Nehemiah 13:19 kjv
And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day.
Nehemiah 13:19 nkjv
So it was, at the gates of Jerusalem, as it began to be dark before the Sabbath, that I commanded the gates to be shut, and charged that they must not be opened till after the Sabbath. Then I posted some of my servants at the gates, so that no burdens would be brought in on the Sabbath day.
Nehemiah 13:19 niv
When evening shadows fell on the gates of Jerusalem before the Sabbath, I ordered the doors to be shut and not opened until the Sabbath was over. I stationed some of my own men at the gates so that no load could be brought in on the Sabbath day.
Nehemiah 13:19 esv
As soon as it began to grow dark at the gates of Jerusalem before the Sabbath, I commanded that the doors should be shut and gave orders that they should not be opened until after the Sabbath. And I stationed some of my servants at the gates, that no load might be brought in on the Sabbath day.
Nehemiah 13:19 nlt
Then I commanded that the gates of Jerusalem should be shut as darkness fell every Friday evening, not to be opened until the Sabbath ended. I sent some of my own servants to guard the gates so that no merchandise could be brought in on the Sabbath day.
Nehemiah 13 19 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 2:3 | God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating... | God sanctified the Sabbath from creation. |
| Exod 20:8-11 | Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. | The Fourth Commandment: keeping the Sabbath holy. |
| Exod 31:13 | Speak also to the people of Israel, saying, ‘Above all you shall keep my Sabbaths, for this is a sign between me and you... that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you.' | Sabbath as a perpetual sign of the covenant between God and Israel. |
| Lev 23:3 | Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work on it... | Defines the Sabbath as a holy day of no work. |
| Num 15:32-36 | While the people of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day... the Lord said to Moses, "The man shall surely be put to death." | Serious penalty for profaning the Sabbath. |
| Deut 5:12-15 | Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the Lord your God commanded you... that your male and female servant may rest as well as you... remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt. | Command to keep Sabbath, remembering liberation from slavery. |
| Neh 13:15 | In those days I saw in Judah people treading winepresses on the Sabbath, and bringing in heaps of grain... and wine. And they were bringing fish and all kinds of merchandise, and selling them on the Sabbath to the people... | Immediate context: Nehemiah witnessed Sabbath profanation by merchants. |
| Neh 13:17-18 | I confronted the officials of Judah and said to them, "What is this evil thing you are doing, profaning the Sabbath day?... did not our fathers do this, and did not our God bring all this disaster on us...?" | Nehemiah rebukes officials, linking past Sabbath breaking to Judah's downfall. |
| Isa 56:2 | Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath, not profaning it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil. | Blessing promised for those who keep the Sabbath. |
| Isa 58:13-14 | If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on My holy day... then you shall take delight in the Lord... | Conditions for true Sabbath delight and blessings. |
| Jer 17:19-27 | "Thus says the Lord: 'Take care for the sake of your lives, and do not bear a burden on the Sabbath day or bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem... But if you will not listen to me, to keep the Sabbath day holy...'" | Prophetic warning against carrying burdens through Jerusalem gates on Sabbath. |
| Eze 20:12 | "Moreover, I gave them my Sabbaths, as a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord who sanctifies them." | Reinforces Sabbath as a sign of sanctification. |
| Mal 3:6 | "For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed." | God's unchanging nature underscores the perpetuity of His commands. |
| Matt 11:28-30 | "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." | Jesus offers true spiritual rest, fulfilling the Sabbath principle. |
| Mark 2:27-28 | "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath." | Jesus' teaching on the Sabbath's purpose (for man's benefit) and His authority. |
| Heb 4:9-11 | So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest... | New Covenant understanding of 'rest' and entering God's ultimate rest. |
| Phil 4:9 | What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. | Example of living out biblical principles (Nehemiah's leadership as an example). |
| Titus 2:7 | Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity. | Nehemiah serves as an example of resolute, principled leadership. |
| Ezra 9:1-2 | After these things had been done, the officials approached me and said, "The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands with their abominations..." | Similar problem of compromise, showing continuity of post-exilic issues. |
| Deut 4:2 | "You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you." | Emphasizes the importance of upholding God's word precisely. |
| 1 John 5:3 | For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. | Keeping commandments is an act of love for God. |
Nehemiah 13 verses
Nehemiah 13 19 Meaning
Nehemiah 13:19 describes Nehemiah's decisive action to enforce Sabbath observance in Jerusalem. As darkness approached before the Sabbath began at sunset, he personally ordered the city gates to be shut and remain closed until the Sabbath ended. Furthermore, he appointed his own trusted servants to guard these gates, specifically to prevent merchants and any form of commerce or burden-bearing from entering the holy city on the sacred day, thus upholding the sanctity of God's appointed day of rest.
Nehemiah 13 19 Context
Nehemiah 13:19 occurs during Nehemiah's second term as governor in Jerusalem. Having returned to Persia for a period, Nehemiah received distressing news about the deterioration of religious and moral standards among the returned exiles (Neh 13:6-7). Upon his return to Jerusalem, he found rampant compromises, including Tobiah the Ammonite residing in a temple chamber, Levites not receiving their due support, and most notably, the widespread profanation of the Sabbath through commercial activities and trade by people of Judah and foreign merchants (Neh 13:15-16). This Sabbath breaking was a direct violation of a foundational covenant command (Exod 20:8; Jer 17:21-23) and, according to Nehemiah, was a root cause of their ancestors' exile (Neh 13:18). This verse encapsulates Nehemiah's bold and immediate administrative and spiritual response to restore proper observance and holiness to the city and its people. His action aimed not merely at economic control but at defending the sanctity of God's holy day, which was central to Israel's identity and covenant relationship with God.
Nehemiah 13 19 Word analysis
And it was that: Indicates the temporal and sequential nature of Nehemiah's observations and actions. It signifies a moment of specific importance triggering immediate action.
as soon as: (Hebrew: kĕshayōmar) Highlights the promptness and urgency of Nehemiah's response. He did not delay.
the gates of Jerusalem: (Hebrew: sha‘ar Yərûshālāim שַׁעַר יְרוּשָׁלַם) Literal entry points to the city, symbolizing access, commerce, justice, and the public sphere. Closing them on the Sabbath signified closing off secular activity and safeguarding the city's spiritual sanctity.
began to be dark: (Hebrew: lachshōk לַחְשׁוֹךְ from châshak) Refers to the onset of twilight. This is significant because the biblical day began at sunset (Lev 23:32), meaning the Sabbath commenced officially with the first appearance of stars. Nehemiah acted pre-emptively, ensuring closure before the Sabbath technically began, allowing no grace period for commerce.
before the sabbath: (Hebrew: lipeḥne hashShabbāth לִפְנֵי הַשַּׁבָּת) Specifies the precise moment, just prior to sunset on Friday, the official start of the Sabbath. This pre-emptive closure demonstrated Nehemiah's meticulous observance.
I commanded: (Hebrew: vā’ōmar וָאֹמַר - 'and I said' or 'I commanded') Demonstrates Nehemiah's direct, personal authority and leadership in enforcing God's law. He didn't delegate the initial decision.
that the doors should be shut: (Hebrew: lisaɡor haDDəlāthôt לִסְגֹר הַדְּלָתוֹת) Emphasis on complete closure, sealing off entry. This was a physical barrier against desecration.
and commanded that they should not be opened: Reinforces the strictness and duration of the closure. This was not a temporary measure but a continuous state until the holy day was over.
till after the sabbath: (Hebrew: ‘aḥar haShabbāth אַחַר הַשַּׁבָּת) Specifies the full duration of the closure—from twilight Friday until twilight Saturday, covering the entire sacred day of rest.
and some of my servants: Indicates Nehemiah used his personal, trusted retinue (likely armed and loyal) rather than relying on potentially corrupt or uncommitted local officials.
I set over the gates: Placement of guardians to physically enforce the closure, preventing evasion or clandestine activity. This shows a practical, unwavering commitment to the command.
that no burden should be brought in on the sabbath day: (Hebrew: lo'yāvî'û massā' לֹא יָבִיאוּ מַשָּׂא בְיוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת) "Burden" (מַשָּׂא - massa’) specifically refers to merchandise or any goods being transported for commerce or labor. This was the direct prohibited activity. It highlights the commercial aspect of Sabbath profanation that Nehemiah was combating.
"began to be dark before the sabbath" and "till after the sabbath": These phrases define the strict time boundary for Sabbath observance as commencing at sunset on the sixth day and concluding at sunset on the seventh. This timing was critical for legal observance in ancient Israel (Lev 23:32).
"I commanded that the doors should be shut, and commanded that they should not be opened": This reiteration underscores the decisiveness and non-negotiable nature of Nehemiah's edict. His word was law in this reform.
"some of my servants I set over the gates, that no burden should be brought in on the sabbath day": This indicates Nehemiah's proactive and robust enforcement. It was not enough to issue a command; physical oversight was required to prevent the prohibited commercial activity (massa') that dishonored the holy day. This shows a firm, hands-on leadership style.
Nehemiah 13 19 Bonus section
- Polemic against Worldliness: Nehemiah's action was a strong polemic against the pervasive temptation to prioritize worldly gain over divine commands. It directly confronted the economic practices of the time that threatened the spiritual fabric of the community. The "burdens" (merchandise) were a tangible symbol of profanity entering a holy space (Jerusalem) on a holy time (Sabbath).
- A Symbol of Sanctification: The closed gates served as a powerful visual symbol to the entire community: the Sabbath was a demarcated, sacred time. It marked the boundary between common and holy, work and rest, the world's ways and God's ways. The act transformed the physical space of Jerusalem into a more sacred precinct for a day.
- Nehemiah's Character: This verse highlights Nehemiah's zeal, pragmatism, and unyielding dedication to God's law. He was not a distant leader but one who actively intervened, deploying personal resources and authority to rectify flagrant sin. His commitment to practical enforcement distinguishes him.
- Holiness through Separation: The shutting of the gates embodies the principle of separation, vital for the pursuit of holiness. Israel was called to be distinct from the nations (Exod 19:5-6), and their unique Sabbath observance was a crucial part of that distinctiveness.
- Covenant Restoration: This specific act was a major step in Nehemiah's broader program of covenant restoration. By enforcing the Sabbath, he was attempting to bring the community back into alignment with the very essence of their identity as God's chosen people.
Nehemiah 13 19 Commentary
Nehemiah 13:19 provides a vivid snapshot of righteous leadership committed to upholding divine law against popular complacency and economic pressure. Faced with open disregard for the Sabbath, a signpost of Israel's covenant with God, Nehemiah did not simply admonish or issue a general decree. He took immediate, decisive, and tangible action. His orders to shut the city gates well before the Sabbath began and to appoint personal guards demonstrated a profound conviction in the sanctity of God's day. This was a necessary and dramatic intervention, directly countering the unholy alliance between unfaithful Jews and foreign merchants who prioritized profit over piety.
This act was not merely about gate-keeping; it was a profound declaration of Judah's renewed commitment to God's holiness and covenant. Nehemiah recognized that Sabbath breaking, historically linked to national disaster (Jer 17:19-27; Neh 13:18), was a deep-seated spiritual problem. By sealing off the commercial activity at the city's entry points, he was symbolically sealing off the nation from ungodly influences and protecting its spiritual purity. His example illustrates the essence of biblical leadership: identifying spiritual decay, courageously confronting sin, and implementing practical measures to enforce God's righteous standards for the well-being and holiness of the community.