Bible Strands
Jeremiah 17:21
This is what the LORD says: Take heed for yourselves; do not carry a load or bring it through the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The LORD addresses the kings of Judah, the people of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem who enter through the city gates, delivering a direct command regarding Sabbath conduct.
The words — The Hebrew הִשָּׁמְרוּ (hi.sha.me.Ru) means "take heed," and the phrase וְאַל־ תִּשְׂאוּ מַשָּׂא (ve.'al- tis.'U ma.Sa') literally translates to "and may not you carry a burden."
The thread — This prohibition against transporting loads on the Sabbath reappears in Nehemiah 13:15, where merchants and laborers are seen bringing goods into Jerusalem, while Numbers 15:32 records a different Sabbath violation involving the gathering of wood.
Why it lands — The text commands immediate self-awareness and physical restraint by forbidding the transport of loads through Jerusalem’s gates on the Sabbath. It requires readers to treat the day as a bounded period of rest rather than a continuation of ordinary labor.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Thus saith the Lord; Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem;
Cross-references
- Nehemiah 13:15 In those days I saw people in Judah treading winepresses on the Sabbath and bringing in grain and loading it on donkeys, along with wine, grapes, and figs. All kinds of goods were being brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. So I warned them against selling food on that day.
- Numbers 15:32 While the Israelites were in the wilderness, a man was found gathering wood on the Sabbath day.
- John 5:9 Immediately the man was made well, and he picked up his mat and began to walk. Now this happened on the Sabbath day,
- Deuteronomy 4:9 Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen, and so that they do not slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and grandchildren.
- Deuteronomy 4:15 So since you saw no form of any kind on the day the LORD spoke to you out of the fire at Horeb, be careful
- Deuteronomy 4:23 Be careful that you do not forget the covenant of the LORD your God that He made with you; do not make an idol for yourselves in the form of anything He has forbidden you.
- Deuteronomy 11:16 But be careful that you are not enticed to turn aside to worship and bow down to other gods,
- Joshua 23:11 Therefore watch yourselves carefully, that you love the LORD your God.
- Proverbs 4:23 Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.
- Jeremiah 17:22 You must not carry a load out of your houses or do any work on the Sabbath day, but you must keep the Sabbath day holy, just as I commanded your forefathers.