Keraia
Nehemiah 13

Nehemiah 13:19

The Sabbath Restored · Nehemiah 13:15–22
Read Nehemiah 13

Translations

Modern
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.
Traditional
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.
Literal
And it came to pass when the gates of Jerusalem were becoming dark before the face of the Sabbath, that I commanded the gates to be shut, and I said that they shall not open them until after the Sabbath. And some from my servants I made stand at the gates, that there should not be brought in loads carried on the day of the Sabbath.
Latin
Factum est autem, cum quievissent portæ Jerusalem in die sabbati, dixi: et clauserunt januas, et præcepi ut non aperirent eas usque post sabbatum: et de pueris meis constitui super portas, ut nullus inferret onus in die sabbati.

Original

Hebrew
English
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.

Notes

Nehemiah 13:19

The Sabbath starts at sunset on Friday evening and ends at sunset on Saturday evening.

Nehemiah 13:15–31

Nehemiah made two more changes to bring back correct Sabbath observance (Nehemiah 13:15–22) and correct marriage practices (13:23–31). These two sections follow a similar pattern: Nehemiah found a problem, fixed it, and then asked God for a blessing.

Theme notes and profiles

Nehemiah Dealing with Conflict

Parallels

Jeremiah 17:19–27

People

Sabbath: The seventh day of the week, set apart for rest and worship

Places

Jerusalem: The capital of Israel, a holy city for three religions

Glossary

Book of Nehemiah Eliashib Malachi, Book of Merchant Moab, Moabites Nehemiah (Person) Postexilic Period Sabbath

Topics

Cities: Entered Through Gates Gates of Cities: Shut at Night-Fall Gates: Closed on the Sabbath Gates: Guards At Harvest: Sabbath Desecrated In Religious Zeal: Nehemiah Sabbath: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To The Sabbath: No Burdens to be Carried On Traffic: Suspended on the Sabbath Day