Nehemiah 13:16

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Nehemiah 13:15-22

Here is another instance of that blessed reformation in which Nehemiah was so active. He revived sabbath-sanctification, and maintained the authority of the fourth commandment; and a very good deed this was for the house of God and the offices thereof, for, where holy time is over-looked and made nothing of, it is not strange if all holy duties be neglected. Here is, I. A remonstrance of the abuse. The law of the sabbath was very strict and much insisted one, and with good reason, for religion... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 13:16

There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish ,.... From Tyre and Zidon, and the parts adjacent: these they brought from Joppa, and from thence to Jerusalem, and had houses or lodgings near the fish gate or fish market, where they sold them: and all manner of ware ; or merchandise, which, being a trading city, they had from all nations: and sold on the sabbath day unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem ; or even in Jerusalem, the holy city, where stood the temple,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 13:1-31

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 13:1-31

The blessing of God on an active life founded upon his word. I. THE TRUE RELIGIOUS REFORMATION , both negative and positive. 1. Abuses must be vigorously attacked and cleansed away. The house of God has to be purified of strangers. The neglect of discipline a terrible evil. Unfaithful ministers the curse of the Church. The "mixed multitude" is no strength to Jerusalem, but weakness. The observance of the sabbath. To the Jew a typical commandment, which represented... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 13:15-22

Sabbath-breaking suppressed. A promise to observe the sabbath was one of the articles of the solemn covenant recorded in Nehemiah 10:1-39 . We read here how it was violated by some of the people, and how Nehemiah put a stop to their practices. I. THE PROFANATION OF THE SABBATH WHICH PREVAILED . 1. Among country Jews (verse 15). Nehemiah, visiting the country, saw the people labouring as on other days, and brining their produce to Jerusalem for sale. That they... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 13:15-22

The sabbath day. Among other deplorable departures from the Law of the word, Nehemiah found on his return to Jerusalem that his countrymen had fallen into flagrant disregard of the sabbath. It was a most serious defection, demanding a most vigorous reform. We look at what he found-and what he wrought. I. A SERIOUS DELINQUENCY . The law of the sabbath ( Exodus 20:8-11 ; Exodus 31:13-17 ; Numbers 15:32-36 ) was openly defied. Husbandmen were treading their wine-presses and were... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 13:16

There dwelt men of Tyre also therein . It was not against the law that foreigners should dwell in Jerusalem. Araunah the Jebusite lived there in the time of David, and Ebed-melech the Ethiopian in the time of Zedekiah ( Jeremiah 38:7 ). Nehemiah does not object to the Tyrians for being dwellers in Jerusalem, but for offering their wares for sale there on the sabbath, and inducing the Jews to buy of them. Which brought fish . Fish was always a favourite article of food with the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Nehemiah 13:16

Friendly relations subsisted between the Phoenicians and the Jews, after the captivity Ezra 3:7. It was, however, a new fact, and one pregnant with evil consequences, that the Tyrians should have established a permanent colony at Jerusalem. Its influence on the other inhabitants weakened the hold of the Law upon men’s consciences, and caused it to be transgressed continually more and more openly. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Nehemiah 13:15-16

Nehemiah 13:15-16. I testified against them I protested against the action, and admonished them to forbear it. Men of Tyre brought fish, and sold on the sabbath in Jerusalem The holy city, where God’s house was; and where the great judicatories of the nation were. So this is added as an aggravation of their sin, that it was done with manifest contempt of God and men. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 13:4-31

Nehemiah’s later reforms (13:4-31)After serving twelve years as governor of Jerusalem, Nehemiah returned to Persia for a period (see 5:14; 13:6). During his absence the religion of the Jews deteriorated, while the Jews’ old enemies, Sanballat and Tobiah, gained some influence in Jerusalem. The high priest Eliashib was especially blameworthy in this. He allowed a member of the high priestly family to marry the daughter of Sanballat (see v. 28), and gave permission to Tobiah to live in one of the... read more

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