Nehemiah 12:44

“And at that time were some appointed over the chamber for the treasuries, etc.] On the selfsame day the dedication was; while the people were in a good disposition, and a suitable frame for such service, certain persons from among the priests were appointed to be overseers of the chambers fixed upon for treasuries, to lay up safe in them the following things, and take care of them, that they were put to the use for which they were designed: for the offerings, for the first fruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites; what by the law of God were assigned them for their maintenance, and which the people had…”

“portions of the law--that is, "prescribed by the law." for Judah rejoiced for the priests and . . . Levites that waited--The cause of this general satisfaction was either the full restoration of the temple service and the reorganized provision for the permanent support of the ministry, or it was the pious character and eminent gifts of the guardians of religion.”

“Judah rejoiced - Judah’s satisfaction with the priests and Levites took the shape of increased offerings, more ample tithes, and the like, from where the appointment of treasuries and treasurers became necessary. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Rejoiced - For the eminent gifts and graces which they observed in many of them: for the great benefit which they had now received by their ministry: and for the competent provision which hereby was made for them, that so they might wholly wait upon their office. The sure way for ministers to gain an interest, in the affections of their people, is to wait on their ministry, to spend their whole time, and thought, and strength therein. Nehemiah 12:45”

“12:44-47 On that day, the day of the dedication of the wall (12:44; 13:1), men were appointed to take care of the tithes and gifts given for the physical needs of the priests and Levites. Their duties were to collect the gifts of the people for the priests and Levites (10:32-39; see also Exod 30:11-16; 38:25-26), to perform the service of their God (probably sacrifices; see Lev 1–5), and to oversee the service of purification of those people who were unclean. They also purified pans, knives, and clothing used in Temple worship as described in Lev 11–15 (see also 1 Chr 23:28).”

“some: Neh 10:37-39, Neh 13:5, Neh 13:12, Neh 13:13; Ch2 13:11, Ch2 13:12, Ch2 31:11-13 chambers: Ch1 9:26, Ch1 26:21-26 of the law: that is, appointed by the law Judah rejoiced: Heb. the joy of Judah. Levites. Num 3:10, Num 8:24, Num 8:25; Ch1 23:28; Ch2 5:11, Ch2 5:12; Pro 8:34; Isa 40:31; Rom 12:7 waited: Heb. stood Nehemiah 12:45”

“The joint efforts of Nehemiah and Ezra succeeded both in restoring the enactments of the law for the performance and maintenance of the public worship, and in carrying out the separation of the community from strangers, especially by the dissolution of unlawful marriages (Neh 12:44-13:3). When Nehemiah, however, returned to the king at Babylon, in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes, and remained there some time, the abuses which had been abolished were again allowed by the people. During Nehemiah's absence, Eliashib the priest prepared a chamber in the fore-court of the temple, as a dwelling for his son-in-law Tobiah the Ammonite. The delivery of their dues to the Levites (the first-fruits…”