Original Word: נִשְׁכָּה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: nishkah
Pronunciation: nish-KAH
Phonetic Spelling: (nish-kaw')
KJV: chamber
NASB: chambers, quarters, room
Word Origin: [for H3957 (לִשׁכָּה - chambers)]

1. a cell

chamber

For lishkah; a cell -- chamber.

see HEBREW lishkah

Word Origin
from nashak
Definition
a chamber
NASB Translation
chambers (1), quarters (1), room (1).

נִשְׁכָּה noun feminine chamber (rare "" of לִשְׁכָּה, q. v.; compare W^{SG 67}); — absolute ׳נ Nehemiah 13:7, suffix נִשְׁכָּתוֺ Nehemiah 3:30, both rooms of individuals; plural absolute נְשָׁכוֺת Nehemiah 12:44 (Chronicles) = treasuries, storehouses.

Definition and Scope

נִשְׁכָּה designates an enclosed chamber or suite of rooms constructed for ministry purposes within the precincts of Jerusalem’s wall or the rebuilt temple complex. Though architecturally modest, each נִשְׁכָּה became a strategic node for covenant obedience, safeguarding offerings, housing personnel, and embodying Israel’s renewed dedication after the exile.

Occurrences in Nehemiah

• Nehemiah 3:30 situates a נִשְׁכָּה along the eastern wall, opposite Meshullam’s house. Its mention in the repair list shows that private dwellings and sacred chambers shared the same defensive perimeter, underscoring communal responsibility for both domestic and cultic life.
• Nehemiah 12:44 records that “men were appointed over the storerooms”, highlighting the נִשְׁכּוֹת as tithe depots. These rooms ensured uninterrupted priestly and Levitical service by securing “the portions prescribed by the Law.”
• Nehemiah 13:7 exposes Eliashib’s misuse: “I discovered the evil that Eliashib had done for Tobiah by providing him a room in the courts of the house of God”. The same chamber engineered for holy contributions had been degraded into private luxury for an Ammonite adversary.

Architectural Function

Post-exilic Jerusalem lacked the vast auxiliary courts of Solomon’s temple, so purpose-built chambers were recessed into the outer wall or annexed to temple courtyards. A נִשְׁכָּה could serve as:

1. Storage for grain, wine, and oil (compare Nehemiah 10:39).
2. Offices for Levitical treasurers who catalogued tithes.
3. Meeting space for musicians and gatekeepers assigned “daily portions” (Nehemiah 13:10).
4. Transitional housing for priests during weekly courses.

Its placement “in the courts of the house of God” (Nehemiah 13:7) meant constant exposure to worship, prayer, and sacrifice, encouraging stewardship that was both practical and profoundly spiritual.

Levitical Administration

The chambers attest to a meticulous system of accountability. Appointees in Nehemiah 12:44 gathered contributions “from the fields of the towns,” then sorted them inside each נִשְׁכָּה before redistribution. This guarded Israel against two perennial threats: neglect of priestly livelihood (Malachi 3:8-10) and the temptation to divert holy goods for secular gain. Their recordkeeping prefigures New Testament exhortations that “it is required of stewards that they be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2).

Sanctity Defended by Nehemiah

Nehemiah’s expulsion of Tobiah (Nehemiah 13:8-9) reveals how zeal for God’s house governs even secondary structures. By emptying, cleansing, and restoring the chamber to its original service, Nehemiah affirmed three principles:

1. The temple, including its ancillary rooms, is exclusively for covenant purposes.
2. Personal relationships or political pragmatism cannot override divine ordinance.
3. Spiritual reform often begins with concrete, spatial decisions—re-purposing buildings for God’s glory.

Theology of Sacred Space

Though humble, a נִשְׁכָּה demonstrates that holiness permeates every square cubit designated for God. It embodies the Levitical distinction between the common and the holy (Leviticus 10:10), echoing forward to the New Covenant promise that believers themselves become “a temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:19). Misuse of the chamber illustrates how compromise in seemingly minor areas can jeopardize communal integrity.

Lessons for Contemporary Ministry

1. Purpose-built facilities—whether storage closets, finance offices, or ministry centers—must remain tethered to their kingdom mandate.
2. Transparent administration of resources honors both giver and God.
3. Physical environments shape spiritual outcomes; rightly ordered space can catalyze revival.
4. Vigilance is essential: like Nehemiah, leaders must inspect, correct, and consecrate the “rooms” under their care.

Conclusion

Strong’s Hebrew 5393, נִשְׁכָּה, portrays far more than a utility room; it is a witness to covenant faithfulness, administrative integrity, and the perpetual need to guard sacred trust. Whether holding tithes in ancient Jerusalem or stewarding resources in modern congregations, the principle endures: every chamber dedicated to the Lord must reflect His holiness and serve His people.

הַנְּשָׁכ֗וֹת הנשכות נִשְׁכָּ֔ה נִשְׁכָּתֽוֹ׃ נשכה נשכתו׃ han·nə·šā·ḵō·wṯ hannəšāḵōwṯ hanneshaChot niš·kā·ṯōw niš·kāh nishKah nishkaTo niškāh niškāṯōwInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts