Nehemiah 13:21
Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath.
Nehemiah 13:21 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse, Nehemiah is addressing the people who were not following the Sabbath laws. The Sabbath is a day of rest and worship in the Jewish faith, and Nehemiah was disappointed to see people disregarding this important day. By testifying against them and warning them of the consequences of their actions, Nehemiah was trying to remind them of the significance of honoring the Sabbath. He threatened to take action against those who continued to neglect the laws of the Sabbath by physically laying hands on them. This demonstrates the seriousness with which Nehemiah regarded the observance of the Sabbath.
After Nehemiah's warning, the people stopped coming to the wall on the Sabbath. This shows that his words had a powerful impact on the community, and they decided to respect the Sabbath as they should. The verse highlights the importance of upholding religious traditions and following the commandments set forth in the Bible. Nehemiah's actions serve as a reminder that obedience to God's laws is essential for maintaining a strong and faithful community.
Theological Overview
In this verse from Nehemiah 13:21, Nehemiah is addressing the people of Jerusalem who were violating the Sabbath by conducting business near the city walls. The theological interpretation of this passage highlights the importance of honoring the Sabbath and keeping it holy. The Sabbath was a day set aside by God for rest and worship, and Nehemiah's rebuke of those who were working on that day serves as a reminder to prioritize spiritual matters over worldly concerns. The mention of laying hands on them if they continued to dishonor the Sabbath emphasizes the seriousness of breaking God's commandments. Additionally, the word "lodge" in this verse could be studied further to understand the specific actions of the people that Nehemiah was addressing. Overall, this passage serves as a poignant lesson on the significance of observing the Sabbath and the consequences of disobedience.
Nehemiah 13:21 in other translations
American Standard Version
Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath.
World English Bible
Then I testified against them, and said to them, “Why do you stay around the wall? If you do so again, I will lay hands on you.” From that time on, they didn’t come on the Sabbath.
Douay-Rheims
And I charged them, and I said to them: Why stay you before the wall? if you do so another time, I will lay hands on you. And from that time they came no more on the sabbath.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And I protested among them, and said vnto them, Why tary ye all night about the wall? If ye do it once againe, I will lay hands vpon you. from that time came they no more on the Sabbath.