Nehemiah 10:32

What does Nehemiah 10:32 mean?

A plain-English look at Nehemiah 10:32 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Nehemiah 10:32 means

They institute an ordinance to charge themselves yearly with the third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God. This voluntary imposition demonstrates seriousness about sustaining worship. The people do not wait for crises; they establish predictable support for the temple’s ongoing needs. By agreeing to a set annual contribution, they show that devotion is not sporadic but structured. Worship requires resources, and God’s people commit to provide them joyfully and responsibly.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Also we made ordinances for us, to charge ourselves yearly with the third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Also we made ordinances for us, to charge ourselves yearly with the third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Also we made ordinances for us, to charge ourselves yearly with the third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And we made rules for ourselves, taxing ourselves a third of a shekel every year for the upkeep of the house of our God;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And we have appointed for ourselves commands, to put on ourselves the third of a shekel in a year, for the service of the house of our God,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And we made ordinances for ourselves, to give the third part of a sicle every year for the work of the house of our God,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And we made ordinances for us, to charge ourselves yearly with the third part of a shekel for the service of the house of ourGod,

Context

After committing to Sabbath and sabbatical observance, the people now address the financial backbone of temple life. This verse introduces a yearly assessment, which the following verse explains will fund offerings and sacred observances. The flow moves from general obedience to specific mechanisms ensuring the temple can function as intended. The community is building systems that align with their vows, preventing neglect of worship.

v.31and if the peoples of the land bring wares or any grain on the sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy of them on the sabbath, or on a holy day; and that we would forego the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt.

v.32This passage

v.33for the showbread, and for the continual meal-offering, and for the continual burnt-offering, for the sabbaths, for the new moons, for the set feasts, and for the holy things, and for the sin-offerings to make atonement for Israel, and for all the work of the house of our God.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 17:24

    And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received the half-shekel came to Peter, and said, Doth not your teacher pay the half-shekel?

  • Genesis 28:22

    then this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.

  • 2 Corinthians 8:12

    For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according as a man hath, not according as he hath not.

  • Exodus 30:11

    And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,

  • Proverbs 3:9

    Honor Jehovah with thy substance, And with the first-fruits of all thine increase:

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