We had previously met Eliashib the high priest and his brothers the priests as volunteers for the wall-building project (Nehemiah 3:1, Nehemiah 3:22, Nehemiah 3:28). Their long-term assignment, of course, centred on the temple previously rebuilt (Ezra 6:14). As instructors of the law of God, they were also expected to ensure obedience to it (Leviticus 10:11; Malachi 2:7).
12 Then they said, “We will restore these and require nothing from them. We will do as you say.” And I called the priests and made them swear to do as they had promised.