In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals.

NEHEMIAH 13:15KJV
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Nehemiah 13:15 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 13:15 mean?

Nehemiah 13:15 describes how Nehemiah saw people in Judah working on the Sabbath, including treading wine presses, bringing in harvests, loading donkeys with goods, and carrying all sorts of burdens into Jerusalem. Nehemiah confronted them for selling food and doing business on the Sabbath day, which was supposed to be a day of rest.

Nehemiah himself is speaking here, recounting what he witnessed among the people of Judah after returning to Jerusalem. The verse shows Nehemiah’s concern for the community’s disregard of the Sabbath, a commandment meant to set Israel apart. The activities mentioned—like treading wine presses and selling food—were normal on other days but were forbidden on the Sabbath, highlighting how everyday business had taken priority over religious observance.

The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 13:15

  • שָׁבָּת (shabbat): This word means "Sabbath," the seventh day of the week set aside for rest. Its repeated use in the verse underscores that the issue was not just work in general, but specifically breaking the Sabbath command.
  • עָמָס (ʿamas): Translated as "lading" (loading), this word refers to loading animals with goods. The detail shows that the work was not minor or accidental, but organized business activity.
  • מַשָּׂא (massaʾ): Meaning "burdens," this word points to the physical loads being carried into Jerusalem. It emphasizes the commercial nature of the activity, not just personal chores.

Why Nehemiah 13:15 matters

  • Nehemiah 13:15 makes clear that the community’s problem was not just personal neglect but a widespread, public disregard for the Sabbath, involving many people and types of work.
  • The verse highlights Nehemiah’s leadership style—he does not ignore the issue but confronts it directly, showing his commitment to restoring religious practices.
  • This verse sets up the rest of the chapter, where Nehemiah takes further steps to correct Sabbath violations, showing the practical challenges of rebuilding not just walls, but the spiritual life of Jerusalem.

Where else these words appear

“presses” Hebrew H1660 · used in 5 verses

  • Judges 6:11 And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.
  • Isaiah 63:2 Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat?
  • Lamentations 1:15 The Lord hath trodden under foot all my mighty men in the midst of me: he hath called an assembly against me to crush my young men: the Lord hath trodden the virgin, the daughter of Judah, as in a winepress.

“lading” Hebrew H6006 · used in 9 verses

  • Genesis 44:13 Then they rent their clothes, and laded every man his ass, and returned to the city.
  • 2 Chronicles 10:11 For whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you, I will put more to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
  • Isaiah 46:1 Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages were heavy loaden; they are a burden to the weary beast.

“sheaves” Hebrew H6194 · used in 10 verses

  • Ruth 3:7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.
  • 2 Chronicles 31:8 And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD, and his people Israel.
  • Song of Solomon 7:2 Thy navel is like a round goblet, which wanteth not liquor: thy belly is like an heap of wheat set about with lilies.

“grapes” Hebrew H6025 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 40:10 And in the vine were three branches: and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes:
  • Numbers 13:20 And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be ye of good courage, and bring of the fruit of the land. Now the time was the time of the firstripe grapes.
  • Isaiah 5:2 And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.