Nehemiah 10:37 · Bible study
Nehemiah 10:37 Commentary: Firstfruits and Tithes for Temple Support
Hebrew · 6 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Why did the post-exilic community pledge firstfruits and tithes? Detailed study of Nehemiah 10:37 with commentary, context, and applications.
Research Summary
- Meaning: The community pledged firstfruits to priests and tithes to Levites to sustain temple worship.
- Key words: firstfruits, tithes, dough, heave offerings, chambers, storehouse.
- Main debate: Whether verses 37-39 are a later insertion and how literally to apply tithe laws today.
- Theological theme: God’s provision for ministers and the community’s responsibility to give generously.
- Best use: A model for covenant commitment to support the work of ministry.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
Moreover, we will bring to the priests at the storerooms of the house of our God the firstfruits of our dough, of our grain offerings, of the fruit of all our trees, and of our new wine and oil. A tenth of our produce belongs to the Levites, so that they shall receive tithes in all the towns where we labor.
WEB World English Bible 2000
and that we should bring the first fruits of our dough, our wave offerings, the fruit of all kinds of trees, and the new wine and the oil, to the priests, to the rooms of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground to the Levites; for they, the Levites, take the tithes in all our farming villages.
KJV King James Version 1769
And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
and that we should bring the first-fruits of our dough, and our heave-offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, the new wine and the oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites; for they, the Levites, take the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
And the beginning of our dough, and our heave-offerings, and the fruit of every tree, of new wine, and of oil, we bring in to the priests, unto the chambers of the house of our God, and the tithe of our ground to the Levites; and they--the Levites--have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage;
Darby Darby Bible 1890
and that we should bring the first-fruits of our coarse meal and our heave-offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, new wine and oil, to the priests, into the chambers of the house of our God, and the tithes of our ground to the Levites, that they, the Levites, should take the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And that we would bring the firstfruits of our meats, and of our libations, and the fruit of every tree, of the vintage also and of oil to the priests, to the storehouse of our God, and the tithes of our ground to the Levites. The Levites also shall receive the tithes of our works out of all the cities.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Que traeríamos también las primicias de nuestras masas, y nuestras ofrendas, y del fruto de todo árbol, del vino y del aceite, á los sacerdotes, á las cámaras de la casa de nuestro Dios, y el diezmo de nuestra tierra á los Levitas; y que los Levitas recibirían las décimas de nuestras labores en todas las ciudades:
E que traríamos as primícias de nossas massas, e nossas ofertas alçadas, e do fruto de toda árvore, do suco de uva e do azeite, aos sacerdotes, às câmaras da casa de nosso Deus, e os dízimos de nossa terra aos levitas; e que os levitas receberiam os dízimos em todas as cidades onde trabalhamos.
d’ apporter aux sacrificateurs, dans les chambres de la maison de notre Dieu, les prémices de notre pâte et nos offrandes, des fruits de tous les arbres, du moût et de l’huile; et de livrer la dîme de notre sol aux Lévites qui doivent la prendre eux-mêmes dans toutes les villes situées sur les terres que nous cultivons.
Auch wollen wir bringen das Erste unsres Teiges und unsre Hebopfer und Früchte von allerlei Bäumen, Most und Öl den Priestern in die Kammern am Hause unsres Gottes und den Zehnten unsres Landes den Leviten, daß die Leviten den Zehnten haben in allen Städten unsres Ackerwerks.
En dat wij de eerstelingen onzes deegs, en onze hefofferen, en de vrucht aller bomen, most en olie, zouden brengen tot de priesteren, in de kameren van het huis onzes Gods, en de tienden onzes lands tot de Levieten; en dat dezelfde Levieten de tienden zouden hebben in alle steden onzer landbouwerij;
E c’impegnammo pure di portare ai sacerdoti nelle camere della casa del nostro Dio, le primizie della nostra pasta, le nostre offerte prelevate, le primizie de’ frutti di qualunque albero, del vino e dell’olio, di dare la decima delle rendite del nostro suolo ai Leviti, i quali debbon prendere essi stessi queste decime in tutti i luoghi da noi coltivati.
Nadto pierwociny ciast naszych, i podnoszonych ofiar naszych, i owoce wszelkiego drzewa, moszczu, i oliwy świeżej, aby przynosili kapłanom do gmachów domu Boga naszego, i dziesięcinę ziemi naszej Lewitom; a cić Lewitowie wybierać będą tę dziesięcinę we wszystkich miastach robót naszych.
И начатки из молотого хлеба нашего и приношений наших, и плодов со всякого дерева, вина и масла мы будем доставлять священникам в кладовые при доме Бога нашего и десятину с земли нашей левитам. Они, левиты, будут брать десятину во всех городах, где у нас земледелие.
並將 初熟 之麥子所磨的麵 和舉祭、各樣 樹 上初熟的果子、新酒 與油 奉 給祭司，收在我們 神 殿 的庫房裡，把我們地上 所產的十分之一 奉給利未人，因利未人 在我們一切 城邑 的土產 中當 取十分之一。
And that we would take the first of our rough meal, and our lifted offerings, and the fruit of every sort of tree, and wine and oil, to the priests, to the rooms of the house of our God; and the tenth of the produce of our land to the Levites; for they, the Levites, take a tenth in all the towns of our ploughed land.
Verse in Context
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree this verse records a central provision of the covenant renewal under Nehemiah. The community pledged to bring firstfruits of dough, fruit, wine and oil to the priests, and tithes of the land to the Levites, in obedience to the Mosaic law (Numbers 15:19-21; 18:12-13,21). The Cambridge Bible notes the construction shifts from the infinitive of verses 35-36 to a finite verb, which may indicate that verses 37-39 are a later insertion detailing the practice. Still, the meaning is clear: the people committed to support the temple ministers materially. Gill connects the offerings to specific laws: firstfruits of dough from Numbers 15:20, heave offerings from Numbers 18:8, fruit of trees from Leviticus 19:23. Keil and Delitzsch place this in the larger project of providing for temple worship and giving religion a firm footing. The firstfruits were for the priests; the tithes for the Levites, who collected them in the towns. This arrangement ensured the ministers could focus on their sacred duties.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: The community promised to bring firstfruits to priests and tithes to Levites for the support of temple worship.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Literal adherence to Mosaic tithe laws | Christians agree the Old Testament commands tithes and offerings for the support of temple and ministry. | Christians differ on whether the tithe (10%) is a required standard for church giving today; some see it as a continuing obligation, others as a voluntary principle. |
| The insertion theory for vv.37-39 | Many commentators note the shift in grammatical construction from the infinitive in vv.35-36 to the finite verb in v.37. | Some scholars argue these verses are a later scribal insertion to record developed practice; others maintain they are original to the covenant document. |
| Applicability of firstfruits and tithes for church support | The verse shows that ministers should be supported by the community's gifts. | Whether 'firstfruits' and 'tithes' translate directly to modern church giving or are culturally specific expressions of generosity. |
Historical & Cultural Context
After the Babylonian exile, a remnant returned to Jerusalem and rebuilt the temple under Zerubbabel, but the people's spiritual fervor waned. Under Nehemiah's leadership, the walls were rebuilt, and Ezra read the Law publicly, prompting confession and covenant renewal (Nehemiah 9-10). The community was poor, the temple tax was lowered to a third of a shekel (Nehemiah 10:32), but they bound themselves with an oath to follow God's commands, including neglected duties like tithes and offerings (Malachi 3:8-10).
This verse outlines the flow of support. Firstfruits of dough, fruit, wine and oil went to the priests, who ministered in the temple. The Cambridge Bible and Gill note that 'dough' echoes Numbers 15:20-21:
The tithes of the ground, the tenth of produce, went to the Levites, who assisted priests and collected tithes in the towns (Numbers 18:21). The Levites then gave a tenth of what they received to the priests (Nehemiah 10:38). These goods were stored in the temple chambers, known as storehouses, to supply the daily offerings, showbread, festivals, and the needs of ministers. This system revived the Mosaic order and ensured the temple worship could continue without interruption."Of the first of your dough, you shall give to Yahweh a wave offering throughout your generations."
— Numbers 15:21 (WEB)
The covenant was a community-wide commitment, signed by leaders and sealed with a curse for failure (Nehemiah 10:28-29). It expressed their determination to honor God with the first and best of their resources.
Textual Notes
The Cambridge Bible observes the change from the infinitive construction ('to bring') in verses 35-36 to the finite verb ('and that we should bring') in verse 37, suggesting these verses may be a later insertion detailing the practice. However, no ancient manuscript variants are cited by the consulted sources. The Hebrew text is stable across the tradition, and the Masoretic Text shows no significant variation at this point.
Reception History
This verse has been cited in Christian teaching on the duty to support church ministers. Early church fathers like John Chrysostom referenced Old Testament tithes as a pattern for the church. During the Reformation, both Catholic and Protestant writers appealed to such passages to argue for the proper use of church funds. In Jewish tradition, the passage is a key text for the obligations of firstfruits and tithes, especially as interpreted in the Mishnah. Contemporary discussions often frame it as a model of cheerful, systematic giving that sustains corporate worship.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Worship requires tangible support. The covenant did not just promise prayers; it specified firstfruits and tithes to keep the temple operating.
- God’s ministers depend on the community’s generosity. Priests and Levites received what the people brought, no land inheritance, but a share in the offerings.
- Covenant commitment revives neglected practices. After years of neglect, the community formalized their promise to give systematically.
Five-point outline
- Context: Spiritual renewal after exile under Nehemiah and Ezra.
- The provisions: Firstfruits of dough, fruit, wine, oil; tithes of the land.
- The recipients: Priests (for firstfruits) and Levites (for tithes).
- The motivation: Obedience to God’s law and sustaining the worship of Yahweh.
- The result: “We will not forsake the house of our God” (Nehemiah 10:39).
Illustration hooks
- A church that, after a season of decline, banded together to fully fund their pastor’s salary and ministry needs.
- A farmer who sets aside the first bin of harvest each year as an act of trust that God will provide the rest.
- A small-group that commits to a monthly offering for a specific ministry, giving before any other expenses.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Do we see our giving as part of our covenant with God, or just a budget item?
- How can we ensure our church’s ministers are supported well enough to focus on their calling?
- What would it look like to give the “first” of our income rather than what is left over?
Leading a Discussion
This verse shows the post-exilic community’s detailed commitment to support temple worship. As you read it, note what they pledged to give and to whom. Consider the covenant context: they were returning to practices they had neglected. How does this challenge or encourage you today?
Discussion questions
- What items are listed for the priests? What items for the Levites? Why the distinction?
- Look up Numbers 15:21 and 18:21. How do these commands shape the community’s promise?
- Why did the community need to sign a covenant to restore these practices? What does that say about human nature?
- In what ways do we support our church’s worship and ministers today? Are there practices we have neglected?
- What does giving the “first” of our resources say about our priorities and trust in God?
- How can we renew our commitment to generosity when it has lagged, either personally or as a congregation?
- What might “not forsaking the house of God” look like in your current season of life?
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Leviticus 23:17 | You shall bring out of your habitations two loaves of bread for a wave offering made of two tenths of an ephah of fine flour. They shall be baked with yeast, for first fruits to Yahweh. |
| Leviticus 27:30 | “‘All the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is Yahweh’s. It is holy to Yahweh. |
| Leviticus 27:33 | He shall not examine whether it is good or bad, neither shall he exchange it. If he exchanges it at all, then both it and that for which it is exchanged shall be holy. It shall not be redeemed.’” |
| Numbers 15:19 | then it shall be that when you eat of the bread of the land, you shall offer up a wave offering to Yahweh. |
| Numbers 15:21 | Of the first of your dough, you shall give to Yahweh a wave offering throughout your generations. |
| Numbers 18:12 | “I have given to you all the best of the oil, all the best of the vintage, and of the grain, the first fruits of them which they give to Yahweh. |
| Numbers 18:13 | The first-ripe fruits of all that is in their land, which they bring to Yahweh, shall be yours. Everyone who is clean in your house shall eat of it. |
| Numbers 18:21 | “To the children of Levi, behold, I have given all the tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service which they serve, even the service of the Tent of Meeting. |
Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
5 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentary notes that a change in grammatical construction suggests verses like this one were later insertions to record Jewish practices in detail. It distinguishes between firstfruits given to priests and tithes given to Levites, and observes that the Hebrew word for tithe here means collecting it rather than paying it, a usage found in later Hebrew.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva note draws a precise distinction: offerings and firstfruits were brought to the priests in the temple chambers, while tithes were given to the Levites in the cities where the people lived. This kept the support of each group separate and orderly.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill catalogs specific offerings from Mosaic law, including firstfruits of dough, fruit from fourth-year trees, and wine and oil, all brought to the priests' chambers in the temple. He also notes that tithes of the land's produce went to the Levites in every village city.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil and Delitzsch see this covenant as a practical revival of Mosaic law adapted to the community's poverty. They stress that the temple tax was deliberately reduced from a half shekel to a third, and that the wood offering was regulated by casting lots among families to ensure a steady supply for the altar.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry highlights the people's voluntary yet binding commitment to fund every detail of temple worship—from the daily offerings to the wood supply. He sees their systematic, year-by-year provisions as a deliberate pledge not to neglect God's house, covering all sacred rites with practical, communal support.