Nehemiah 13:21
New International Version
But I warned them and said, “Why do you spend the night by the wall? If you do this again, I will arrest you.” From that time on they no longer came on the Sabbath.

New Living Translation
But I spoke sharply to them and said, “What are you doing out here, camping around the wall? If you do this again, I will arrest you!” And that was the last time they came on the Sabbath.

English Standard Version
But I warned them and said to them, “Why do you lodge outside the wall? If you do so again, I will lay hands on you.” From that time on they did not come on the Sabbath.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Then I warned them, and said to them, “Why do you spend the night around the wall? If you do so again, I will lay hands on you!” From that time on they came no more on the Sabbath.

New American Standard Bible
Then I warned them and said to them, “Why do you spend the night in front of the wall? If you do so again, I will use force against you.” From that time on they did not come on the Sabbath.

NASB 1995
Then I warned them and said to them, “Why do you spend the night in front of the wall? If you do so again, I will use force against you.” From that time on they did not come on the sabbath.

NASB 1977
Then I warned them and said to them, “Why do you spend the night in front of the wall? If you do so again, I will use force against you.” From that time on they did not come on the sabbath.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then I warned them and said to them, “Why do you spend the night in front of the wall? If you do so again, I will send forth my hand against you.” From that time on they did not come on the sabbath.

Amplified Bible
But I warned them, saying, “Why do you spend the night by the wall? If you do so again, I will use force against you.” From that time on, they did not come on the Sabbath.

Christian Standard Bible
but I warned them, “Why are you camping in front of the wall? If you do it again, I’ll use force against you.” After that they did not come again on the Sabbath.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
but I warned them, “Why are you camping in front of the wall? If you do it again, I’ll use force against you.” After that they did not come again on the Sabbath.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
But I warned them, "If you do this again, I'll have you arrested." From then on, they did not come on the Sabbath.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I warned them. "Why are you spending the night in front of the wall?" I asked them. "If you do it again, I'll arrest you." After that, they no longer came on the day of worship.

Good News Translation
I warned them, "It's no use waiting out there for morning to come. If you try this again, I'll use force on you." From then on they did not come back on the Sabbath.

International Standard Version
I argued with them, "Why are you staying outside the wall? If you do this again, I'll arrest you." From that time on, they didn't come anymore on the Sabbath.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
But I warned them and said, "Why do you spend the night by the wall? If you repeat this, I will forcibly remove you!" From that time on they did not show up on the Sabbath.

New Heart English Bible
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 did not come on the Sabbath.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
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.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and I testify against them, and say to them, “Why are you lodging in front of the wall? If you repeat [it], I put forth a hand on you”; from that time they have not come in on the Sabbath.

Young's Literal Translation
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.

Smith's Literal Translation
And I shall testify against them, and say to them, Wherefore are ye lodging before the wall? if ye shall do it a second time I will stretch forth the hand against you From that time they came not upon the Sabbath.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And I contended with them, and I said to them: “Why are you remaining just beyond the wall? If you do this again, I will send hands upon you.” And so, from that time, they no longer came on the Sabbath.

New American Bible
but then I warned them: “Why do you spend the night alongside the wall? If you keep this up, I will beat you!” From that time on, they did not return on the sabbath.

New Revised Standard Version
But I warned them and said to them, “Why do you spend the night in front of the wall? If you do so again, I will lay hands on you.” From that time on they did not come on the sabbath.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then I testified against them and said to them, Why do you not enter by the gate of the wall while the sun is still high? Now if you refuse to obey this command, I will punish you. From that time forth they did not enter on the sabbath.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And I testified to them and I said to them: ‘Why are you not entering into the gates of the wall while the day lasts? If you reject this word, I will reach a hand upon you!’ And from that time they did not enter on the Sabbath.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then I forewarned 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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Then I testified against them, and said to them, Why do ye lodge in front of the wall? if ye do so again, I will stretch out my hand upon you. From that time they came not on the sabbath.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Sabbath Restored
20Once or twice, the merchants and those who sell all kinds of goods camped outside Jerusalem, 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.…

Cross References
Nehemiah 13:15-18
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. / Additionally, men of Tyre who lived there were importing fish and all kinds of merchandise and selling them on the Sabbath to the people of Judah in Jerusalem. / Then I rebuked the nobles of Judah and asked, “What is this evil you are doing—profaning the Sabbath day? ...

Jeremiah 17:21-22
This is what the LORD says: Take heed for yourselves; do not carry a load or bring it through the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. / You must not carry a load out of your houses or do any work on the Sabbath day, but you must keep the Sabbath day holy, just as I commanded your forefathers.

Exodus 20:8-10
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. / Six days you shall labor and do all your work, / but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, on which you must not do any work—neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant or livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates.

Isaiah 56:2
Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath without profaning it and keeps his hand from doing any evil.”

Ezekiel 20:12-13
I also gave them My Sabbaths as a sign between us, so that they would know that I am the LORD who sanctifies them. / Yet the house of Israel rebelled against Me in the wilderness. They did not follow My statutes and they rejected My ordinances—though the man who does these things will live by them—and they utterly profaned My Sabbaths. Then I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and put an end to them in the wilderness.

Amos 8:5
asking, “When will the New Moon be over, that we may sell grain? When will the Sabbath end, that we may market wheat? Let us reduce the ephah and increase the shekel; let us cheat with dishonest scales.

Deuteronomy 5:12-14
Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you. / Six days you shall labor and do all your work, / but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, on which you must not do any work—neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your ox or donkey or any of your livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates, so that your manservant and maidservant may rest as you do.

Leviticus 19:30
You must keep My Sabbaths and have reverence for My sanctuary. I am the LORD.

Matthew 12:1-8
At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them. / When the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.” / Jesus replied, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? ...

Mark 2:27-28
Then Jesus declared, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. / Therefore, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

Luke 6:5
Then Jesus declared, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

John 5:16-18
Now because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jews began to persecute Him. / But Jesus answered them, “To this very day My Father is at His work, and I too am working.” / Because of this, the Jews tried all the harder to kill Him. Not only was He breaking the Sabbath, but He was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.

Acts 13:42-44
As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people urged them to continue this message on the next Sabbath. / After the synagogue was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them and urged them to continue in the grace of God. / On the following Sabbath, nearly the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.

Romans 14:5-6
One person regards a certain day above the others, while someone else considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. / He who observes a special day does so to the Lord; he who eats does so to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.

Colossians 2:16-17
Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath. / These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body that casts it belongs to Christ.


Treasury of Scripture

Then I testified against them, and said to them, Why lodge you about the wall? if you do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath.

I testified.

Nehemiah 13:15
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.

about the wall.

Ezra 7:26
And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.

Romans 13:3,4
For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: …

1 Peter 2:14
Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

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Nehemiah 13
1. Upon the reading of the law, separation is made from the mixed multitude.
4. Nehemiah, at his return, causes the chambers to be cleansed.
10. He reforms the offices in the house of God;
15. the violation of the Sabbath;
23. and the marriages with the strange wives.














But I warned them
The phrase "But I warned them" indicates a direct and assertive action taken by Nehemiah. The Hebrew root for "warned" is "עָנַף" (anaph), which conveys a sense of expressing anger or displeasure. Nehemiah's leadership is characterized by his willingness to confront wrongdoing directly. This reflects a biblical principle of accountability and the importance of addressing sin within the community. Nehemiah's warning is not just a verbal reprimand but a call to repentance and obedience to God's law.

Why are you spending the night by the wall?
This question highlights the behavior of merchants who were attempting to sell goods on the Sabbath by staying near the city walls. The Hebrew context suggests a deliberate attempt to circumvent the Sabbath restrictions. Nehemiah's question is rhetorical, emphasizing the absurdity and impropriety of their actions. It serves as a reminder of the sanctity of the Sabbath, a day set apart for rest and worship, as commanded in Exodus 20:8-11. The wall, a symbol of protection and separation, is being misused, and Nehemiah seeks to restore its intended purpose.

If you do it again, I will lay hands on you
The phrase "I will lay hands on you" is a strong expression of Nehemiah's resolve to enforce the Sabbath observance. The Hebrew verb "שָׁלַח" (shalach) means to send or stretch out, often implying a forceful action. Nehemiah's commitment to uphold God's law is unwavering, and he is prepared to take physical action if necessary. This reflects the seriousness with which the Sabbath was regarded and the lengths to which leaders must sometimes go to ensure obedience to God's commands.

From that time on, they did not return on the Sabbath
This statement indicates the effectiveness of Nehemiah's intervention. The Hebrew phrase suggests a permanent change in behavior, highlighting the impact of godly leadership and decisive action. The Sabbath, a covenant sign between God and Israel, is restored to its rightful place in the community's life. Nehemiah's success in this matter serves as an inspiration for believers to stand firm in their convictions and to trust that God will honor their efforts to uphold His commandments.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
but I warned them,
וָאָעִ֣ידָה (wā·’ā·‘î·ḏāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5749: To duplicate, repeat, to protest, testify, to encompass, restore

“Why
מַדּ֜וּעַ (mad·dū·a‘)
Interrogative
Strong's 4069: Why? for what reason?

are you
אַתֶּ֤ם (’at·tem)
Pronoun - second person masculine plural
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

camping
לֵנִים֙ (lê·nîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3885: To stop, to stay permanently, to be obstinate

in front of
נֶ֣גֶד (ne·ḡeḏ)
Preposition
Strong's 5048: A front, part opposite, a counterpart, mate, over against, before

the wall?
הַחוֹמָ֔ה (ha·ḥō·w·māh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2346: A wall of protection

If
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

you do it again,
תִּשְׁנ֕וּ (tiš·nū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 8138: To fold, duplicate, to transmute

I will lay hands
יָ֖ד (yāḏ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

on you.”
אֶשְׁלַ֣ח (’eš·laḥ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

From
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

that
הַהִ֔יא (ha·hî)
Article | Pronoun - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

time on,
הָעֵ֣ת (hā·‘êṯ)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 6256: Time, now, when

they did not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

return
בָ֖אוּ (ḇā·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

on the Sabbath.
בַּשַּׁבָּֽת׃ (baš·šab·bāṯ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 7676: Intermission, the Sabbath


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OT History: Nehemiah 13:21 Then I testified against them and said (Neh Ne)
Nehemiah 13:20
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