Nehemiah 13:21
Nehemiah 13:21 in Multiple Translations
but I warned them, “Why are you camping in front of the wall? If you do it again, I will lay hands on you.” From that time on, they did not return on the Sabbath.
Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath.
Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath.
Then I gave witness against them and said, Why are you waiting all night by the wall? if you do so again I will have you taken prisoners. From that time they did not come again on the Sabbath.
I warned them, saying, “Why are you spending the night by the wall? If you do that again I'll have you arrested!” After that they didn't come on the Sabbath.
And I protested among them, and said vnto them, Why tary ye all night about the wall? If ye do it once againe, I will lay hands vpon you. from that time came they no more on the Sabbath.
and I testify against them, and say unto them, 'Wherefore are ye lodging over-against the wall? if ye repeat [it], a hand I put forth upon you;' from that time they have not come in on the sabbath.
Then I testified against them, and said to them, “Why do you stay around the wall? If you do so again, I will lay hands on you.” From that time on, they didn’t come on the Sabbath.
Then I testified against them, and said to them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth they came no more on the sabbath.
And I charged them, and I said to them: Why stay you before the wall? if you do so another time, I will lay hands on you. And from that time they came no more on the sabbath.
I warned them, “It is useless [RHQ] for you to stay here outside the walls on Friday night! If you do this again, I will tell my men to arrest you!” So after that, they did not come on Sabbath days.
Berean Amplified Bible — Nehemiah 13:21
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Nehemiah 13:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — Nehemiah 13:21
Study Notes — Nehemiah 13:21
- Context
- Cross References
- Nehemiah 13:21 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Nehemiah 13:21
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Nehemiah 13:21
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Nehemiah 13:21
- Trapp's Commentary on Nehemiah 13:21
- Ellicott's Commentary on Nehemiah 13:21
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Nehemiah 13:21
- Cambridge Bible on Nehemiah 13:21
- Barnes' Notes on Nehemiah 13:21
- Whedon's Commentary on Nehemiah 13:21
- Sermons on Nehemiah 13:21
Context — The Sabbath Restored
21but I warned them, “Why are you camping in front of the wall? If you do it again, I will lay hands on you.” From that time on, they did not return on the Sabbath.
22Then I instructed the Levites to purify themselves and guard the gates in order to keep the Sabbath day holy. Remember me for this as well, O my God, and show me mercy according to Your abundant loving devotion. 23In those days I also saw Jews who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Romans 13:3–4 | For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer. |
| 2 | 1 Peter 2:14 | or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. |
| 3 | Ezra 7:26 | If anyone does not keep the law of your God and the law of the king, let a strict judgment be executed against him, whether death, banishment, confiscation of property, or imprisonment. |
| 4 | Nehemiah 13:15 | In those days I saw people in Judah treading winepresses on the Sabbath and bringing in grain and loading it on donkeys, along with wine, grapes, and figs. All kinds of goods were being brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. So I warned them against selling food on that day. |
Nehemiah 13:21 Summary
Nehemiah 13:21 shows us how important it is to keep the Sabbath day holy, just as God commanded in Exodus 20:8-11. Nehemiah warned the merchants who were trying to sell their goods on the Sabbath, and they listened and obeyed. This teaches us that we should prioritize resting on the Sabbath and focusing on God, rather than on our own work or activities, as Jesus also taught in Mark 2:27. By keeping the Sabbath holy, we can show our love and respect for God, just as Nehemiah did.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Nehemiah's concern with the merchants camping in front of the wall?
Nehemiah was concerned that the merchants were trying to sell their goods on the Sabbath day, which was against God's command to keep the Sabbath holy, as seen in Exodus 20:8-11 and Deuteronomy 5:12-15.
Why did Nehemiah threaten to lay hands on the merchants?
Nehemiah threatened to lay hands on the merchants to emphasize the seriousness of their disobedience and to protect the sanctity of the Sabbath day, as God had commanded in Numbers 15:32-36.
What was the result of Nehemiah's warning to the merchants?
After Nehemiah warned the merchants, they did not return on the Sabbath, indicating that they took his warning seriously and chose to obey God's command to keep the Sabbath holy, as Nehemiah had also done in Nehemiah 13:19.
How does this verse relate to the broader theme of Nehemiah's leadership?
This verse demonstrates Nehemiah's commitment to upholding God's law and his role as a leader in protecting the spiritual well-being of the people, as seen in Nehemiah 1:4-11 and Nehemiah 13:1-3.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can prioritize keeping the Sabbath day holy in my own life, just as Nehemiah did?
- How can I, like Nehemiah, balance compassion and firmness when addressing sin or disobedience in my own community?
- What are some modern-day equivalents to the merchants camping in front of the wall, and how can I avoid being tempted by them?
- In what ways can I, like Nehemiah, demonstrate my commitment to upholding God's law and protecting the spiritual well-being of those around me?
Gill's Exposition on Nehemiah 13:21
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Nehemiah 13:21
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Nehemiah 13:21
Trapp's Commentary on Nehemiah 13:21
Ellicott's Commentary on Nehemiah 13:21
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Nehemiah 13:21
Cambridge Bible on Nehemiah 13:21
Barnes' Notes on Nehemiah 13:21
Whedon's Commentary on Nehemiah 13:21
Sermons on Nehemiah 13:21
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Nehemiah, Esther by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the story of Nehemiah and the importance of having a burden for God's work. He emphasizes the need for one person who is not discouraged by o |
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The Sin of Silence by Laurence White | In this sermon, the speaker urges Christians in America to take action against evil and fight for righteousness. He references the story of the White Rose, a group of university st |
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The Decree of Judgment by Aaron Dunlop | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the concept of judgment and the decree of judgment as prescribed by the Lord. The sermon explores the idea that what we sow, we will reap, a |
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Be a Servant of All! by Bill Gothard | Bill Gothard shares a powerful story of a bitter beggar who, after initially rejecting God due to his hardships, eventually accepts Christ and becomes a dynamic witness of the Gosp |
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If the Foundations Are Destroyed by Shane Idleman | Shane Idleman emphasizes the critical role of the church in guiding society during turbulent times, asserting that if the foundations of truth are destroyed, the righteous must act |
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Epistle 188 by George Fox | George Fox emphasizes the importance of living in the seed of God, which overcomes the devil and the strife he causes. He calls for a rejection of false accusations against those w |
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Epistle 111 by George Fox | George Fox warns believers to speak plainly and truthfully, allowing their words to reflect the light of Christ within them. He emphasizes that words should be life-giving and root |






