Nehemiah 13:19 - 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 until after the Sabbath. I set some of my servants over the gates, so that no burden should be brought in on the Sabbath day.
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What does "Nehemiah 13:19" mean?
This verse from Nehemiah 13:19 describes Nehemiah's decisive action to enforce the observance of the Sabbath in Jerusalem. Let's break down the meaning:
"It came to pass that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the Sabbath..." This sets the scene. It indicates that as evening approached on Friday (the day before the Sabbath), when it started to get dark, Nehemiah took action. The Sabbath began at sunset.
"...I commanded that the doors should be shut, and commanded that they should not be opened until after the Sabbath." Nehemiah ordered the city gates to be closed before the Sabbath started and to remain closed throughout the Sabbath day. This was to prevent any commercial activity or transportation of goods into the city during the holy day.
"...I set some of my servants over the gates, so that no burden should be brought in on the Sabbath day." To ensure his command was followed, Nehemiah placed guards (his own servants) at the gates. Their job was to prevent anyone from bringing in "burdens" - loads of goods, merchandise, or anything intended for trade or work - on the Sabbath. This action was to prevent any desecration of the Sabbath by commercial activities.
In essence, the verse describes Nehemiah's strict enforcement of Sabbath observance in Jerusalem by:
Closing the city gates before the Sabbath began.
Keeping the gates closed throughout the Sabbath.
Placing guards to prevent any commercial traffic into the city on the Sabbath.
Why was this important?
Nehemiah was deeply concerned with the spiritual and moral well-being of the people of Jerusalem. He believed that proper observance of the Sabbath was a crucial aspect of their covenant with God. By preventing commerce and labor on the Sabbath, he aimed to ensure that the people would have a day dedicated to rest, worship, and spiritual reflection, as commanded in the Law.
The context of Nehemiah 13 shows that Nehemiah was dealing with people who were lax in their religious practices, including profaning the Sabbath. He saw this as a violation of God's law and a threat to the spiritual health of the community. His actions were meant to correct this behavior and restore the proper respect for God's commands.
Nehemiah 13:19 - 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 until after the Sabbath. I set some of my servants over the gates, so that no burden should be brought in on the Sabbath day.
What does "Nehemiah 13:19" mean?
This verse from Nehemiah 13:19 describes Nehemiah's decisive action to enforce the observance of the Sabbath in Jerusalem. Let's break down the meaning:
"It came to pass that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the Sabbath..." This sets the scene. It indicates that as evening approached on Friday (the day before the Sabbath), when it started to get dark, Nehemiah took action. The Sabbath began at sunset.
"...I commanded that the doors should be shut, and commanded that they should not be opened until after the Sabbath." Nehemiah ordered the city gates to be closed before the Sabbath started and to remain closed throughout the Sabbath day. This was to prevent any commercial activity or transportation of goods into the city during the holy day.
"...I set some of my servants over the gates, so that no burden should be brought in on the Sabbath day." To ensure his command was followed, Nehemiah placed guards (his own servants) at the gates. Their job was to prevent anyone from bringing in "burdens" - loads of goods, merchandise, or anything intended for trade or work - on the Sabbath. This action was to prevent any desecration of the Sabbath by commercial activities.
In essence, the verse describes Nehemiah's strict enforcement of Sabbath observance in Jerusalem by:
Closing the city gates before the Sabbath began.
Keeping the gates closed throughout the Sabbath.
Placing guards to prevent any commercial traffic into the city on the Sabbath.
Why was this important?
Nehemiah was deeply concerned with the spiritual and moral well-being of the people of Jerusalem. He believed that proper observance of the Sabbath was a crucial aspect of their covenant with God. By preventing commerce and labor on the Sabbath, he aimed to ensure that the people would have a day dedicated to rest, worship, and spiritual reflection, as commanded in the Law.
The context of Nehemiah 13 shows that Nehemiah was dealing with people who were lax in their religious practices, including profaning the Sabbath. He saw this as a violation of God's law and a threat to the spiritual health of the community. His actions were meant to correct this behavior and restore the proper respect for God's commands.