# the Levites' portions had not been given to them

The full meaning of this statement can be made clear. This can also be translated in active form. AT: "the people had not been bringing into the storerooms their tithes and offerings of food for the temple priests" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

# they had run away, each to his own field, the Levites and the singers who did the work

"the Levites and the singers who did the work had left the temple, each one going to his own field"

# Why is the house of God neglected?

Nehemiah uses a rhetorical question to challenge or even ridicule the officials who had not done their work. This question can be translated as a statement. AT: "You have neglected the house of God!" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

# translationWords

* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/names/levite]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/works]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/houseofgod]]