Nehemiah 10:34

“And we cast the lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people, etc.] The priests and Levites were in one lot, and the people in another, as Aben Ezra: for the wood offering; for providing wood to burn upon the altar continually, concerning which Maimonides f65 thus writes: “what is the wood offering? there was a time fixed for families to go out unto the forests, and bring in wood of disposition (to be laid in order on the altar); and the day when it came to the turn of a family to bring the wood, they offered up freewill burnt offerings, which were called a wood offering; and it was to them as a good day (or festival), and they were forbid to mourn, fast, or do any work on it;” and he…”

“we cast the lots . . . for the wood offering--The carrying of the wood had formerly been the work of the Nethinims. But few of them having returned, the duty was assigned as stated in the text. The practice afterwards rose into great importance, and JOSEPHUS speaks [The Wars of the Jews, 2.17, sect. 6] of the Xylophoria, or certain stated and solemn times at which the people brought up wood to the temple.”

“No special provision was made by the Law, by David, or by Solomon, for the supply of wood necessary to keep fire ever burning upon the altar. Nehemiah established a system by which the duty of supplying the wood was laid as a burden in turn on the various clans or families, which were regarded as constituting the nation. The lot was used to determine the order in which the several families should perform the duty. A special day (the 14th of the fifth month, according to Josephus) was appointed for the bringing in of the supply; and this day was after a time regarded as a high festival, and called “the feast of the wood-offering.” return to 'Top of Page' Footnotes: Copyright Statement These…”

“10:34 Because the fire on the altar burned continually (Lev 6:12), a good deal of wood was used. The Gibeonites provided it at an earlier time (Josh 9:27), but now it was a joint responsibility.”

“cast: Ch1 24:5, Ch1 24:7, Ch1 25:8, Ch1 25:9; Pro 18:18 the wood offering: It was the business of the Nethinim to procure the wood for the fires of the temple, but it is probable few of them returned to their former masters after the captivity; and therefore they found it necessary to cast lots among the priests, Levites, and people, who should furnish the wood at appointed times. This bringing of the wood to the temple at last became a great day; and was constituted into a feast, called by Josephus, ξυλοφορια, "the carrying of the wood" (Bell. 1. ii. c. 17. sec.6). Neh 13:31; Lev 6:12; Jos 9:27; Isa 40:16 at times: Heb 10:3-7 as it is written: Lev 6:12, Lev 6:13 Nehemiah 10:35”