Nehemiah 13:22

"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."

Key Reflection

Nehemiah 13:22 reflects a scene where Nehemiah, as governor of Judah, is concerned about the sanctity and proper observance of the Sabbath day. By commanding the Levites to keep the gates during this time, he was ensuring that only those who had purified themselves could enter and participate in the Sabbath festivities. This action underscores the importance of maintaining strict adherence to religious laws and the potential consequences for those who disregarded them, as evidenced by their decision not to come on subsequent Sabbaths after Nehemiah's firm warning.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

I commanded the Levites -At first Nehemiah had employed his own retinueNehemiah 13:19in the work of keeping the gates. He now assigned the duty to the Levites, as one which properly belonged to them, since the object of the regulation was the due observance of the Sabbath.

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