Nehemiah 10:31

Authorized King James Version

And if the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy it of them on the sabbath, or on the holy day: and that we would leave the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְעַמֵּ֣י
H5971
And if the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#2
הָאָ֡רֶץ
H776
of the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#3
הַֽמְבִיאִים֩
H935
bring
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#4
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#5
הַמַּקָּח֨וֹת
H4728
ware
something received, i.e., merchandise (purchased)
#6
וְכָל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#7
שֶׁ֜בֶר
H7668
or any victuals
grain (as if broken into kernels)
#8
וּבְי֣וֹם
H3117
day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#9
בַּשַּׁבָּ֖ת
H7676
it of them on the sabbath
intermission, i.e (specifically) the sabbath
#10
לִמְכּ֔וֹר
H4376
to sell
to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrender)
#11
לֹֽא
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#12
נִקַּ֥ח
H3947
that we would not buy
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#13
מֵהֶ֛ם
H1992
they (only used when emphatic)
#14
בַּשַּׁבָּ֖ת
H7676
it of them on the sabbath
intermission, i.e (specifically) the sabbath
#15
וּבְי֣וֹם
H3117
day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#16
קֹ֑דֶשׁ
H6944
or on the holy
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
#17
וְנִטֹּ֛שׁ
H5203
and that we would leave
properly, to pound, i.e., smite; by implication (as if beating out, and thus expanding) to disperse; also, to thrust off, down, out or upon (inclusive
#18
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#19
הַשָּׁנָ֥ה
H8141
year
a year (as a revolution of time)
#20
הַשְּׁבִיעִ֖ית
H7637
the seventh
seventh
#21
וּמַשָּׁ֥א
H4855
a loan; by implication, interest on a debt
#22
כָל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#23
יָֽד׃
H3027
of every debt
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing covenant community contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection