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Home › Berean Standard Bible  › Nehemiah 13  › Nehemiah 13:20

Nehemiah 13:20

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Nehemiah 13:20 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Once or twice, the merchants and those who sell all kinds of goods camped outside Jerusalem,

King James Version KJV

So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice.

American Standard Version ASV

So the merchants and sellers of all kind of wares lodged without Jerusalem once or twice.

Bible in Basic English BBE

So the traders in all sorts of goods took their night's rest outside Jerusalem once or twice.

Free Bible Version FBV

A couple of times merchants and sellers of all kinds of goods spent the night outside of Jerusalem.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

So the chapmen and marchants of al marchandise remained once or twise all night without Ierusalem.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And they lodge — the merchants and sellers of all ware — at the outside of Jerusalem, once or twice,

World English Bible WEB

So the merchants and sellers of all kinds of wares camped outside of Jerusalem once or twice.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

So the merchants and sellers of all kind of wares lodged without Jerusalem once or twice.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

So the merchants, and they that sold all kinds of wares, stayed without Jerusalem once or twice.

Translation for Translators T4T

One or two times merchants [DOU] stayed outside of the city on ◄Friday night/the night before the Sabbath day►.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Nehemiah 13:20

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Nehemiah 13:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וַ/יָּלִ֨ינוּ הָ/רֹכְלִ֜ים וּ/מֹכְרֵ֧י כָל מִמְכָּ֛ר מִ/ח֥וּץ לִ/ירוּשָׁלִָ֖ם פַּ֥עַם וּ/שְׁתָּֽיִם
וַ/יָּלִ֨ינוּ lûwn H3885 to lodge Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
הָ/רֹכְלִ֜ים râkal H7402 to trade Art | V-Qal
וּ/מֹכְרֵ֧י mâkar H4376 to sell Conj | V-Qal
כָל kôl H3605 all N-ms
מִמְכָּ֛ר mimkâr H4465 sale N-ms
מִ/ח֥וּץ chûwts H2351 outside Prep | N-ms
לִ/ירוּשָׁלִָ֖ם Yᵉrûwshâlaim H3389 Jerusalem Prep | N-proper
פַּ֥עַם paʻam H6471 beat N-fs
וּ/שְׁתָּֽיִם shᵉnayim H8147 two Conj | Adj
Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

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Hebrew Word Reference — Nehemiah 13:20

וַ/יָּלִ֨ינוּ lûwn H3885 "to lodge" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
To grumble or complain, this word describes a negative attitude of discontent or murmuring. It is used in the Bible to describe people who are unhappy or stubborn.
Definition: 1) to lodge, stop over, pass the night, abide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lodge, pass the night 1a2) to abide, remain (fig.) 1b) (Hiphil) to cause to rest, lodge 1c) (Hithpalpel) to dwell, abide
Usage: Occurs in 78 OT verses. KJV: abide (all night), continue, dwell, endure, grudge, be left, lie all night, (cause to) lodge (all night, in, -ing, this night), (make to) murmur, remain, tarry (all night, that night). See also: Genesis 19:2; Judges 19:20; Psalms 25:13.
הָ/רֹכְלִ֜ים râkal H7402 "to trade" Art | V-Qal
To trade means to travel for business, exchanging goods or services. In the Bible, it describes a merchant or trader who goes about selling spices or other commodities. The KJV translates it as merchant.
Definition: 1) to go about (meaning uncertain) 1a) (Qal) trafficker, trader (participle) (subst)
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: (spice) merchant. See also: 1 Kings 10:15; Ezekiel 27:13; Nahum 3:16.
וּ/מֹכְרֵ֧י mâkar H4376 "to sell" Conj | V-Qal
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to sell something or someone, like a merchant selling goods or a father selling his daughter into marriage. It appears in books like Genesis and Exodus. The word can also mean to surrender or give something up.
Definition: 1) to sell 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sell 1a2) seller (participle) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be sold 1b2) to sell oneself 1b3) to be given over to death 1c) (Hithpael) to sell oneself
Usage: Occurs in 74 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, sell (away, -er, self). See also: Genesis 25:31; Deuteronomy 32:30; Psalms 44:13.
כָל kôl H3605 "all" N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
מִמְכָּ֛ר mimkâr H4465 "sale" N-ms
This word means something that is for sale, like merchandise or a product. It is used in the Bible to describe buying and selling, as seen in Matthew and Revelation, and can also refer to the act of selling something, like a business transaction.
Definition: sale, ware, thing sold
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] ought, (that which cometh of) sale, that which...sold, ware. See also: Leviticus 25:14; Leviticus 25:33; Ezekiel 7:13.
מִ/ח֥וּץ chûwts H2351 "outside" Prep | N-ms
This word means outside or outdoors, referring to something beyond a wall or boundary. It can also mean a street or highway, as seen in various KJV translations, including abroad, field, and without.
Definition: outside, outward, street, the outside
Usage: Occurs in 158 OT verses. KJV: abroad, field, forth, highway, more, out(-side, -ward), street, without. See also: Genesis 6:14; 2 Chronicles 24:8; Psalms 18:43.
לִ/ירוּשָׁלִָ֖ם Yᵉrûwshâlaim H3389 "Jerusalem" Prep | N-proper
Jerusalem is the capital city of Palestine, also known as the city of peace. It was the chief city of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split.
Definition: § Jerusalem = "teaching of peace" the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split
Usage: Occurs in 600 OT verses. KJV: Jerusalem. See also: Joshua 10:1; 2 Kings 22:14; 2 Chronicles 24:6.
פַּ֥עַם paʻam H6471 "beat" N-fs
This word refers to a beat or stroke, like a footstep or a blow. It can also mean a time or occurrence, and is used in the Bible to describe things like a single step or a repeated action.
Definition: 1) stroke, beat, foot, step, anvil, occurrence 1a) foot, hoof-beat, footfall, footstep 1b) anvil 1c) occurrence, time, stroke, beat 1c1) one time, once, twice, thrice, as time on time, at this repetition, this once, now at length, now...now, at one time...at another
Usage: Occurs in 108 OT verses. KJV: anvil, corner, foot(-step), going, (hundred-) fold, [idiom] now, (this) [phrase] once, order, rank, step, [phrase] thrice, (often-), second, this, two) time(-s), twice, wheel. See also: Genesis 2:23; 1 Samuel 3:10; Psalms 17:5.
וּ/שְׁתָּֽיִם shᵉnayim H8147 "two" Conj | Adj
The Hebrew word for the number two appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing pairs and dualities. It can also mean double or twice. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things that come in twos, like two witnesses or two tablets.
Definition: 1) two 1a) two (the cardinal number) 1a1) two, both, double, twice 1b) second (the ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers 1d) both (a dual number)
Usage: Occurs in 646 OT verses. KJV: both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two. See also: Genesis 1:16; Exodus 30:4; Numbers 13:23.

Study Notes — Nehemiah 13:20

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Nehemiah 13:20 Summary

In Nehemiah 13:20, we see that some merchants and sellers were camping outside Jerusalem, waiting to sell their goods to the people of the city on the Sabbath day. This was a problem because God had commanded the Israelites to rest on the Sabbath day and not do any work (Exodus 20:8-11). By camping outside the city, the merchants and sellers were trying to get around Nehemiah's rules and still make money on the Sabbath. This verse reminds us of the importance of keeping the Sabbath day holy and setting it apart from the rest of the week (Isaiah 58:13-14).

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the merchants and sellers doing in Nehemiah 13:20?

The merchants and sellers were camping outside Jerusalem, likely waiting to sell their goods to the people of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, which was against God's commands (Exodus 20:8-11, Deuteronomy 5:12-15).

Why were the merchants and sellers camping outside Jerusalem?

The merchants and sellers were camping outside Jerusalem because Nehemiah had ordered the gates of the city to be shut on the Sabbath day, preventing them from entering the city to sell their goods (Nehemiah 13:19).

What does this verse reveal about Nehemiah's leadership?

This verse reveals that Nehemiah was a strong and courageous leader who was willing to enforce God's laws and protect the Sabbath day, even if it meant confronting the merchants and sellers (Nehemiah 13:21-22, Proverbs 28:1).

How does this verse relate to the broader theme of Sabbath observance?

This verse is part of a larger theme in the Bible that emphasizes the importance of observing the Sabbath day and keeping it holy, as commanded by God (Exodus 20:8-11, Isaiah 58:13-14, Hebrews 4:9-11).

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways that I can prioritize keeping the Sabbath day holy in my own life?
  2. How can I, like Nehemiah, stand up for what is right and enforce God's laws in my own community?
  3. What are some modern-day equivalents of the merchants and sellers camping outside Jerusalem, and how can I avoid participating in them on the Sabbath day?
  4. What does it mean to 'keep the Sabbath day holy' in a world that often values work and productivity over rest and worship?

Gill's Exposition on Nehemiah 13:20

For the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware,.... The Tyrians particularly, Ne 13:16 lodged without Jerusalem once or twice; one sabbath day or two, not being able to get into the city, such

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Nehemiah 13:20

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. No JFB commentary on these verses.

Trapp's Commentary on Nehemiah 13:20

Nehemiah 13:20 So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice. Ver. 20. So the merchants … lodged without Jerusalem] They would not easily be said, or take an answer, so desirous they were of some takings from the Jews. There is nothing in the world that is more pertinacious, and that cleaveth closer to a man, than a strong lust; say it be covetousness, wantonness, passionateness, or any the like, entreat it to be gone, as Naomi did Ruth, threaten it, as Abner did Asahel, or as Nehemiah did these merchants, you prevail nothing, till God comes and strikes a parting blow, &c.

Ellicott's Commentary on Nehemiah 13:20

(20) Once or twice.—For a time they lodged outside; the unseemliness of this, and the evidence it gave that they were only waiting to evade the law, made Nehemiah testify in word, and threaten forcible action. This effectually removed the evil.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Nehemiah 13:20

Verse 20. So the merchants - lodged without Jerusalem] They exposed their wares for sale on the outside of the walls.

Cambridge Bible on Nehemiah 13:20

20. So the merchants, &c.] The device only partially succeeded; and various merchants, who had been compelled for 24 hours to remain without the walls, seem to have carried on their trade with such of the inhabitants as came outside to deal with them. We gather from the verse that the chief market was held on the first day of the week. lodged] i.e. passed the night, as in Genesis 19:2; Genesis 24:25.

Whedon's Commentary on Nehemiah 13:20

20. Lodged without Jerusalem — This enabled them to carry on their impious traffic to some extent without the gates, and, as Keil observes, “because egress from the city could not be refused to the
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