Nehemiah 13 22

Nehemiah 13:22 kjv

And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.

Nehemiah 13:22 nkjv

And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should go and guard the gates, to sanctify the Sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of Your mercy!

Nehemiah 13:22 niv

Then I commanded the Levites to purify themselves and go and guard the gates in order to keep the Sabbath day holy. Remember me for this also, my God, and show mercy to me according to your great love.

Nehemiah 13:22 esv

Then I commanded the Levites that they should purify themselves and come and guard the gates, to keep the Sabbath day holy. Remember this also in my favor, O my God, and spare me according to the greatness of your steadfast love.

Nehemiah 13:22 nlt

Then I commanded the Levites to purify themselves and to guard the gates in order to preserve the holiness of the Sabbath. Remember this good deed also, O my God! Have compassion on me according to your great and unfailing love.

Nehemiah 13 verses

Nehemiah 13 22 Meaning

Nehemiah 13:22 details Nehemiah's command for the Levites to undergo ritual purification and then assume duties as guardians of the city gates, ensuring the sanctity of the Sabbath day by preventing its defilement through commerce. Following this resolute act of covenant restoration, Nehemiah offers a personal plea to God, asking to be remembered and shown mercy, grounding his appeal not in his own merit but in the abundant greatness of God's steadfast love.

Nehemiah 13 22 Context

Nehemiah chapter 13 depicts the governor's second return to Jerusalem, finding that despite his earlier reforms, many covenant violations had resumed during his absence. The immediate context of verse 22 stems from the pervasive issue of Sabbath profanation (Neh 13:15-21), where people were openly buying and selling, treading wine presses, and carrying burdens on the Sabbath, contrary to the covenant promises. Nehemiah's first action to address this was physically closing the city gates before the Sabbath began and employing his own servants to guard them. Verse 22 then extends this enforcement by entrusting the crucial role of gate-guarding to the Levites, but only after they have undergone a necessary purification, reinforcing the spiritual nature of this duty. This act, alongside Nehemiah's personal prayer, highlights the interweaving of practical governance, religious restoration, and deep personal piety in Nehemiah's leadership.

Nehemiah 13 22 Word analysis

• And I commanded (וָאֹמַר - wa'omer): Indicates Nehemiah's assertive exercise of his God-given authority as governor. It shows his decisive leadership in initiating spiritual and civil reforms.
• the Levites (לַלְוִיִּם - lall'wiyyim): Specific priestly assistants in Israel, responsible for temple duties, teaching the Law, and maintaining ritual purity. Their involvement highlights the sacred nature of the Sabbath and Nehemiah's aim to re-establish proper religious order.
• that they should cleanse themselves (כִּי יִֽתְחַטְּאוּ - ki yithchattu): From the root ḥāṭāʾ (to sin/miss the mark), in the Hithpael stem, meaning to purify or make oneself clean, often ritually. This was essential for engaging in sacred duties, symbolizing a removal of defilement before handling holy matters, including the holy Sabbath. It underscores that spiritual preparedness is prerequisite for divine service.
• and that they should come and guard (וּבָאוּ שֹׁמְרִים - u'va'u shomrim): Emphasizes both their arrival and their role as active protectors. Shomrim means "watchmen" or "keepers," indicating vigilance and responsibility.
• the gates (לַשְּׁעָרִים - lash-she'arim): Refers to the physical entrances to Jerusalem, which were points of trade and public assembly. Guarding them on Sabbath ensured no secular activities (buying/selling) desecrated the day, acting as both a physical and spiritual boundary.
• to sanctify (לְקַדֵּשׁ - le-qaddesh): From the root qadash, meaning "to make holy" or "to set apart." The purpose of guarding the gates was to consecrate the day, ensuring it remained distinct from ordinary days and dedicated to God.
• the Sabbath day (אֶת־יוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת - et-yom hash-shabbat): The divinely ordained day of rest, a central sign of the covenant between God and Israel (Ex 31:13-17) and a commemoration of creation. Its proper observance was vital for the identity and spiritual well-being of the returning community.
• Remember me (זָכְרֵה־לִּי - zakhre-li): A recurring humble prayer by Nehemiah (e.g., Neh 5:19, 13:14, 13:31). It is not a demand for payment, but a petition to God's covenant faithfulness, trusting God to acknowledge his sincere efforts for the Lord. It signifies his ultimate motivation is divine approval.
• O my God (אֱלֹהַי - Elohai): Reveals a personal and intimate relationship between Nehemiah and God. It's an expression of reliance and deep trust.
• concerning this also (גַּם־לָזֹאת - gam lazot): "Also" highlights that this is one of many instances where Nehemiah dedicated himself to God's work. It suggests a consistent pattern of selfless service and prayer.
• and spare me (וְחֻסָה עָלַי - ve-chussah alay): From the root ḥūs, meaning "to pity," "to spare," or "to show compassion." This plea acknowledges Nehemiah's own sinfulness and need for God's unmerited favor. Despite his strenuous efforts, he depends on divine mercy, not self-righteousness.
• according to the greatness (כְּרֹב - ke-rov): "According to the abundance/multitude/greatness." It points to the limitless nature of God's quality being invoked.
• of Your steadfast love (חַסְדֶּֽךָ - ḥasdekha): This is ḥesed, a profoundly significant Hebrew theological term, denoting God's covenant loyalty, faithfulness, loving-kindness, and mercy. It's the deep, unmerited, faithful love of God that underlies His promises and actions toward His people. Nehemiah bases his entire plea on God's intrinsic character, not on his own deeds, despite their value.

• "And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and guard the gates, to sanctify the Sabbath day." This entire clause demonstrates Nehemiah's resolute administrative and spiritual leadership. He combines practical enforcement (guarding gates) with proper religious protocol (Levitical purity), all aimed at the restoration of a foundational covenant command—Sabbath observance—which was critical for Israel's identity and relationship with God. It underlines the link between inner purity and outward service.
• "Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of Your steadfast love." This phrase embodies Nehemiah's profound humility and theological maturity. His extensive efforts for God's glory are met with a plea for divine mercy and remembrance, recognizing that his worth and ultimate reward are not based on human accomplishment, but solely on God's overflowing grace and covenant faithfulness (hesed). It transforms his good deeds from a cause for self-righteousness into an occasion for dependent prayer.

Nehemiah 13 22 Bonus section

Nehemiah's consistent plea to God for remembrance ("Remember me, O my God...") throughout the book (Neh 5:19; 6:14; 13:14, 22, 31) is a profound theological statement. It is not an ego-driven request for fame, but a humble acknowledgement that only God can truly discern the motives of the heart and only God's approval ultimately matters. This continuous appeal highlights that even the most zealous and effective human efforts for God's kingdom must ultimately rest on His unmerited favor (chesed). It suggests that Nehemiah saw himself as a servant working for the Master, trusting the Master to honor his labor out of His gracious nature, rather than claiming any debt. This is a model for believers: fervent action combined with an unwavering posture of dependence on God's grace and covenant love.

Nehemiah 13 22 Commentary

Nehemiah 13:22 marks a pivotal moment in Nehemiah's relentless pursuit of covenant fidelity in post-exilic Judah. Having directly addressed the Sabbath desecration by closing Jerusalem's gates, Nehemiah now institutes a more structured and religiously appropriate measure: entrusting the Sabbath gate-keeping duties to the Levites. This required their ritual purification, symbolizing their spiritual readiness and acknowledging the holiness of their task. By assigning this crucial role to the Levites, Nehemiah not only ensured strict Sabbath observance but also restored their rightful place and dignity in Israel's worship life. The second part of the verse, Nehemiah's recurring prayer for remembrance and mercy based on God's "steadfast love" (hesed), profoundly reveals his character. Despite his exceptional administrative prowess and unwavering zeal, he never relied on his own merit. Instead, his deep piety led him to acknowledge his utter dependence on God's boundless grace, offering a timeless example of a faithful servant who combines diligent action with humble reliance on divine mercy.