Nehemiah 13:17 - Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said to them, “What evil thing is this that you do, and profane the Sabbath day?
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What does "Nehemiah 13:17" mean?
This verse from Nehemiah 13:17 describes Nehemiah's righteous anger and action against the nobles of Judah for profaning the Sabbath day. Let's break it down:
"Then I contended with the nobles of Judah": Nehemiah, the governor of Judah, confronted the leaders (nobles) of the community. "Contended" suggests he argued strongly with them, likely rebuking them and trying to persuade them to change their behavior. It wasn't a polite request, but a firm challenge.
"and said to them, 'What evil thing is this that you do, and profane the Sabbath day?'": Here, Nehemiah clearly states his objection.
He accuses them of doing an "evil thing." He considers their action morally wrong and against God's law.
He accuses them of "profaning the Sabbath day." The Sabbath was a holy day of rest, ordained by God. "Profaning" means treating it as common or secular, defiling its sacredness. In this context, they were likely conducting business and trade on the Sabbath, violating its purpose as a day for worship and rest.
In essence, the verse captures Nehemiah's disapproval and condemnation of the nobles' behavior because they were undermining the sanctity of the Sabbath. He sees their actions as a direct violation of God's commands and harmful to the spiritual well-being of the community.
Contextual Significance:
This verse is part of a larger narrative where Nehemiah is working to reform the religious practices of the returned exiles. He's trying to restore their commitment to God's law. The Sabbath was a key element of that law, and its proper observance was essential for maintaining their covenant relationship with God. Nehemiah saw the violation of the Sabbath as a serious threat to their spiritual integrity.
Nehemiah 13:17 - Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said to them, “What evil thing is this that you do, and profane the Sabbath day?
What does "Nehemiah 13:17" mean?
This verse from Nehemiah 13:17 describes Nehemiah's righteous anger and action against the nobles of Judah for profaning the Sabbath day. Let's break it down:
"Then I contended with the nobles of Judah": Nehemiah, the governor of Judah, confronted the leaders (nobles) of the community. "Contended" suggests he argued strongly with them, likely rebuking them and trying to persuade them to change their behavior. It wasn't a polite request, but a firm challenge.
"and said to them, 'What evil thing is this that you do, and profane the Sabbath day?'": Here, Nehemiah clearly states his objection.
He accuses them of doing an "evil thing." He considers their action morally wrong and against God's law.
He accuses them of "profaning the Sabbath day." The Sabbath was a holy day of rest, ordained by God. "Profaning" means treating it as common or secular, defiling its sacredness. In this context, they were likely conducting business and trade on the Sabbath, violating its purpose as a day for worship and rest.
In essence, the verse captures Nehemiah's disapproval and condemnation of the nobles' behavior because they were undermining the sanctity of the Sabbath. He sees their actions as a direct violation of God's commands and harmful to the spiritual well-being of the community.
Contextual Significance:
This verse is part of a larger narrative where Nehemiah is working to reform the religious practices of the returned exiles. He's trying to restore their commitment to God's law. The Sabbath was a key element of that law, and its proper observance was essential for maintaining their covenant relationship with God. Nehemiah saw the violation of the Sabbath as a serious threat to their spiritual integrity.