Obligation 5—Supplying Firewood for the Altar. This was a pledge to provide the wood necessary to keep the fire burning on the altar. It was not timber or sticks and poles but was wood that was meant for burning. It was required by the law in Lev 6.12-13 that the fire on the altar be kept burning continually, but no provision was made for the supply of firewood. This lack is supplied here by a new obligation.

We have likewise cast lots: The Israelites used a set of objects to find God’s will and to determine what course of action to take. The Urim and Thummim were often used by the high priest to find God’s will (see Ezra 2.63), but here it is not known what objects were used. They might have been small pieces of wood or small stones or perhaps something with writing on it. Also the text does not indicate where they were made to fall. In Pro 16.33 these objects are dropped onto a person’s lap. Contemporary English Version avoids the issue of casting lots and renders this as “We have decided.” However, the mention of casting lots should not be omitted because in the Old Testament this method was commonly used in making decisions (also Neh 11.1). Good News Translation makes explicit that the purpose of casting lots was to decide whose turn it was to bring the firewood each year. Many languages have a general expression for casting lots, drawing lots or throwing lots. A term or expression that is closely identified with a receptor culture, such as “watching a crab,” should not be used, because it is too culture specific and could not be identified with Israel. If the receptor culture does not use casting lots, throwing dice or any other such system for making a choice, the translator may use another expression such as “We tested things to find God’s will.”

Revised Standard Version and most translations indicate that the casting of lots already took place (have cast … lots), but Good News Translation places it in the future (“will draw lots”). It is recommended that the interpretation of Revised Standard Version be followed.

Wood offering: This expression is found only here and in Neh 13.31, where Nehemiah draws attention to this offering as one of the special things for which he should be remembered. It was an offering in the sense that it was “contributed” (so New International Version) by the people for the Temple worship. It is firewood that was used for the fire on the altar; it was not other kinds of timber that might be used in Temple building or repairs.

According to our fathers’ houses, at times appointed, year by year: The fathers’ houses were the ancestral houses or clans of the priests, the Levites, and the people, that is, the laity. They were designated to provide firewood at appointed times each year. The text does not specify how the appointed times would be designated or who would determine when these “set times” (New International Version) or “fixed times” (New American Standard Bible) would occur (see Ezra 10.14).

For altar see Ezra 3.2.

Quoted with permission from Noss, Philip A. and Thomas, Kenneth J. A Handbook on Nehemiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2005. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .