Definition: Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down that passage from Nehemiah 13:11. It’s a really important verse about justice and responsibility. Here's what it means, explained simply: The Basic Story: Nehemiah was a leader in Jerusalem. He was trying to rebuild the city after a long period of neglect and disorder. He noticed something troubling: The house of God – a sacred place for worship – wasn’t being used properly. It was being left abandoned and forgotten. He challenged the people: Nehemiah called out the leaders, saying “Why is the house of God forsaken?” This means it's not being treated with respect or care. What did he do? He gathered them together: He brought everyone involved in the rebuilding – officials, priests, and people – together. He put them in their place: This is the crucial part! He directed them to move the buildings and furnishings back where they belonged. It was like rearranging furniture to make a space functional again. What’s the Big Message? The verse is about responsibility . It’s about caring for what God has given us. The house of God (which represents something holy, spiritual, or important) needs to be used and cared for. It's about accountability. Nehemiah was holding people accountable for their actions – in this case, neglecting the sacred space of the house of God. In a nutshell: Nehemiah was saying, "You need to take care of this place, because it’s important and deserves respect." --- Does that explanation make sense? Would you like me to: Explain another verse from the Bible? Discuss the historical context of this event? Connect it to a broader theme in the Bible (like justice, community, or worship)?