What commitments does the signed covenant specify?

Following the solemn historical confession, the leaders of the restored community formalized their commitment by signing a written covenant before God. The document was headed by the civil administration, beginning with Nehemias the governor (known as the Athersatha son of Hachelai) and Sedecias. Twenty-one priestly representatives subscribed to the document: Saraias, Azarias, Jeremias, Pheshur, Amarias, Melchias, Hattus, Sebenia, Melluch, Harem, Merimuth, Obdias, Daniel, Genthon, Baruch, Mosollam, Abia, Miamin, Maazia, Belgia, and Semeia.

The Levites followed by ratifying the covenant through seventeen representatives, led by Josue son of Azanias, Bennui of the line of Henadad, and Cedmihel, alongside their brethren Sebenia, Oduia, Celita, Phalaia, Hanan, Micha, Rohob, Hasebia, Zachur, Serebia, Sabania, Odaia, Bani, and Baninu. In addition, forty-four leaders representing the lay clans subscribed to the covenant: Pharos, Phahath Moab, Elam, Zethu, Bani, Bonni, Azgad, Bebai, Adonia, Begoai, Adin, Ater, Hezecia, Azur, Odaia, Hasum, Besai, Hareph, Anathoth, Nebai, Megphias, Mosollam, Hazir, Mesizabel, Sadoc, Jeddua, Pheltia, Hanan, Anaia, Osee, Hanania, Hasub, Alohes, Phalea, Sobec, Rehum, Hasebna, Maasia, Echaia, Hanan, Anan, Melluch, Haran, and Baana.

The remaining population—including the priests, Levites, gatekeepers, temple singers, Nathinites, and all who had separated themselves from the surrounding pagan populations to embrace God's Law, along with their wives, sons, and daughters capable of understanding—joined with their leaders. They bound themselves under a solemn oath to walk in the Law of God delivered through Moses and to observe all commandments, judgments, and ceremonies of the Lord. Specifically, they swore two major social and religious prohibitions: they would never give their daughters in marriage to the peoples of the surrounding lands nor take foreign daughters for their sons; furthermore, if neighboring peoples brought goods, grain, or wares to sell on the Sabbath or holy festivals, they would refuse all transactions. They also pledged to let the land lie fallow during every seventh year and cancel all financial exactions and debts.

To ensure the continual operation of public worship, the community made an ordinance to give one-third of a sicle each year for the service of the house of God. These funds financed the showbread (loaves of proposition), the continual sacrifice, perpetual holocausts for Sabbaths, new moons, and festive assemblies, as well as sin offerings to make atonement for Israel. They cast lots among the priests, Levites, and lay families to supply firewood at fixed intervals each year to fuel the altar of holocausts as prescribed in the Law. They also committed to bring the firstfruits of their agricultural harvests and fruit trees to the temple year by year, along with the firstborn of their sons and cattle, presenting oxen and sheep to the ministering priests. Furthermore, they promised to deliver the firstfruits of their meats, wine, and olive oil to the temple storehouses for the priests, while paying tithes of their land to the Levites across all farming settlements. An Aaronite priest was designated to supervise the Levites during tithe collection, and the Levites were required to transport a tenth of those tithes directly to the temple treasury storehouses where sacred vessels and ministers resided, bringing the covenant to a close with their corporate pledge never to abandon the house of their God.