Nehemiah 13:19

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.

And it came to pass, that when the gates {H8179} of Jerusalem {H3389} began to be dark {H6751} before {H6440} the sabbath {H7676}, I commanded {H559} that the gates {H1817} should be shut {H5462}, and charged {H559} that they should not be opened {H6605} till after {H310} the sabbath {H7676}: and some of my servants {H5288} set {H5975} I at the gates {H8179}, that there should no burden {H4853} be brought in {H935} on the sabbath {H7676} day {H3117}.

So when the gates of Yerushalayim began to grow dark before Shabbat, I ordered that the doors be shut; and I ordered that they not be reopened until after Shabbat. I put some of my servants in charge of the gates, to see to it that no loads be brought in on Shabbat.

When the evening shadows began to fall on the gates of Jerusalem, just before the Sabbath, I ordered that the gates be shut and not opened until after the Sabbath. I posted some of my servants at the gates so that no load could enter on the Sabbath day.

And it came to pass that, when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the doors should be shut, and commanded that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I over the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day.

Commentary

Nehemiah 13:19 describes Governor Nehemiah's resolute actions to enforce proper Sabbath observance in Jerusalem, preventing commercial activity from desecrating the holy day.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse comes from the final chapter of the book of Nehemiah, detailing his second term as governor of Jerusalem. After rebuilding the city walls and establishing initial reforms, Nehemiah returned to Persia. Upon his subsequent visit, he discovered that many of the reforms had lapsed, and the people had fallen back into spiritual negligence. One significant area of compromise was the widespread desecration of the Sabbath, with merchants and traders bringing goods into Jerusalem's gates on the holy day. This was a direct violation of God's law, given to Israel to set them apart as a holy nation.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Sanctity of the Sabbath: Nehemiah's actions underscore the divine command for the Sabbath to be a day of rest and worship, set apart for God. He saw the bringing in of "burdens" (merchandise) as a direct affront to this holiness, preventing the people from truly honoring the day. The importance of the Sabbath is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament, from the Fourth Commandment in Exodus 20:8 to prophetic warnings against its desecration, such as in Jeremiah 17:21-22.
  • Decisive Leadership and Reform: Nehemiah did not merely lament the problem; he took immediate and decisive action. He personally commanded the gates to be shut before the Sabbath began and assigned his own servants to guard them, ensuring no trade could occur. This highlights his unwavering commitment to upholding God's law and his willingness to enforce righteous standards, even when unpopular or inconvenient.
  • Preventing Desecration: The "burden" refers to goods being transported for commercial purposes, indicating active trade and commerce. Nehemiah's aim was to protect the spiritual integrity of Jerusalem and its inhabitants from the pervasive influence of materialism and disregard for God's ordinances. The people had previously covenanted to uphold the Sabbath, as recorded in Nehemiah 10:31, making their current laxity a breach of their solemn promise.

Linguistic Insights

  • The word "Sabbath" comes from the Hebrew Shabbat (ืฉึทืื‘ึธึผืช), meaning "rest" or "cessation." It signifies a day of ceasing from labor and commercial activity to focus on God and spiritual renewal.
  • The term "burden" in this context is the Hebrew massa (ืžึทืฉึธึผื‚ื), which here specifically refers to goods or merchandise being carried, emphasizing the commercial nature of the activity Nehemiah sought to stop.

Practical Application

While Christians are not under the Mosaic Law in the same way as ancient Israel, the principles behind Nehemiah's actions remain highly relevant:

  • Prioritizing Spiritual Rest: The spirit of the Sabbath encourages setting aside dedicated time for rest, spiritual reflection, and worship, protecting it from the demands of work and commerce. This fosters a deeper relationship with God and personal renewal.
  • Courageous Leadership: Leaders, whether in the home, church, or community, are called to uphold God's standards with integrity and courage, even when it requires difficult decisions or goes against popular opinion.
  • Guarding Against Compromise: This verse serves as a reminder to be vigilant against subtle forms of spiritual compromise that can creep into our lives or communities, diluting our commitment to God's ways. It encourages setting clear boundaries to protect our spiritual disciplines and values.
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Cross-References

  • Leviticus 23:32

    It [shall be] unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth [day] of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath.

  • Exodus 31:14

    Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it [is] holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth [any] work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.

  • Exodus 31:17

    It [is] a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for [in] six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.

  • Jeremiah 17:19

    ยถ Thus said the LORD unto me; Go and stand in the gate of the children of the people, whereby the kings of Judah come in, and by the which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem;

  • Jeremiah 17:22

    Neither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the sabbath day, neither do ye any work, but hallow ye the sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers.

  • Nehemiah 7:3

    And I said unto them, Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun be hot; and while they stand by, let them shut the doors, and bar [them]: and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, every one in his watch, and every one [to be] over against his house.

  • Leviticus 23:22

    And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest: thou shalt leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger: I [am] the LORD your God.
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