Tej Bains_ Close-Reading Analysis
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M10
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Religion
Date
Apr 3, 2024
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9
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1.
After reading through your chosen text, what stands out to you in the passage? Does
anything seem weird or difficult? Is there anything else you would like to note?
Through reading Nehemiah 13, the main topic was Nehemiah’s dedication to upholding God’s
commandments and his strict adherence to the Laws of Moses. Nehemiah’s threatening use of
physical violence and strong language to enforce the Laws and people’s adherence to it stood out
to me the most. For example, Nehemiah 13.25 states the following:
I censured them, cursed them, flogged them, tore out their hair, and adjourned them by God,
saying, "You shall not give your daughters in marriage to their sons, or take any of their
daughters for your sons or yourselves.”
Evidently, Nehemiah’s employment of physical and violent measures to enforce the behavior of
those in violation of the Law of Moses stuck out to me the most due to his strict and violent
actions he would take to maintain the purity of the Jewish community and their relation to God.
2.
Provide a “table of contents” for your passage: organize the passage into sections
explaining how/why you decided to organize the sections this way.
The following is my table of contents for Nehemiah 13, organized into sections based on my
views of the major themes and events:
a.
Upholding the Law: Enforcing the Separation (Nehemiah 13.1 - 3)
i.
This first section is the introduction in which the Laws of Moses are read to the
people reminding them of the forbiddance against Ammonites and Moabites,
serving as an introduction to the separation between Jews and foreigners.
b.
Purification: Removing Tobiah the Ammonite (Nehemiah 13.4 - 9)
i.
This section goes over the high priest’s alliance with Tobiah which leads
Nehemiah to expelling Tobiah and purifying the storeroom to remove foreign
influences from the temple.
c.
Restoration: Provisions for the Levites (Nehemiah 13.10 - 14)
i.
Nehemiah asks God to remember his efforts in confronting the officials at the
temple in ensuring the fair allocation of tithes and offerings
d.
The Sabbath: Enforcing its Adherence (Nehemiah 13.15 - 22)
i.
Nehemiah enforces actions such as closing the city gate in response to discovering
Sabbath violations
e.
Intermarriage: Upholding Purity (Nehemiah 12.23 - 29)
i.
Nehemiah’s response to intermarriage between Jews and foreigners
Each section highlights a different role Nehemiah played in preserving the adherence to the Laws
of Moses.
3.
Who are the main figures/people/groups in the text? Are there any places that are
mentioned? Do you find any other details about the setting of the passage?
The following are the main people/groups mentioned:
1.
Nehemiah
2.
Tobiah the Ammonite (A foreign individual who was occupying the storeroom in the
temple)
3.
Eliashib (High priest and a relative of Tobiah who let him stay in the storeroom)
4.
Levites and servants of the temple
5.
Israelite men who had married foreigners
The following are places mentioned:
1.
Jerusalem - Primary setting of the passage
2.
The temple
3.
City gates - Nehemiah ordered them to be shut on the Sabbath
4.
Are any words or phrases repeated in the passage? Is any theme, concept, or detail
of the text emphasized?
No noteworthy words or phrases were repeated apart from Levites and Gods. However, a
primary theme that was echoed throughout the passage was the importance of following the
Laws of Moses. To uphold the laws, Nehemiah implements actions to correct the various
violations such as marrying foreigners, misuse of the temple, and not following the Sabbath. In
accordance with this, separation from foreigners is another recurring concept reinstated
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throughout the passage. Nehemiah consistently insists on upholding the ‘purity’ of the Israleites
through banning intermarriage with foreigners. For example, in 13.9 the following is stated in
response to Nehemiah finding out that Tobiah the Ammonite was staying in the temple, “I gave
orders to purify the rooms.” Then, at 13.30 the following is stated, “I purged them of every
foreign element.” Evidently, the separation from foreigners is a major concept repeated
throughout the passage.
5.
How do these sections relate to one another? (e.g., is one section background
information or the justification for another section?). How do you know?
The various sections are connected with one another as they contribute to the overall theme of
the importance of the Laws of Moses. For example, the first section from 13.1-3 can be seen as
an intro in which the Laws of Moses are read, serving as a basis for the rest of this section. Then,
the next parts of the section all build on this introduction by showcasing Nehemiah’s actions
such as removing Tobiah and enforcing proper Sabbath. Hence, the entire section is
interconnected through each part addressing Nehemiah’s efforts in upholding the Laws of Moses.
6.
Does the author of the text cite any other text or tradition (either directly or
indirectly)? What does this citation do for the author? What does the author assume
about the world or community?
Within Nehemiah 13, the main point of reference are the Laws of Moses. Referencing these laws
essentially provide reasoning to Nehemiah’s actions as he cites them as the reason behind them.
He assumes that he and the rest of the Jewish community have to follow these Laws to maintain
their relationship with God.
Also at 13.26 he cites King Solomon as he states. “It was just in such things that King Solomon
of Israel sinned!” Hence, by citing King Solomon he essentially showcases the potential
consequences Jews can face if they do not follow the Laws of Moses and intermarry with
foreigners. Overall, these citations essentially provide reasoning and justification to his
arguments.
7.
What is the tone of the passage?
The general tone of the passage is assertive, reflecting Nehemiah’s strict adherence to the Laws
of Moses. Throughout the passage, Nehemiah confronts issues firmly depicting a sense of
seriousness and reflecting his devotion to ensure the Jewish community follows the Laws of
Moses. For example, at 13.22 the following reflects his assertive, almost aggressive, tone: If you
do so again, I will lay hands upon you! I gave orders to the Levites to purify themselves and
come and guard the gates, to preserve the sanctity of the sabbath.”
Though, at times the tone appears to lessen and show more humbleness as Mehemiah repeatedly
prays to God depicting his humility and actions in recognition of God.
8.
How does the author of the text talk about their community? What do they talk
about their community doing? What is important to this community, according to
the author?
The author of Nehemiah 13, Nehemiah himself, portrays his community as a community not
following the Laws of Moses and in need of correction. For example, he constantly talks about
how they violate the laws through actions such as intermarrying with foreigners, not following
Sabbath, and housing foreigners in the temple. In response, he states that adherence to the laws
of Moses and maintaining the sanctity of religious institutions are of utmost importance which is
why he takes some of the actions he does throughout the passage.
Hence, according to the author, the community needs guidance to restore their devotion to God
by following the Laws of Moses and upholding their distinct identity by not marrying foreigners.
9.
Does the author offer any reasoning/justification for your answers to question #8?
Are these justifications effective? What do these justifications assume?
The author does offer reasoning and justification for his arguments of the current issues within
the Jewish community. His justifications call upon the Laws of Moses and maintaining the
Jewish community’s relationship with God. For example, straight from the beginning the
following is stated from 13.1: “At that time they read to the people from the Book of Moses, and
it was found written that no Ammonite or Moabite might ever enter the congregation of God,
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since they did not meet Israel with bread and water, and hired Balaam against them to curse
them, but our God turned the curse into a blessing. Evidently, Nehemiah cites the Laws of Moses
for his argument of not intermarrying with foreigners. Hence, his arguments and justifications are
based on the Laws of Moses (historical precedent).
These justifications assume that the Laws of Moses are of the utmost importance to the Jewish
community and its relationship with God. Additionally, Nehemiah calls upon historical precedent
such as in the case of King Solomon. Hence, this reasoning also assumes that the Jewish
community’s prosperity depends on their faithfulness to God’s commandments.
10. How does the author of the passage distinguish their community, group, or person
from another? How do you know
Within Nehemiah 13, the author distinguishes the Jewish community from others by discussing
their distinct identity based on their relationship with God through adhering to the Laws of
Moses. This is shown throughout the passages in several places. For example, from the
beginning of the passage Nehemiah refers to the Laws of Moses when instructing his community
that they must separate themselves from the Ammonites and Moabites from 13.1-3.
Hence, throughout the passage, the author of Nehemiah 13 distinguishes the Jewish community
from other groups through referring to those not part of the community by different terms such as
“foreigners,” “Ammonites,” and “Moabites.” He draws the separation from other groups by
discussing his community’s distinct identity through their religious practices, adherence to the
Laws of Moses, and relation with God. Hence, the author creates a clear division between his
community and other “foreigners.”
Look over your responses to the above question and answer in 10 complete sentences to the
following prompt. Be sure to cite your chosen text to offer more specificity in your answer and to
justify your answer.
How do the author(s) of the passage imagine its community identity? What do they imagine
as necessary or inherent to their community identity?
The author of Nehemiah 13 imagines the Jewish community’s identity as one with a
distinct identity, intertwined with their commitment to the Laws of Moses, unique religious
practice, and covenant relationship with God. Throughout the passage, Nehemiah draws the
separation from other groups by discussing his community’s distinct identity through their
religious practices, adherence to the Laws of Moses, and covenant relationship with God. For
example, straight from the beginning, the text cites Nehemiah 13.1 which states: “At that time,
the Book of Moses, and it was found written that no Ammonite or Moabite might ever enter the
congregation of God, since they did not meet Israel with bread and water, and hired Balaam
against them to curse them, but our God turned the curse into a blessing.” Evidently, Nehemiah
cites the Laws of Moses to support his argument against intermarriage with foreigners
showcasing this as an essential aspect for the Jewish community’s distinct identity. Nehemiah’s
strong belief in adhering to the Laws of Moses is shown through his passive tone throughout the
passage which sometimes can turn violent as seen 13.25 when he states: “I censured them,
cursed them, flogged them, tore out their hair, and adjourned them by God, saying, You shall not
give your daughters in marriage to their sons, or take any of their daughters for your sons or
yourselves.” Additionally, Nehemiah views Sabbath as another necessary element for the
community’s identity as it sets their community apart from others not sharing the same beliefs or
practices depicted in Nehemiah 13.15-22 when Nehemiah starts enforcing actions such as
closing the city gates and threatening to “lay hands upon” those violating Sabbath.Lastly,
maintaining the holiness of religious institutions, such as the temple, is seen as another necessary
aspect in maintaining the community’s identity and relation with God as seen from Nehemiah
13.1-14 in which he expels Tobiah the Ammonite and purifies the storeroom to remove foreign
influences from the temple. Hence, the author depicts Nehemiah as decisive and authoritative
who addresses these issues by ensuring that his community follows the Laws of Moses and
maintains their covenant relationship with God. Conclusively, Nehemiah imagines his
community’s identity as unique, separated by their adherence to the Laws of Moses, religious
practices, and distinct relationship with God. Through highlighting the importance of
maintaining religious practices and institutions, separating themselves from foreign influences,
and following determined leadership, Nehemiah presents to readers a vision of a distinct
community rooted in their faithfulness and devotion to God.
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