Nehemiah 13:20

Translation
King James Version
So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice.
Ask
KJV (with Strong's)
So the merchants H7402 and sellers H4376 of all kind of ware H4465 lodged H3885 without H2351 Jerusalem H3389 once H6471 or twice H8147.
Ask
Complete Jewish Bible
The merchants and sellers of all kinds of goods spent the night outside Yerushalayim once or twice,
Ask
Berean Standard Bible
Once or twice, the merchants and those who sell all kinds of goods camped outside Jerusalem,
Ask
American Standard Version
So the merchants and sellers of all kind of wares lodged without Jerusalem once or twice.
Ask
World English Bible Messianic
So the merchants and sellers of all kinds of wares lodged outside of Jerusalem once or twice.
Ask
Geneva Bible (1599)
So the chapmen and marchants of al marchandise remained once or twise all night without Ierusalem.
Ask
Young's Literal Translation
And they lodge--the merchants and sellers of all ware--at the outside of Jerusalem, once or twice,
Ask
See on the biblical-era map
Nehemiah’s Final Reforms
Nehemiah’s Final Reforms View full PDF

Map © Biblica Open Bible Maps · CC BY-SA 4.0

In the KJVVerse 12,692 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Nehemiah 13:20 vividly portrays the immediate and persistent challenge Nehemiah encountered in his rigorous enforcement of Sabbath observance in post-exilic Jerusalem. Following his decisive command to close the city gates during the holy day, this verse reveals the merchants' initial, repeated attempts to circumvent the new regulations by establishing a temporary camp just outside the city walls. This strategic positioning allowed them to remain poised to resume their commercial activities at the earliest possible moment, thereby underscoring the profound tension between spiritual discipline and deeply ingrained economic habits, and highlighting the practical difficulties inherent in restoring and maintaining covenant faithfulness within a community prone to compromise.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Nehemiah 13 marks a pivotal moment in the book, detailing Nehemiah's return to Jerusalem after a significant period of absence, likely the twelve years mentioned in Nehemiah 5:14. Upon his return, Nehemiah discovers that many of the vital reforms he had previously instituted—concerning the purity of the temple, the proper collection of tithes, and especially the sanctity of the Sabbath—had fallen into severe disarray. Specifically, Nehemiah 13:15-18 provides a detailed account of the widespread profanation of the Sabbath, with people engaging in agricultural labor, wine production, and various commercial transactions. Nehemiah's response is swift and uncompromising: he confronts the nobles of Judah and takes direct, authoritative action, commanding that the city gates be shut from Friday evening until the Sabbath concluded, and appointing his own trusted servants to guard them (Nehemiah 13:19). Verse 20 then presents the immediate, direct consequence of these stringent measures, revealing the merchants' initial, defiant strategy to bypass the restrictions, which in turn sets the stage for Nehemiah's subsequent, even more forceful and direct actions described in Nehemiah 13:21. This sequence highlights Nehemiah's unwavering commitment to upholding God's law and the persistent challenges he faced in doing so.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: The post-exilic period was a critical era for the re-establishment of Jewish identity and the reaffirmation of their covenant relationship with God. The Sabbath, as explicitly commanded in the Decalogue (Exodus 20:8-11) and designated as a perpetual sign of the covenant between God and Israel (Exodus 31:13), held immense theological, social, and cultural significance. It served as a fundamental distinction between Israel and the surrounding pagan nations. However, economic pressures, the desire for personal gain, and deeply ingrained habits frequently led to its desecration, a problem that had plagued Israel even in pre-exilic times, as evidenced by prophetic warnings from figures like Jeremiah (Jeremiah 17:21-27). Jerusalem's city gates were not merely points of entry and exit but vibrant, bustling commercial centers where goods were bought, sold, and traded. Merchants, comprising both Israelites and foreign traders, would regularly bring their diverse wares to these gates. Nehemiah, as the Persian-appointed governor, wielded significant civil and religious authority, enabling him to enforce such laws. His actions in this chapter reflect a profound conviction that the spiritual health and integrity of the community were inextricably linked to its faithful adherence to God's commandments, a lesson painfully learned through the devastating experience of the Babylonian exile, which was widely understood as a consequence of national disobedience.
  • Key Themes: This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes central to the book of Nehemiah and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the Enforcement of God's Law and the unwavering commitment required to uphold divine standards, even in the face of significant popular or economic opposition. Nehemiah's zealous dedication to the sanctity of the Sabbath reflects his overarching mission to restore Israel's covenant relationship with God, a primary objective throughout his governorship, culminating in the solemn covenant renewal described in Nehemiah 9-10. Secondly, the merchants' actions reveal the persistent Resistance to Reform and the pervasive human tendency to prioritize personal gain or convenience over spiritual obedience. Their subtle but determined effort to find "loopholes" in God's law is a recurring challenge in Israel's history, demonstrating the inherent struggle between flesh and spirit. Finally, the verse powerfully showcases Nehemiah's Leadership and Discipline, characterized by his practical, hands-on approach to governance and his resolute refusal to compromise on matters of divine command. His vigilance in guarding the gates is a testament to his holistic commitment to rebuilding not just the physical walls of Jerusalem but also the spiritual integrity and moral fabric of the community, mirroring his dedication to the broader work of restoration found in chapters like Nehemiah 4.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • Merchants (Hebrew, râkal', H7402): From the root H7402, this term refers to those who travel for trading, often dealing in spices or other valuable commodities. In the context of Jerusalem, these were individuals engaged in buying and selling goods, both local vendors and foreign traders. Their designation here emphasizes the commercial activity that was directly challenging the Sabbath's sanctity. The presence of such traders, even outside the city, underscores the pervasive economic forces at play and the direct opposition they posed to Nehemiah's spiritual reforms.
  • Lodged (Hebrew, lûwn', H3885): Derived from H3885, this verb primarily means "to stop (usually overnight)" or "to encamp." By implication, it can also mean "to stay permanently" or, in a negative sense, "to be obstinate" or "to complain." In this verse, it indicates a deliberate act of setting up a temporary camp and staying overnight. The merchants were not merely passing by or caught unawares; they intentionally positioned themselves to be ready for business immediately after the Sabbath, signifying a calculated defiance and persistent intent to circumvent the law.
  • Once or twice (Hebrew, paʻam' and shᵉnayim', H6471): This idiomatic phrase, combining H6471 ("a stroke," "time") and H8147 ("two"), signifies "more than once," "repeatedly," or "on several occasions." It is not limited to precisely two occurrences but conveys a sense of persistence, recurrence, and stubbornness. This crucial detail highlights that the merchants' attempt to bypass the Sabbath regulations was not an isolated incident but a sustained effort, demonstrating their determination to continue their commerce despite Nehemiah's initial measures, thereby necessitating further, more stringent action from the governor.

Verse Breakdown

  • "So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware": This opening clause precisely identifies the subjects of the action: individuals whose livelihood was intrinsically tied to commerce. The comprehensive phrase "all kind of ware" underscores the diverse nature of the goods being traded, highlighting the widespread commercial activity that was actively profaning the Sabbath. These individuals collectively represent the powerful economic forces and entrenched personal interests that stood in direct conflict with Nehemiah's divinely inspired spiritual reforms.
  • "lodged without Jerusalem": This phrase describes their immediate and strategic response to the gates being closed. Unable to enter the city to conduct their business on the Sabbath, they chose to encamp just outside the city walls. This physical location emphasizes their exclusion from the sacred space of the Sabbath-observing city. Yet, their close proximity to the city reveals their clear intent to resume trade as soon as the Sabbath concluded, signaling a persistent resistance to the spirit of the law, even if they were technically adhering to its letter by not entering.
  • "once or twice": This crucial phrase conveys the frequency and persistence of their actions. It was not a singular, isolated attempt to test the new regulations but a repeated, deliberate strategy. This detail highlights the stubbornness and tenacity of the merchants and underscores the deep-seated nature of the problem. It demonstrates that Nehemiah's initial measure, while effective in preventing entry into the city, did not immediately deter the pervasive commercial spirit that relentlessly sought to exploit any perceived loophole in the divine command.

Literary Devices

Nehemiah 13:20 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. A clear Conflict is immediately evident, pitting Nehemiah's divinely mandated reforms and his zeal for God's law against the merchants' worldly economic pursuits and their ingrained habits. The merchants' act of lodging outside the city represents their continued defiance, thereby establishing a tangible struggle for authority and spiritual integrity within the community. There is an element of Irony in their actions: while physically excluded from the city's sacred space during the Sabbath, they remain metaphorically "outside" the spirit of the Sabbath, attempting to circumvent the very holiness and rest that Nehemiah seeks to restore. The phrase "once or twice" functions as Repetition, emphasizing the persistent nature of the challenge and the merchants' stubbornness and determination. This repetition underscores the necessity of Nehemiah's continued vigilance and his subsequent, more drastic measures. Furthermore, the Symbolism of the city walls and gates is highly significant; they are not merely physical barriers but profound boundaries of holiness, designed to separate the sacred space and time of Jerusalem's Sabbath observance from the secular, profit-driven pursuits of commerce.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Nehemiah 13:20 serves as a powerful and enduring reminder of the perpetual tension between spiritual commitment and the pervasive pressures of the world. The merchants' persistent attempts to conduct business, even if just outside the city walls, vividly illustrate the human tendency to prioritize immediate economic gain and personal convenience over wholehearted obedience to God's commands. This struggle is not unique to post-exilic Jerusalem but echoes throughout biblical history, from the initial temptation in Eden to the stern warnings against materialism and avarice in the New Testament. The Sabbath, as a divine institution, was fundamentally designed to foster deep trust in God's provision and to cultivate a rhythm of rest, worship, and recognition of God's ultimate sovereignty over all time and resources. Its desecration, therefore, was not merely a breach of a legalistic rule but a profound act of distrust in God and a failure to acknowledge His rightful place as the provider and sustainer of life. Nehemiah's unwavering zeal in this context highlights the critical importance of establishing and maintaining clear boundaries to protect spiritual disciplines and the sanctity of God's commands, recognizing that true and lasting prosperity ultimately stems from faithfulness, not from illicit or compromised gain.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Nehemiah 13:20 offers a profound and timeless lesson for believers today, highlighting the ongoing and often subtle battle between our spiritual commitments and the pervasive pressures of the world around us. Just as the merchants sought to find "loopholes" around Nehemiah's Sabbath regulations, we too are frequently tempted to compromise our core values, spiritual disciplines, or ethical standards for the sake of convenience, financial gain, social acceptance, or even just to avoid perceived inconvenience. This verse challenges us to engage in honest self-examination, asking where we might be metaphorically "lodging outside Jerusalem"—that is, attempting to engage in activities or maintain attitudes that, while perhaps not overtly sinful, subtly undermine our devotion, erode our spiritual vitality, or blur the lines of our unwavering commitment to God. It calls us to a radical re-evaluation of our priorities, prompting us to ask whether we truly trust God to provide for us as we faithfully honor His commands, or if we succumb to the anxieties and pressures that drive us to compromise. The narrative encourages steadfastness and courage in upholding biblical principles, even when it is inconvenient, unpopular, or goes directly against prevailing cultural norms, reminding us that true freedom, abundant life, and lasting blessing ultimately come from wholehearted and uncompromising obedience to God.

Questions for Reflection

  • In what specific areas of my life do "economic pressures" or societal expectations tempt me to compromise my spiritual principles or commitments?
  • What "boundaries" or personal disciplines do I need to establish or reinforce to protect my time for rest, worship, and genuine spiritual growth?
  • How might I, like the merchants, be subtly seeking "loopholes" in my commitment to God's commands, rather than embracing them fully and joyfully?
  • What practical steps can I take this week to cultivate a deeper reverence for God's commands and intentionally prioritize His will above worldly pursuits and anxieties?

FAQ

Why were merchants lodging outside the city?

Answer: The merchants were lodging outside Jerusalem because Nehemiah, acting as the Persian-appointed governor, had issued a strict command that the city gates be shut before the Sabbath began and remain closed until it concluded (Nehemiah 13:19). This decisive action was taken to prevent any commercial activity from profaning the holy day within the city walls. Unable to enter and conduct their business inside Jerusalem, the merchants strategically chose to encamp just beyond the walls. Their intent was to be immediately available to conduct business as soon as the Sabbath ended, thereby attempting to circumvent the spirit of the law, if not its precise letter, by maintaining their commercial presence at the city's doorstep.

What does "once or twice" imply about the merchants' actions?

Answer: The phrase "once or twice" (Hebrew: paʻam eḥāt ûšəttayim) is an idiomatic expression in Hebrew, meaning "repeatedly," "on several occasions," or "again and again," rather than a literal count of precisely two times. It implies that the merchants' attempt to circumvent the Sabbath regulations by camping outside the city was not a singular, isolated event but a persistent and recurring challenge to Nehemiah's authority and to the sanctity of the Sabbath. This persistence underscored the deep-seated nature of the problem, revealing the strong commercial interests and the ingrained habits that resisted the reforms. Their repeated defiance ultimately necessitated Nehemiah's subsequent, even more forceful intervention, as described in Nehemiah 13:21.

How does this event relate to the broader theme of Sabbath observance?

Answer: This event powerfully highlights the practical difficulties and the inherent human resistance encountered when attempting to enforce God's law, specifically the commandment to keep the Sabbath holy (Exodus 20:8). It vividly demonstrates the perpetual tension between divine command and human economic desires. The merchants' actions reveal a common human tendency to prioritize immediate profit and personal convenience over piety and spiritual discipline, seeking ways to bypass or dilute the requirements of God's law. Nehemiah's resolute response, coupled with the merchants' persistence, underscores the ongoing struggle for God's people to live in full, uncompromising obedience to His covenant. It emphasizes that genuine Sabbath observance requires a heart truly committed to resting in God's provision and honoring His divine design for time, rather than merely adhering to external rules or seeking loopholes.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Nehemiah's zealous enforcement of the Sabbath, as strikingly depicted in his confrontation with the persistent merchants, serves as a powerful Old Testament foreshadowing of the ultimate fulfillment of God's law and the true Sabbath rest found exclusively in Jesus Christ. While Nehemiah's actions were undeniably necessary to restore external order and remind the post-exilic community of their covenant obligations, they ultimately pointed to a deeper spiritual reality and a more profound rest that only Christ could fully establish. Jesus, as the Lord of the Sabbath, did not abolish the Sabbath but rather redefined and fulfilled its true purpose, profoundly declaring that "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath" (Mark 2:27). His dramatic cleansing of the temple, expelling those who had turned God's sacred house into a "den of robbers" (Matthew 21:12-13), powerfully echoes Nehemiah's zeal for the sanctity of sacred space and time, yet with an infinitely greater authority and a penetrating focus on spiritual purity and genuine worship. Ultimately, the restless striving of the merchants to gain profit even on the holy day finds its divine antidote in the profound spiritual rest offered by Christ. He extends an open invitation to all who are weary and burdened by their own efforts and the demands of the world to come to Him and find true rest for their souls (Matthew 11:28-30). The true Sabbath rest, therefore, is not merely a day of cessation from physical labor but a spiritual reality found in trusting Christ's finished work on the cross, where we cease from our own futile efforts to earn righteousness and enter into God's gracious provision by faith (Hebrews 4:9-10). In Christ, the law is not just externally enforced but is miraculously written on the heart, empowering believers to live lives of joyful obedience motivated by grace, rather than by mere rules or fear of punishment (Jeremiah 31:33, Hebrews 8:10).

Copy as

Commentary on Nehemiah 13 verses 15–22

I. II. Main points1. 2. Sub-points(1.) (2.) Details

Here is another instance of that blessed reformation in which Nehemiah was so active. He revived sabbath-sanctification, and maintained the authority of the fourth commandment; and a very good deed this was for the house of God and the offices thereof, for, where holy time is over-looked and made nothing of, it is not strange if all holy duties be neglected. Here is,

I. A remonstrance of the abuse. The law of the sabbath was very strict and much insisted one, and with good reason, for religion is never in the throne while sabbaths are trodden under foot. But Nehemiah discovered even in Judah, among those to whom sabbaths were given for a sign, this law wretchedly violated. His own eyes were his informers. Magistrates who are in care to discharge their duty aright will as much as may be see with their own eyes, and accomplish a diligent search to find out that which is evil. To his great grief it appeared that there was a general profanation of the sabbath, that holy day, even in Jerusalem, that holy city, which was so lately dedicated to God. 1. The husbandmen trod their wine-presses and brought home their corn on that day (Neh 13:15), through there was an express command that in earing-time, and in harvest-time, they should rest on the sabbaths (Exo 34:21), because then they might be tempted to take a greater liberty, and to fancy that God would indulge them in it. 2. The carriers loaded their asses with all manner of burdens, and made no scruple of it, though there was a particular proviso in the law for the cattle resting (Deu 5:14) and that they should bear no burden on the sabbath day, Jer 17:21. 3. The hawkers, and pedlars, and petty chapmen, that were men of Tyre, that famous trading city, sold all manner of wares on the sabbath day (Neh 13:16); and the children of Judah and Jerusalem had so little grace as to buy of them, and so encourage them in making our Father's day a day of merchandise, contrary to the law of the fourth commandment, which forbids the doing any manner of work. No wonder there was a general decay of religion and corruption of manners among this people when they forsook the sanctuary and profaned the sabbath.

II. The reformation of it. Those that are jealous for the honour of God cannot bear to see his sabbath profaned. Observe in what method this good man proceeded in his zeal for the sabbath.

1.He testified against those who profaned it, Neh 13:15, and again Neh 13:21. He not only expressed his own dislike of it, but endeavoured to convince them that it was a great sin, and showed them the testimony of the word of God against it. He would not punish it till he had laid open the evil of it.

2.He reasoned with the rulers concerning it, took the nobles of Judah to task, and contended with them, Neh 13:17. The greatest of men are not too high to be told of their faults by those whose proper office it is to reprove them; nay, great men should be, as here, contended with in the first place, because of the influence they have upon others.

(1.)He charges them with it: You do it. They did not carry corn, nor sell fish, but, [1.] They connived at those that did, and did not use their power to restrain them, and so made themselves guilty, as those magistrates do who bear the sword in vain. [2.] They set a bad example in other things. If the nobles allowed themselves in sports and recreations, in idle visits and idle talk, on the sabbath day, the men of business, both in city and country, would profane it by their worldly employments, as more justifiable. We must be responsible for the sins which others are led to commit by our example.

(2.)He charges it upon them as an evil thing, for so it is, proceeding from a great contempt of God and our own souls.

(3.)He reasons the case with them (Neh 13:18), and shows them that sabbath breaking was one of the sins for which God had brought judgments upon them, and that if they did not take warning, but returned to the same sins again, they had reason to expect further judgments: You bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath. Thus Ezra concluded, If we again break thy commandments, wilt not thou be angry with us till thou hast consumed us? Ezr 9:14.

3.He took care to prevent the profanation of the sabbath, as one that aimed only at reformation. If he could reform them, he would not punish them, and, if he should punish them, it was but that he might reform them. This is an example to magistrates to be heirs of restraint, and prudently to use the bit and bridle, that there may be no occasion for the lash. (1.) He ordered the gates of Jerusalem to be kept shut from the evening before the sabbath to the morning after, and set his own servants (whose care, courage and honesty, he could confide in) to watch them, that no burdens should be brought in on the sabbath day, nor late the night before, nor early in the morning after, lest sabbath time should be encroached upon, Neh 13:19. Those that came in to worship in the courts of the temple were no doubt admitted to pass and repass, but none that came to sell goods; they were forced to lodge without the city (Neh 13:20), where no doubt they wished the sabbath were gone, that they might sell corn. (2.) He threatened those who came with goods to the gates, who pressed hard for entrance, telling them that, if they came again, he would certainly lay hands on them (Neh 13:21), and this deterred them from coming any more. Note, If reformers will but put on resolution, more may be done towards the breaking of bad customs than they can imagine. Vice connived at is indeed a daring thing, and will bid defiance to counsel and reproof; but it may be made cowardly, and will be so when magistrates make themselves a terror to it. The king that sits on the throne of judgment scatters away all evil with his eyes. (3.) He charged the Levites to take care about the due sanctifying of the sabbath, that they should cleanse themselves in the first place, and so give a good example to the people, and that they should some of them come and keep the gates, Neh 13:22. Because he and his servants must shortly return to court, he would leave this charge with some that might abide by it, that not only when he was present, but in his absence, the sabbath might be sanctified. Then there is likely to be a reformation, in this and other respects, when magistrates and ministers join their forces. The courage, zeal, and prudence of Nehemiah in this matter, are here recorded for our imitation; and we have reason to think that the cure he wrought was lasting; for, in our Saviour's time, we find the Jews in the other extreme, over-scrupulous in the ceremonial part of sabbath-sanctification.

4.He concludes this passage with a prayer (Neh 13:22), in which observe, (1.) The petitions: Remember me (as the thief on the cross, Lord, remember me); that is enough. God's thoughts to us ward are very precious, Psa 40:5. He adds, Spare me. So far is he from thinking that what he had done did properly merit a reward in strict justice that he cries earnestly to God to spare him, as Jeremiah (Jer 15:15), Take me not away in thy long-suffering (Jer 10:24), Correct me not in anger, and (Jer 17:17), Be not a terror to me. Note, The best saints, even when they do the best actions, stand in need of sparing mercy; for there is not a just man that doeth good and sinneth not. (2.) The plea: According to the greatness (or multitude) of thy mercies. Note, God's mercy is what we must depend upon, and not any merit of our own, when we appear before God.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 15–22. Public domain.
Copy as
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
Copy as

Continue studying Nehemiah 13:20 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.

Read & Compare

Commentaries

Original Language & Research

Sermons, Hymns & Audio

TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.