Nehemiah 10:31

And if the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the Sabbath day, to sell, that we would not buy it of them on the Sabbath, or on the holyday, and that wee would leaue the seuenth yeere, and the exaction of euerie debt. Nehemiah 10:31 (KJV)

And

if the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the sabbath day to sell,

that we would not buy it of them on the sabbath, or on the holy day: and

that we would leave the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt. Nehemiah 10:31 (KJV)

These words are part of Nehemiah 10, a chapter that records the covenant renewal undertaken by the Israelites after the wall of Jerusalem had been rebuilt. The community gathered to affirm a series of obligations drawn from the Law of Moses, thereby binding themselves anew to God’s statutes.

Among the commitments listed are the observance of the weekly Sabbath and the seventh‑year Sabbatical cycle. The Israelites pledged to keep the Sabbath as a day of rest and worship, refraining from ordinary work in keeping with the Fourth Commandment (Exodus 20:8‑11). Specifically, they vowed not to buy or sell on the Sabbath or on the holy days, honoring the day as set apart for worship.

The verse also records a promise to “leave the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt.” This reflects the Sabbatical year, when the land was to lie fallow and debts were to be released, providing economic relief and social restoration for the community.

By incorporating these stipulations into their covenant, the Israelites reaffirmed their dedication to the principles of holiness, justice, and communal responsibility that underlie the Mosaic Law. The passage underscores the importance of observing God‑ordained times such as the Sabbath and the Sabbatical year, while also reminding the community of their broader obligations toward worship, generosity, and the support of the priestly and Levite families.

Overall, Nehemiah 10:31 highlights the nation’s determination to uphold God’s commandments, to honor sacred time, and to practice compassion and fairness in their dealings with one another, thereby reflecting the character of God in their communal life.