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.

NEHEMIAH 13:21KJV
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Nehemiah 13:21 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 13:21 mean?

Nehemiah 13:21 describes how Nehemiah warned traders and merchants who were spending the night near Jerusalem’s wall, telling them to stop doing so on the Sabbath or he would take action against them. After this warning, they stopped coming on the Sabbath.

Nehemiah himself is speaking to merchants who were trying to sell goods in Jerusalem on the Sabbath, despite previous instructions to keep the day holy. The verse shows Nehemiah’s determination to enforce Sabbath observance and his willingness to confront those who threatened it, emphasizing the seriousness with which he viewed keeping the Sabbath.

The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 13:21

  • "Testified" (עֵד H5749, ‘ed): This word means to give a strong warning or to bear witness. Nehemiah’s warning was not casual; it was an official, forceful statement.
  • "Lodge" (לוּן H3885, lun): This word means to spend the night or stay overnight. The merchants were not just passing by; they were intentionally staying near the wall, likely hoping to sell goods as soon as possible.
  • "Lay" (שָׁלַח H7971, shalach) and "hands" (יָד H3027, yad): Together, these words mean to physically take action, possibly even to use force. Nehemiah’s warning was that he would not hesitate to act if the merchants ignored his command.
  • "Sabbath" (שַׁבָּת H7676, shabbat): This word refers to the weekly day of rest, which was central to Jewish life and law. The merchants’ actions threatened the distinctiveness of this day.

Why Nehemiah 13:21 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Nehemiah was not just making a suggestion but was prepared to enforce Sabbath observance with real consequences, showing the seriousness of his leadership.
  • The verse highlights the ongoing struggle to maintain religious practices in the face of economic pressures and outside influences, a theme throughout Nehemiah.
  • It connects to the broader passage by showing Nehemiah’s practical steps to restore and protect the community’s identity and faithfulness after returning from exile.

Where else these words appear

“again” Hebrew H8138 · used in 21 verses

  • Genesis 41:32 And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.
  • Esther 1:7 And they gave them drink in vessels of gold,(the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king.
  • Proverbs 17:9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

“about” Hebrew H5048 · used in 23 verses

  • Genesis 21:16 And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.
  • 2 Samuel 22:25 Therefore the LORD hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight.
  • Nehemiah 11:22 The overseer also of the Levites at Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micha. Of the sons of Asaph, the singers were over the business of the house of God.

“testified” Hebrew H5749 · used in 40 verses

  • Genesis 43:3 And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.
  • 2 Kings 17:13 Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.
  • Psalms 146:9 The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.

“lodge” Hebrew H3885 · used in 79 verses

  • Genesis 19:2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.
  • Joshua 3:1 And Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over.
  • Job 17:2 Are there not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their provocation?