Nehemiah 13:4 Meaning and Explanation
“And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Eliashib the priest, who oversaw a temple storeroom, had formed an alliance with Tobiah.
What Does Nehemiah 13:4 Mean?
The narrative steps back in time to expose a corruption inside the temple itself. Eliashib, a priest entrusted with the storerooms, had bound himself to Tobiah, the same official who had long opposed Nehemiah's work of rebuilding.
It is a sobering picture: compromise had reached the very house of God, brought in by one charged with guarding it. Trusted position is no guarantee of a faithful heart. The account warns every servant of God that nearness to holy things must be matched by holiness within, a purity supplied at last only by Christ.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nehemiah 13:4
What does Nehemiah 13:4 mean?
Eliashib the priest, who oversaw a temple storeroom, had formed an alliance with Tobiah.