Nehemiah 13:16
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What’s striking here is that the Tyrians, foreigners, weren't even obligated by the Sabbath law, but they still tempted the people of Judah to break it. Their presence in Jerusalem as traders wasn't the issue, but their active commerce on the sacred day, right within the holy city, highlights how easily a culture's spiritual boundaries can be eroded, even by outsiders.
Tyrians also, who lived in the city, brought in fish and all kinds of goods and sold them on the Sabbath to the people of Judah, in Jerusalem itself!
English Standard Version (ESV)
Having already tackled the disregard for the Temple's treasury, Nehemiah now confronts the widespread desecration of the Sabbath. Foreigners living in Jerusalem, specifically merchants from Tyre, were openly selling fish and other goods on the holy day, not just to any Jews, but right in the heart of the sacred city. This blatant disregard for God's command was happening under the noses of the people of Judah and Jerusalem itself.
Why were foreigners selling goods on the Sabbath in Jerusalem, and was this allowed?
Nehemiah's concern wasn't necessarily about foreigners observing the Sabbath law itself, as it primarily applied to the Israelites. The commentary notes that foreigners dwelling in the city, like Araunah the Jebusite or Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, were not inherently a problem.
The issue here is that these Tyrians, who were merchants, were actively tempting the Jewish people to break God's commandment by offering their goods for sale on the Sabbath. Their presence and business dealings directly undermined the sanctity of Jerusalem and the people's obedience to God's commands.
What made this Sabbath-breaking so particularly offensive in Jerusalem?
The text emphasizes that this trading wasn't happening in some obscure village, but "in Jerusalem itself!" This detail is crucial.
Jerusalem was the holy city, the place where God's presence dwelled in the Temple, and the seat of religious and civil authority. To conduct business on the Sabbath there was a direct insult to God and a flagrant disregard for the covenant community. It showed a deep contempt for God's law and the sacredness of His appointed day, especially in the very place designated for His worship.
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shabbat · Hebrew Noun
A day of rest and holiness set apart by God at creation and codified in the Decalogue. It serves as a sign of the covenant between God and His people, requiring cessation from labor to honor God's sovereignty.
The people of Tyre, foreigners living in Jerusalem, were bringing goods, especially fish, to sell on the Sabbath to the Jews. This highlights that the Sabbath had become a vital marker of Jewish identity, and its violation by both Jews and foreigners was a serious concern for Nehemiah, a leader deeply invested in restoring religious observance after the exile.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling many Jews. This event deeply impacted Jewish identity and their understanding of God's covenant, leading to a heightened emphasis on the Law, including Sabbath observance, as a way to maintain identity in exile.
c. 538 BC
Return from Exile
Under Persian rule, many Jewish exiles are permitted to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. This marked a period of restoration but also challenges in re-establishing community life and religious observance.
c. 445-433 BC— this verse
Nehemiah's Governorship of Judah
Nehemiah, cupbearer to the Persian king, is appointed governor and leads the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. This period saw efforts to reform religious and social practices among the returned exiles.
c. 444 BC
Nehemiah Reforms Jerusalem
Following the rebuilding of the walls, Nehemiah addresses various social and religious corruptions, including the profanation of the Sabbath and intermarriage with surrounding peoples.
This passage lays out the foundational command for the Sabbath, emphasizing its sacredness as a day of rest. Nehemiah's confrontation with the Tyrians directly addresses the violation of this divine ordinance.
Isaiah 58:13-14These verses highlight the blessings that come from honoring the Sabbath and calling it a delight, in contrast to the consequences of treating it as just another day. The Tyrians' actions in Nehemiah are a stark example of the
Jeremiah 17:21-27This prophetic warning details the severe consequences for Jerusalem if the Sabbath is not kept holy, including divine judgment. Nehemiah's actions underscore the persistent struggle to uphold this commandment and avoid such judgment.
Matthew 12:1-8Jesus confronts the religious leaders about their strict interpretations of Sabbath law, pointing to Himself as Lord of the Sabbath and emphasizing mercy over rigid observance. This offers a theological perspective on the purpose of the Sabbath that goes beyond simple prohibition of work.
pooleNehemiah 13:16: "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."
Which brought fish, which they might take in the sea near Joppa, or bring from Tyre to Joppa by sea, and thence to Jerusalem, which was but a small journey. In Jerusalem, the holy city, where God’s house and presence was, and where the great judicatories of the nation were. So this is added as an aggravation of their sin, that…
pulpitNehemiah 13:16: "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."
Verse 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 of…
What’s striking here is that the Tyrians, foreigners, weren't even obligated by the Sabbath law, but they still tempted the people of Judah to break it. Their presence in Jerusalem as traders wasn't the issue, but their active commerce on the sacred day, right within the holy city, highlights how easily a culture's spiritual boundaries can be eroded, even by outsiders.
Having already tackled the disregard for the Temple's treasury, Nehemiah now confronts the widespread desecration of the Sabbath. Foreigners living in Jerusalem, specifically merchants from Tyre, were openly selling fish and other goods on the holy day, not just to any Jews, but right in the heart of the sacred city. This blatant disregard for God's command was happening under the noses of the people of Judah and Jerusalem itself.
Having already tackled the disregard for the Temple's treasury, Nehemiah now confronts the widespread desecration of the Sabbath. Foreigners living in Jerusalem, specifically merchants from Tyre, were openly selling fish and other goods on the holy day, not just to any Jews, but right in the heart of the sacred city. This blatant disregard for God's command was happening under the noses of the people of Judah and Jerusalem itself.
"Tyrians also, who lived in the city, brought in fish and all kinds of goods and sold them on the Sabbath to the people of Judah, in Jerusalem itself!" — What’s striking here is that the Tyrians, foreigners, weren't even obligated by the Sabbath law, but they still tempted the people of Judah to break it. Their presence in Jerusalem as traders wasn't…
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Last reviewed October 2026
