Nehemiah 13:21

21 Then I testified against them, and said to them, Why lodge you about the wall? if you do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the Shabbat.

Nehemiah 13:21 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 13:21

Then I testified against them
Against their continuance there, and threatened them, and called heaven and earth to witness what he would do to them, if they did not depart:

why lodge ye about the wall?
of the city, waiting an opportunity to get in, and tempting the Jews to come out and buy their ware:

if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you;
beat them, or slay them, at least imprison them:

from that time forth came they no more on the sabbath;
finding there was no likelihood of getting into the city, and that they were liable to be taken up and punished.

Nehemiah 13:21 In-Context

19 It came to pass that, when the gates of Yerushalayim began to be dark before the Shabbat, I commanded that the doors should be shut, and commanded that they should not be opened until after the Shabbat: and some of my servants set I over the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the day of Shabbat.

20 So the merchants and sellers of all kind of wares lodged outside of Yerushalayim once or twice.

21 Then I testified against them, and said to them, Why lodge you about the wall? if you do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the Shabbat.

22 I commanded the Levites that they should purify themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the day of Shabbat. Remember to me, my God, this also, and spare me according to the greatness of your lovingkindness.

23 In those days also saw I the Yehudim who had married women of Ashdod, of `Ammon, [and] of Mo'av: