Nehemiah 13:13 · Bible study
Nehemiah 13:13 Commentary: Counted Faithful
Hebrew · 8 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Study Nehemiah 13:13: what it means to be ‘counted faithful’ in temple stewardship, and how Nehemiah’s selection of leaders models godly administration.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Nehemiah appoints verified faithful stewards to ensure fair distribution of tithes to temple workers.
- Key words: “Faithful” (ne’emanim), reliable, trustworthy; “counted” (nechshabu), accounted or esteemed by others; “distribute” (lachalok), to divide fairly among the Levitical families.
- Main debate: Minimal. The primary interest is whether the individuals named can be identified with others in Ezra-Nehemiah (e.g., Zadok the scribe with the Zadok of Neh 3:29).
- Theological theme: God’s provision requires faithful human stewardship; integrity in administration is a form of worship.
- Best use: A model for selecting leaders in any community, prioritize character proven by reputation over charisma or connections.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
I appointed as treasurers over the storerooms Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and Pedaiah of the Levites, with Hanan son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah, to assist them, because they were considered trustworthy. They were responsible for distributing the supplies to their fellow Levites.
WEB World English Bible 2000
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 business was to distribute to their brothers.
KJV King James Version 1769
And 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.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And 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 business was to distribute unto their brethren.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
And I appoint treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and Pedaiah of the Levites; and by their hand is Hanan son of Zaccur, son of Mattaniah, for stedfast they have been reckoned, and on them it is to give a portion to their brethren.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And I made storekeepers over the storehouses: Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah; and subordinate to them, Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah; for they were esteemed faithful, and their office was to distribute to their brethren.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And we set over the storehouses Selemias the priest, and Sadoc the scribe, and of the Levites Phadaia, and next to them Hanan the son of Zachur, the son of Mathania: for they were approved as faithful, and to them were committed the portions of their brethren.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y puse por sobrestantes de ellos á Selemías sacerdote, y á Sadoc escriba, y de los Levitas, á Pedaías; y á mano de ellos Hanán hijo de Zaccur, hijo de Mathanías: pues que eran tenidos por fieles, y de ellos era el repartir á sus hermanos.
E pus por tesoureiros sobre os depósitos ao sacerdote Selemias e ao escriba Zadoque, e dos Levitas, a Pedaías; e próximo a eles Hanã filho de Zacur, filho de Matanias; pois eram considerados fiéis, e assim foram encarregados de distribuírem a seus irmãos.
Je confiai la surveillance des magasins à Schélémia, le sacrificateur, à Tsadok, le scribe, et à Pedaja, l’ un des Lévites, et je leur adjoignis Hanan, fils de Zaccur, fils de Matthania, car ils avaient la réputation d’ être fidèles. Ils furent chargés de faire les distributions à leurs frères.
Und ich setzte über die Vorräte Selemja, den Priester, und Zadok, den Schriftgelehrten, und aus den Leviten Pedaja und ihnen zur Hand Hanan, den Sohn Sakkurs, des Sohnes Matthanjas; denn sie wurden für treu gehalten, und ihnen ward befohlen, ihren Brüdern auszuteilen.
En ik stelde tot schatmeesters over de schatten, Selemja, den priester, en Zadok, den schrijver, en Pedaja, uit de Levieten; en aan hun hand Hanan, den zoon van Zakkur, den zoon van Matthanja; want zij werden getrouw geacht, en hun werd opgelegd aan hun broederen uit te delen.
e affidai la sorveglianza dei magazzini al sacerdote Scelemia, allo scriba Tsadok, e a Pedaia uno dei Leviti; ai quali aggiunsi Hanan, figliuolo di Zaccur, figliuolo di Mattania, perché erano reputati uomini fedeli. Il loro ufficio era di fare le repartizioni tra i loro fratelli.
I postanowiłem podskarbich nad skarbmi: Selemijasza kapłana, i Sadoka nauczonego w Piśmie, i Fadajasza z Lewitów, a przy nich Hanana, syna Zachurowego, syna Matanijaszowego, bo ich za wiernych miano; a ich powinność była, działy rozdawać braciom swym.
И приставил я к кладовым Шелемию священника и Садока книжника и Федаию из левитов, и при них Ханана, сына Закхура, сына Матфании, потому что они считались верными. И на них возложено раздавать части братьям своим.
我派祭司 示利米雅、文士 撒督，和 利未人 毘大雅 作庫官 管理 庫房；副官 是哈難。哈難是撒刻 的兒子；撒刻是瑪他尼 的兒子。 這些人都是 忠信的，他們的職分 是將所供給的分 給他們的弟兄。
And I made controllers over the store-houses, Shelemiah the priest and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and with them was Hanan, the son of Zaccur the son of Mattaniah: they were taken to be true men and their business was the distribution of these things to their brothers.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Nehemiah 13:13
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that Nehemiah is installing new treasurers because the previous trustees had proved unfaithful. The Hebrew verb translated “I made treasurers” (va’otzrah) is a Hiphil (causative) denominative from otzar (“treasury”), Nehemiah personally placed these men in authority. The four appointees represent the main temple ministries: Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe (himself of priestly descent, per the Cambridge Bible), Pedaiah from the Levites, and as an assistant Hanan, a descendant of the Asaphite singers. The phrase “counted faithful” renders the Niphal verbs ne’emanim and nechshabu, “they were accounted reliable.” Wesley, Gill and Clarke all note that this reputation came from the common knowledge of those who knew them, and that Nehemiah sought such men especially after his bitter experience with the former trustees. Their office was “to distribute to their brothers”, to ensure fair apportionment of tithes and offerings to the Levitical families.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: Nehemiah appointed individuals with a proven track record of integrity to manage the temple stores and ensure fair distribution to their fellow workers.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning of 'counted faithful' | All commentators agree the phrase indicates public reputation for integrity, not self-assessment. | None, the interpretation is uniform across traditions. |
| Identification of individuals | Commentators agree that the names represent real people from the post-exilic period, likely linked to earlier lists in Nehemiah. | Some (Cambridge Bible, Keil & Delitzsch) are cautious about connecting them to specific figures in Nehemiah 3; others assume connections (e.g., Shelemiah = Neh 3:30). |
| Role of the scribe | Zadok is a scribe, a role gaining importance in the post-exilic period, distinct from the priestly office. | Whether Zadok succeeded Ezra in the scribal office is an open question (Cambridge notes it is interesting but unanswerable). |
Historical & Cultural Context
Nehemiah 13:13 sits within a larger reform narrative. Earlier in the chapter, Nehemiah returns from a long absence before the Persian court (Neh 13:6) and finds the temple storerooms polluted by Tobiah the Ammonite, the Levites’ portions withheld, and the Sabbath profaned. Verse 10 reports that the Levites and singers had “each fled to his field” because their daily food rations stopped. The temple system depended on tithes of grain, wine and oil (Neh 13:12) to support the ministers who served there.
When Nehemiah confronted the rulers, they restored the tithe. But the problem also required trustworthy administrators. The treasuries (Hebrew otzarot) were store-rooms in the temple complex where the contributions were kept. Nehemiah replaced the unfaithful supervisors with a balanced team: a priest (Shelemiah) to oversee matters of the altar and inner courts, a scribe (Zadok) to keep records, a Levite (Pedaiah) to represent the temple workers, and Hanan as an assistant. The phrase “next to them” (al yadam, literally “at their hand”) indicates subordination, so Hanan was a deputy. This careful selection shows Nehemiah’s resolve to prevent future abuses by putting proven individuals in charge of the community’s sacred resources.
Textual Notes
The supplied commentaries note no significant textual variants for Nehemiah 13:13. The LXX combines the two clauses (“because they were accounted faithful to distribute to their brothers”), but the Hebrew Masoretic text is clear and consistent across the manuscripts used by the translators. The verb va’otzrah (I made treasurers) is a Hiphil denominative that appears only here and in Nehemiah 10:39; the form is well-attested.
Reception History
This verse has been most often read as a practical model for church administration. Protestant commentators of the Reformation era (Geneva Notes, Matthew Henry) emphasized the need for faithful officers in the temple as a lesson for church leaders. Wesley and Clarke applied it to the selection of stewards in Methodist societies. In the Eastern tradition, the verse is referenced in discussions of the proper handling of church funds, linking it to the Old Testament pattern of tithe distribution. Catholics have seen in it a precedent for the careful appointment of sacristans and treasurers for sacred vessels. Modern scholarship generally focuses on the verse’s social-historical context, how the restoration of temple revenue required transparent oversight to prevent the collapse of Levitical ministry.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Diagnosis: The system broke down when untrustworthy stewards misused the temple stores (Neh 13:10). Nehemiah first identified the root, not just lack of funds, but lack of faithful managers.
- Selection: He appointed individuals from different orders (priest, scribe, Levite, singer). The key qualification was that they were “counted faithful”, verified by reputation, not merely claimed.
- Mission: They were to “distribute to their brothers”, fair, impartial distribution as an act of worship and justice.
Five-point outline
- The crisis: Levites abandoned the temple because their portions were withheld (v.10).
- The confrontation: Nehemiah rebuked the rulers and restored the tithe (vv.11, 12).
- The new administration: Four treasurers appointed, each representing a different temple group.
- The qualification: “They were counted faithful”, their track record of integrity was public knowledge.
- The purpose: Distribution, not hoarding or favoritism, but equitable provision for all the ministers.
Illustration hooks
- Church finance committee. When a congregation entrusts its offerings to a treasurer, they look for someone whose integrity is already well-known, not a stranger or a new member, but someone whose faithfulness has been observed over time.
- Sports team captain. A coach selects a captain not just for skill but for reliability in practice; teammates trust that captain to distribute playing time fairly and encourage everyone.
Questions your congregation is asking
- How do I know whom to trust with significant responsibilities in the church?
- What does it look like to be “counted faithful” in daily, unglamorous tasks like managing the offering or serving meals?
- Why did Nehemiah include people from different groups (priests, scribes, Levites) instead of just one person?
Leading a Discussion
This verse shows that faithful stewardship is built on character verified by others, not on self-promotion. Nehemiah appointed people whose reputation for reliability was already established. As you study, think about the kinds of trust that sustain a healthy community.
Discussion questions
- What crisis in the temple prompted Nehemiah to appoint new treasurers? (Look at Nehemiah 13:10, 12.)
- Which four individuals were appointed, and what groups did they represent? Why do you think Nehemiah chose a mix of priests, scribes, and Levites?
- The phrase “counted faithful” uses two Hebrew verbs: ne’emanim (to be faithful) and nechshabu (to be thought or accounted). What does this combination tell you about how trustworthiness is established?
- How does the role of “distributing to their brothers” differ from simply guarding the storehouse? What does that say about the purpose of church finances?
- Nehemiah had just experienced the failure of earlier trustees (v.10 suggests someone misused the storerooms). How did that experience shape his approach to selecting new leaders?
- In your own context, what does it look like to be “counted faithful”, not just in money matters, but in serving the community?
- How can your small group encourage accountability and transparent stewardship in your local church?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| II Kings 12:15 | Moreover they didn’t demand an accounting from the men into whose hand they delivered the money to give to those who did the work; for they dealt faithfully. |
| II Kings 22:7 | However, no accounting shall be asked of them for the money delivered into their hand, for they deal faithfully.” |
| II Chronicles 31:12 | They brought in the offerings, the tithes, and the dedicated things faithfully. Conaniah the Levite was ruler over them, and Shimei his brother was second. |
| II Chronicles 31:15 | Under him were Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests, in their office of trust, to give to their brothers by divisions, to the great as well as to the small; |
| Nehemiah 3:30 | After him, Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun, the sixth son of Zalaph, repaired another portion. After him, Meshullam the son of Berechiah made repairs across from his room. |
| Nehemiah 7:2 | I put my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the governor of the fortress, in charge of Jerusalem; for he was a faithful man and feared God above many. |
| Nehemiah 8:4 | Ezra the scribe stood on a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam. |
| Nehemiah 10:12 | Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah, |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). 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
7 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke highlights that these individuals were reported to him as trustworthy, having remained steady in God's work while others grew careless. For him, the phrase emphasizes their proven reputation rather than merely their inner faithfulness.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge commentary suggests that the four treasurers likely represent different branches of temple personnel: Shelemiah and Zadok as priests (with Zadok possibly a scribe of increasing importance), Pedaiah as a Levite, and Hanan as a singer or porter. This distribution ensured fair allocation of duties and resources among their respective groups.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva note stresses that the men appointed to manage the temple treasures were chosen for their proven faithfulness. Their office was not merely administrative but a ministry of distribution to their fellow Levites, showing that trustworthiness is the essential qualification for handling what belongs to God's house.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill notes that Nehemiah appointed new treasurers because the previous ones had either died or proved unfaithful. The replacements were chosen for their known reliability: Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and two Levites. Their job was to distribute the tithes and first fruits fairly to their fellow Levites.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch shows that when tithes and firstfruits stopped arriving, the Levites had no choice but to abandon temple service and farm for food. Nehemiah confronted the rulers for letting God's house be forsaken through this neglect, then restored the Levites to their posts and appointed trustworthy men to oversee distributions.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry sees a two-sided lesson here: the Levites' non-residence may have caused the people to withhold their support, yet their flight to the fields also alerted Nehemiah that their rightful dues had been denied. He suggests ministers should examine whether their own neglect invites the contempt they receive.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley defines "faithful" here as people whose trustworthiness is confirmed by the common consent of those who know them. He notes that the search for such people becomes more urgent when someone has personally experienced the betrayal of former trustees.