2. The Ammonites and Moabites had not welcomed the Israelites with food and water. Instead, they had hired Balaam to put a curse on Israel. (But our God turned the curse into a blessing.)
3. When the people heard this teaching, they separated all foreigners from Israel.
4. Before that happened, Eliashib the priest, who was in charge of the Temple storerooms, was friendly with Tobiah.
5. Eliashib let Tobiah use one of the large storerooms. Earlier it had been used for grain offerings, incense, the utensils, and the tenth offerings of grain, new wine, and olive oil that belonged to the Levites, singers, and gatekeepers. It had also been used for gifts for the priests.