Key Verse Spotlight
Nehemiah 13:20 — Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing—and how to apply it today
King James Version
" So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice. "
Nehemiah 13:20
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath.
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.
So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice.
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.
And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.
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From This Chapter
Nehemiah 13:1
"On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever;"
Nehemiah 13:2
"Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing."
Nehemiah 13:3
"Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude."
Nehemiah 13:4
"And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah:"
Nehemiah 13:5
"And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which was commanded to be given to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests."
Nehemiah 13:6
"But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king:"
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