Nehemiah 13:5

and he had prepared R.V. had prepared. Literally, -had made." It is possible that we are to understand by this expression that Eliashib had made a large chamber for Tobiah by knocking together two or three smaller ones. But it is better to understand by it -had fitted up" or -furnished."

chamber One of the rooms on the side of the Temple or in the buildings connected with the Temple. The suggestion that Tobiah was a Jew and that the high-priest's action may have technically been defensible does not agree with the general impression to be gathered from Nehemiah's narrative, cf. Nehemiah 2:10.

the meat offerings R.V. the meal offerings. For the law of the meal offering, cf. Leviticus 2:6.

the frankincense For the use of frankincense in offerings, cf. Exodus 30:34; Leviticus 2:1; Leviticus 2:15; Leviticus 6:15; Leviticus 24:7; 1 Chronicles 9:29.

the vessels Probably the various instruments for measuring the quantities contributed and for conveying them to the altar, cf. Nehemiah 10:39.

the tithes The tithe here referred to is of the produce of the field, cf. Nehemiah 10:37.

the new wine R.V. the wine.

which was commandedto be given] R.V. which were given by commandment. Literally, -the commandment of," i.e. -the statutable right of," -the due of," cf. Deuteronomy 18:3.

Levites … singers … porters

and the offerings of the priests R.V. and the heave offerings for the priests. These were the priests" tithe of the Levites" tithe as mentioned in Nehemiah 10:39, 40, Nehemiah 12:47.