Nehemiah 13:20 - So the merchants and sellers of all kinds of wares camped outside of Jerusalem once or twice.

Generated Verse: Nehemiah 13:20

What does "Nehemiah 13:20" mean?


This verse from Nehemiah 13:20 describes a problem that arose after Nehemiah, the governor of Judah, had returned from Babylon to rebuild Jerusalem. Here's a breakdown of what it means:

"So the merchants and sellers of all kinds of wares..." This refers to people who were engaged in commerce, selling various goods and services. They were not residents of Jerusalem but rather outsiders coming to the city to do business.
"...camped outside of Jerusalem..." These merchants were setting up temporary camps or makeshift stalls outside the city walls. This implies they were trying to conduct their business on the Sabbath (the day of rest) which was against Jewish law.
"...once or twice." This suggests that this was a recurring issue, not just an isolated incident. The merchants repeatedly attempted to sell their goods outside the city on the Sabbath.

Context and Significance:

Nehemiah was a strong advocate for religious observance and keeping the Sabbath holy. The reason this verse is mentioned is because Nehemiah was trying to enforce the laws of Moses, which included refraining from work and commerce on the Sabbath. By camping outside the city, the merchants were attempting to circumvent these laws, hoping to attract Jewish buyers who might be tempted to make purchases on their day of rest.

This verse highlights the challenges Nehemiah faced in reforming the society and ensuring that the people of Judah remained faithful to their religious obligations. It reflects the tension between economic interests and religious principles.

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