KJV ORIGINAL
Also we made ordinances for us, to charge ourselves yearly with the third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God;
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
We also made rules for ourselves to give one-third of a shekel each year to support the work of God's house.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
The people committed to giving a specific annual amount to support the temple and its worship services.
📚 Historical Context
This took place after the Jewish exiles returned from Babylon and rebuilt Jerusalem's walls under Nehemiah's leadership. The people were making a covenant to follow God's laws and support the temple worship that had been neglected during their exile. A shekel was a standard unit of weight for silver, so one-third of a shekel represented a meaningful but manageable annual contribution for supporting the priests, sacrifices, and temple maintenance.
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.
Share or Save