Nehemiah 13:15
In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals.
Original Language Analysis
בְּי֖וֹם
In those days
H3117
בְּי֖וֹם
In those days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
1 of 26
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
רָאִ֣יתִי
saw
H7200
רָאִ֣יתִי
saw
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
3 of 26
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
בִֽיהוּדָ֣ה׀
I in Judah
H3063
בִֽיהוּדָ֣ה׀
I in Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
4 of 26
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
דֹּֽרְכִֽים
some treading
H1869
דֹּֽרְכִֽים
some treading
Strong's:
H1869
Word #:
5 of 26
to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow (by treading on it in bending)
גִּתּ֣וֹת׀
wine presses
H1660
גִּתּ֣וֹת׀
wine presses
Strong's:
H1660
Word #:
6 of 26
a wine-press (or vat for holding the grapes in pressing them)
הַשַּׁבָּ֑ת
on the sabbath
H7676
הַשַּׁבָּ֑ת
on the sabbath
Strong's:
H7676
Word #:
7 of 26
intermission, i.e (specifically) the sabbath
וּמְבִיאִ֥ים
and bringing in
H935
וּמְבִיאִ֥ים
and bringing in
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
8 of 26
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
וְֽעֹמְסִ֪ים
and lading
H6006
וְֽעֹמְסִ֪ים
and lading
Strong's:
H6006
Word #:
10 of 26
to load, i.e., impose a burden (or figuratively, infliction)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
11 of 26
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְאַף
H637
וְאַף
Strong's:
H637
Word #:
13 of 26
meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though
יַ֜יִן
as also wine
H3196
יַ֜יִן
as also wine
Strong's:
H3196
Word #:
14 of 26
wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
17 of 26
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מַשָּׂ֔א
and all manner of burdens
H4853
מַשָּׂ֔א
and all manner of burdens
Strong's:
H4853
Word #:
18 of 26
a burden; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire
וּמְבִיאִ֥ים
and bringing in
H935
וּמְבִיאִ֥ים
and bringing in
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
19 of 26
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֖ם
into Jerusalem
H3389
יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֖ם
into Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
20 of 26
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
בְּי֖וֹם
In those days
H3117
בְּי֖וֹם
In those days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
21 of 26
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
הַשַּׁבָּ֑ת
on the sabbath
H7676
הַשַּׁבָּ֑ת
on the sabbath
Strong's:
H7676
Word #:
22 of 26
intermission, i.e (specifically) the sabbath
וָֽאָעִ֕יד
and I testified
H5749
וָֽאָעִ֕יד
and I testified
Strong's:
H5749
Word #:
23 of 26
to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to protest, testify (as by reiteration); intensively, to encompass, restore (as a sort of reduplication)
בְּי֖וֹם
In those days
H3117
בְּי֖וֹם
In those days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
24 of 26
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
Cross References
Nehemiah 10:31And 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.Nehemiah 13:21Then 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.Exodus 34:21Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest: in earing time and in harvest thou shalt rest.Isaiah 58:13If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:Jeremiah 17:24And it shall come to pass, if ye diligently hearken unto me, saith the LORD, to bring in no burden through the gates of this city on the sabbath day, but hallow the sabbath day, to do no work therein;Jeremiah 17:27But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath day, and not to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.Exodus 35:2Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the LORD: whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death.Deuteronomy 8:19And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.Ezekiel 20:13But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly polluted: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them.
Historical Context
Nehemiah's account occurs during Persian imperial dominance (539-331 BC), specifically 445-433 BC under Artaxerxes I. Nehemiah's final reforms address recurring covenant violations, demonstrating the ongoing challenge of maintaining spiritual commitment across generations. The Persian period was crucial transitional time when Jewish identity shifted from monarchical nationalism to Torah-centered covenantal community. Without political independence, the people's cohesion depended on shared scripture, temple worship, and covenant obedience. This established patterns persisting through the Second Temple period into New Testament times. Understanding this context illuminates Jesus's ministry among a people shaped by these reforms and challenges.
Questions for Reflection
- How does regular engagement with Scripture transform understanding of God and His will for your life?
- What specific commitments do you need to make (or renew) regarding Bible reading, worship, and obedience?
- How can the principles demonstrated in this passage inform your response to current challenges in your life or church?
Analysis & Commentary
In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals.
This verse within Nehemiah 13 addresses themes of reform, confronting compromise, vigilance, finishing well. Nehemiah's return from Persia reveals backsliding, requiring renewed reforms in areas previously addressed—showing constant vigilance's necessity. This passage demonstrates biblical principles applicable across both testaments—God's sovereignty combined with human responsibility, faith expressed through obedient action, and the necessity of both individual and corporate commitment to covenant faithfulness. Nehemiah models leadership that combines vision, prayer, courage, integrity, and perseverance amid sustained opposition.