King James Version
Nehemiah 13:17 in the King James Version says “Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabba...” — study this verse from Nehemiah chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“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?”
Nehemiah 13:17 · KJV
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.
There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish , and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.
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?
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.
KJV Study — Public Domain
“Then I contended”
H7378properly, to toss, i.e., grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e., hold a controversy; (by implication) to defend
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
“with the nobles”
H2715properly, white or pure (from the cleansing or shining power of fire; hence (figuratively) noble (in rank)
“of Judah”
H3063jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
“thing”
H1697a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
“is this that ye do”
H6213to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
“and profane”
H2490properly, 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
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
“day”
H3117a 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
This verse is found in the book of Nehemiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Nehemiah 13:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to Nehemiah 13:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge