Nehemiah 13:17

Authorized King James Version

Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וָֽאָרִ֕יבָה
H7378
Then I contended
properly, to toss, i.e., grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e., hold a controversy; (by implication) to defend
#2
אֵ֖ת
H854
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
#3
חֹרֵ֣י
H2715
with the nobles
properly, white or pure (from the cleansing or shining power of fire; hence (figuratively) noble (in rank)
#4
יְהוּדָ֑ה
H3063
of Judah
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
#5
וָאֹֽמְרָ֣ה
H559
and said
to say (used with great latitude)
#6
לָהֶ֗ם
H0
#7
מָֽה
H4100
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#8
הַדָּבָ֨ר
H1697
thing
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#9
הָרָ֤ע
H7451
unto them What evil
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
#10
הַזֶּה֙
H2088
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#11
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#12
אַתֶּ֣ם
H859
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#13
עֹשִׂ֔ים
H6213
is this that ye do
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#14
וּֽמְחַלְּלִ֖ים
H2490
and profane
properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin
#15
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#16
י֥וֹם
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
#17
הַשַּׁבָּֽת׃
H7676
the sabbath
intermission, i.e (specifically) the sabbath

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Nehemiah. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Nehemiah Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection