Nehemiah 13:11

11 Then I contended with the rulers and said, "Why is the house of God forsaken?" And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.

Nehemiah 13:11 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 13:11

Then I contended with the rulers;
&c.] The ecclesiastical rulers, the priests that were appointed over those chambers, ( Nehemiah 12:44 ) , he expostulated with them warmly, and chode them severely for their conduct:

and said, why is the house of God forsaken?
no care being taken of the maintenance of the ministers of it, contrary to the promise made ( Nehemiah 10:37 ) ,

and l gathered them together;
the Levites and singers that were dispersed in the countries round about:

and set them in their place;
in the temple, and in the course of their ministry there.

Nehemiah 13:11 In-Context

9 Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers; and thither I brought back the vessels of the house of God, with the meat offering and the frankincense.

10 And I perceived that the portions for the Levites had not been given them; for the Levites and the singers who did the work had fled every one to his field.

11 Then I contended with the rulers and said, "Why is the house of God forsaken?" And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.

12 Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the storehouses.

13 And I made treasurers over the storehouses: 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.