Nehemiah 13: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Nehemiah 13 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

On that day, the people read from the book of Moses and learned that Ammonites and Moabites should not enter the assembly of God (vv. 1-2). After hearing the law, they separated the mixed multitude from Israel (v.

Key verse

“I commanded the Levites that they should purify themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the Sabbath day. Remember to me, my God, this also, and spare me according to the greatness of your loving kindness.”
Nehemiah 13:22 (WEB)

Outline

Nehemiah 13:1–3 Reading the Law and Separation
Nehemiah 13:4–9 Eliashib's Compromise
Nehemiah 13:10–14 Restoration of Levite Provisions
Nehemiah 13:15–22 Sabbath Violations Addressed
Nehemiah 13:23–29 Intermarriage Concerns
Nehemiah 13:30–31 Final Cleansing and Remembrance

Discussion questions

In v4, who is allied to Tobiah and what role does he hold?
What does Nehemiah do with Tobiah’s belongings in v8?
Nehemiah's actions in v17: why does he call the nobles' actions 'evil'?
The mention of Solomon in v26: what parallel is Nehemiah making with foreign marriages?
When have you been compelled to confront a situation that seems unjust, like Nehemiah did in v11?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Nehemiah 13: Malachi 3, Nehemiah 10, Nehemiah 12.

Before next time: read Esther 1.