Definition: And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah, gave the portions of the singers and the porters, every day his portion: and they sanctified [holy things] unto the Levites; and the Levites sanctified [them] unto the children of Aaron.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Nehemiah 12:47. It’s a really important passage about how God’s people were to care for their religious workers and ensure they kept things holy. Here's a simple explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a system where the people of Israel, under the leadership of Nehemiah, made sure that those who served in religious roles – like singers and porters – received regular payments and were also given access to sacred spaces and items. It emphasizes that these workers weren’t just doing their jobs; they were dedicated to honoring God. Let's break it down piece by piece: “And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah…” This tells us this happened during a specific period – likely around the time of the Second Temple period (around 430-410 BC). It’s important to remember that Nehemiah was leading the rebuilding of Jerusalem after it had been captured by Babylon. “…and in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah…” This refers back to a previous period where God established a strong Jewish community in Judah (the area now including modern-day Israel). Zerubbabel was a prominent leader during this time. “gave the portions of the singers and the porters, every day his portion:” This means these workers were given regular payments – like a salary or allowance – for their work. The specific roles they held (singers and porters) were important because they were responsible for performing religious duties. “and they sanctified [holy things] unto the Levites; and the Levites sanctified [them] unto the children of Aaron.” This is the really key part! "Sanctified" means to protect something, make it holy. "unto the Levites" – The Levites were a group of priests and musicians who performed religious rituals. They had special access to sacred areas within the Temple. “unto the children of Aaron” – This refers to the high priest, who held a very important position in the Temple. He was responsible for maintaining the sanctity of the Temple and performing rituals that connected the people with God. So, what's the big takeaway? This verse shows that religious workers were valued and protected. It highlights the importance of giving these individuals respect and responsibility to keep the temple (and ultimately, the whole community) holy. It was a way for God to show His care and acknowledge their dedication to his work. In short: Nehemiah made sure his religious workers were well-compensated and allowed to maintain a sacred space, reflecting God's desire for holiness in their lives. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the significance of this passage within Jewish tradition? Give some examples of how this principle applies today?