשַּׁבָּ֡ת וָאָעִ֡יד בְּי֣וֹם מִכְרָ֡ם צָֽיִד׃

KJVIn those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals.

In those days I saw in Judah people treading winepresses on the Sabbath, and bringing in heaps of grain and loading them on donkeys, and also wine, grapes, figs, and all kinds of loads, which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. And I warned them on the day when they sold food.

וְהַצֹּרִ֣ים יָשְׁב֣וּ בָ֡הּ מְבִיאִ֡ים דָּג֡וּ וְכָל מֶ֣כֶר וּמֹכְרִ֡ים בַּשַּׁבָּ֡ת לִבְנֵ֡י יְהוּדָ֡ה וּבִירוּשָׁלָֽיִם׃

KJVThere dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.

Tyrians also, who lived in the city, brought in fish and all kinds of goods and sold them on the Sabbath to the people of Judah, in Jerusalem itself!

וָאָרִ֙יבָה֙ אֵ֣ת חֹרֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֔ה וָאֹמְרָ֣ה לָהֶ֔ם מָ֥ה הַדָּבָ֖ר הָרָ֣ע הַזֶּ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר אַ֣תֶּם עֹשִׂ֗ים וּמְחַלְּלִ֖ים אֶת י֥וֹם הַשַּׁבָּֽת׃

KJVThen I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day?

Then I confronted the nobles of Judah and said to them: What is this evil thing that you are doing, profaning the Sabbath day?

הֲל֣וֹא כֹ֣ה עָשׂ֡וּ אֲבֹתֵיכֶ֡ם וַיָּבֵ֡א אֱלֹהֵ֡ינוּ עָלֵ֡ינוּ אֵ֣ת כָּל הָרָעָ֡ה הַזֹּ֡את וְעַ֣ל הָעִ֡יר הַזֹּ֡את וְאַ֣תֶּם מוֹסִ֡יפִים חָרוֹן֩ עַ֥ל יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לְחַלֵּ֥ל אֶת הַשַּׁבָּֽת׃

KJVDid not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath.

Did not your fathers act in this way, and did not our God bring all this disaster on us and on this city? Now you are bringing more wrath on Israel by profaning the Sabbath.

וַיְהִ֣י כַּאֲשֶׁ֡ר צָלֲל֡וּ שַׁעֲרֵ֡י יְרוּשָׁלִַ֡ם לִפְנֵ֣י הַשַּׁבָּ֡ת וָאֹמְרָ֡ה וַיִּסָּגְרוּ֩ הַדְּלָת֨וֹת וָאֹמְרָ֜ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹ֣א יִפְתְּח֡וּם עַ֣ד אַחַ֡ר הַשַּׁבָּ֑ת וּמִנְּעָרַ֞י הֶעֱמַ֤דְתִּי עַל הַשְּׁעָרִים֙ לֹ֣א יָב֣וֹא מַשָּׂ֔א בְּי֖וֹם הַשַּׁבָּֽת׃

KJVAnd it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day.

As soon as it began to grow dark at the gates of Jerusalem before the Sabbath, I commanded that the doors should be shut and gave orders that they should not be opened until after the Sabbath. And I stationed some of my servants at the gates, that no load might be brought in on the Sabbath day.

וַיָּלִ֧ינוּ הָרֹכְלִ֛ים וּמֹכְרֵ֥י כָל מִמְכָּ֖ר מִח֣וּץ לִירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם פַּ֥עַם וּשְׁתָּֽיִם׃

KJVSo the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice.

Then the merchants and sellers of all kinds of wares lodged outside Jerusalem once or twice.

וָאָעִ֣ידָה בָהֶ֡ם וָאֹמְרָ֡ה אֲלֵיהֶ֡ם מַדּ֣וּעַ אַ֡תֶּם לֵנִ֡ים נֶ֣גֶד הַחוֹמָ֡ה אִם תִּשְׁנ֡וּ יָ֡ד אֶשְׁלַ֡ח בָּכֶ֡ם מֵ֣אָז לֹ֡א בָ֡אוּ בַּשַּׁבָּֽת׃

KJVThen I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath.

Then I warned them and said to them: Why do you lodge outside the wall? If you do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time on they did not come on the Sabbath.

וָאֹמְרָ֣ה לַלְוִיִּ֡ם אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִהְי֡וּ מִטַּהֲרִ֡ים וּבָאִ֡ים שֹׁמְרִ֡ים הַשְּׁעָרִ֡ים לְקַדֵּ֡שׁ אֶת י֡וֹם הַשַּׁבָּ֡ת גַּ֥ם זֹ֛את זָכְרָ֥ה לִּ֖י אֱלֹהַ֑י וְחוּ֕סָה עָלַ֖י כְּרֹ֥ב חַסְדֶּֽךָ׃

KJVAnd I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.

And I commanded the Levites that they should purify themselves and come and guard the gates, to keep the Sabbath day holy. Remember this also in my favor, O my God, and spare me according to the greatness of your steadfast love.

גַּ֣ם בַּיָּמִ֡ים הָהֵ֡מָּה רָאִ֡יתִי אֶת הַיְּהוּדִ֡ים הֹשִׁ֡יבוּ נָשִׁ֣ים אַשְׁדֳּדִיּ֡וֹת עַמֳּנִיּ֡וֹת מֹאֲבִיּֽוֹת׃

KJVIn those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab:

In those days also I saw the Jews who had married women of Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab.

וּבְנֵיהֶ֗ם חֲצִ֛י מְדַבֵּ֥ר אַשְׁדּוֹדִ֖ית וְאֵינָ֣ם מַכִּירִ֣ים לְדַבֵּ֣ר יְהוּדִ֑ית וְכִלְשׁ֖וֹן עַ֥ם וָעָֽם׃

KJVAnd their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews' language, but according to the language of each people.

And half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod, and they could not speak the language of Judah, but only the language of each people.

וָאָרִ֣יב עִמָּ֡ם וָֽאֲקַלְלֵ֡ם וָאַכֶּ֣ה מֵהֶ֡ם אֲנָשִׁ֡ים וָֽאֶמְרְטֵ֡ם וָֽאַשְׁבִּ֡יעֵם בֵּֽאלֹהִ֡ים אִם תִּתְּנ֡וּ בְנֹתֵיכֶ֡ם לִבְנֵיהֶ֡ם וְאִם תִּשְׂאוּ֩ מִבְּנֹתֵיהֶ֨ם לִבְנֵיכֶ֜ם וְלָכֶ֖ם׃

KJVAnd I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.

And I confronted them and cursed them and beat some of them and pulled out their hair. And I made them take oath in the name of God, saying: You shall not give your daughters to their sons, or take their daughters for your sons or for yourselves.

הֲל֣וֹא עַל אֵ֡לֶּה חָטָ֡א שְׁלֹמֹ֡ה מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֡ל וּבֵ֣ין גּוֹיִ֡ם רַבִּ֡ים לֹ֣א הָיָ֡ה מֶ֣לֶךְ כָּמ֡וֹהוּ וְאָה֡וּב אֱלֹהָ֡יו הָיָ֑ה וַיִּתְּנֵ֤הוּ אֱלֹהִים֙ לְמֶ֣לֶךְ עַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל גַּם אוֹת֕וֹ הֶחֱטִ֖יאוּ הַנָּשִׁ֥ים הַנָּכְרִיּֽוֹת׃

KJVDid not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin.

Did not Solomon king of Israel sin on account of such women? Among the many nations there was no king like him, and he was beloved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel. Nevertheless, foreign women made even him to sin.

וְלָכֶ֛ם הֲנִשְׁמַ֥ע לַעֲשֹׂ֖ת אֵ֣ת כָּל הָרָעָ֑ה הַגְּדוֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את לִמְעֹ֣ל בֵּֽאלֹהֵ֔ינוּ לְהֹשִׁ֖יב נָשִׁ֥ים נָכְרִיּֽוֹת׃

KJVShall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives?

Shall we then listen to you and do all this great evil and act treacherously against our God by marrying foreign women?

וּמִבְּנֵ֣י יֹויָדָ֡ע בֶּן אֶלְיָשִׁ֡יב הַכֹּהֵ֡ן הַגָּד֑וֹל חָת֕וֹן לְסַנְבַלַּ֖ט הַחֹרֹנִ֑י וָֽאַבְרִיחֵ֖הוּ מֵעָלָֽי׃

KJVAnd one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was son in law to Sanballat the Horonite: therefore I chased him from me.

And one of the sons of Jehoiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was the son-in-law of Sanballat the Horonite. Therefore I chased him from me.

זָכְרָ֥ה לָהֶ֖ם אֱלֹהָ֑י עַ֚ל גָּאֳלֵ֣י הַכְּהֻנָּ֔ה וּבְרִ֥ית הַכְּהֻנָּ֖ה וְהַלְוִיִּֽם׃

KJVRemember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites.

Remember them, O my God, because they have desecrated the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites.

וְטִהַרְתִּ֖ים מִכָּל נֵכָ֑ר וָאַעֲמִ֡ידָה מִשְׁמָרוֹ֡ת לַכֹּהֲנִ֡ים וְלַלְוִיִּ֡ם אִ֣ישׁ בִּמְלַאכְתּֽוֹ׃

KJVThus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business;

Thus I cleansed them from everything foreign, and I established the duties of the priests and Levites, each in his work;

וּלְקֻרְבַּ֣ן הָ֠עֵצִ֠ים בְּעִתִּ֥ים מְזֻמָּנ֖וֹת וְלַבִּכּוּרִ֑ים זָכְרָ֥ה לִּ֖י אֱלֹהַ֥י לְטוֹבָֽה׃

KJVAnd for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.

and I provided for the wood offering at appointed times, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.