15 In those days H3117 saw H7200 I in Judah H3063 some treading H1869 wine presses H1660 on the sabbath, H7676 and bringing in H935 sheaves, H6194 and lading H6006 asses; H2543 as also wine, H3196 grapes, H6025 and figs, H8384 and all manner of burdens, H4853 which they brought H935 into Jerusalem H3389 on the sabbath H7676 day: H3117 and I testified H5749 against them in the day H3117 wherein they sold H4376 victuals. H6718
16 There dwelt H3427 men of Tyre H6876 also therein, which brought H935 fish, H1709 H1709 and all manner of ware, H4377 and sold H4376 on the sabbath H7676 unto the children H1121 of Judah, H3063 and in Jerusalem. H3389
17 Then I contended H7378 with the nobles H2715 of Judah, H3063 and said H559 unto them, What evil H7451 thing H1697 is this that ye do, H6213 and profane H2490 the sabbath H7676 day? H3117
18 Did H6213 not your fathers H1 thus, and did H935 not our God H430 bring H935 all this evil H7451 upon us, and upon this city? H5892 yet ye bring H935 more H3254 wrath H2740 upon Israel H3478 by profaning H2490 the sabbath. H7676
19 And it came to pass, that when the gates H8179 of Jerusalem H3389 began to be dark H6751 before H6440 the sabbath, H7676 I commanded H559 that the gates H1817 should be shut, H5462 and charged H559 that they should not be opened H6605 till after H310 the sabbath: H7676 and some of my servants H5288 set H5975 I at the gates, H8179 that there should no burden H4853 be brought in H935 on the sabbath H7676 day. H3117
20 So the merchants H7402 and sellers H4376 of all kind of ware H4465 lodged H3885 without H2351 Jerusalem H3389 once H6471 or twice. H8147
21 Then I testified H5749 against them, and said H559 unto them, Why lodge H3885 ye about H5048 the wall? H2346 if ye do so again, H8138 I will lay H7971 hands H3027 on you. From that time H6256 forth came H935 they no more on the sabbath. H7676
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Nehemiah 13
Commentary on Nehemiah 13 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 13
Nehemiah, having finished what he undertook for the fencing and filling of the holy city, returned to the king his master, who was not willing to be long without him, as appears (v. 6). But, after some time, he obtained leave to come back again to Jerusalem, to redress grievances, and purge out some corruptions which had crept in in his absence; and very active he was in reforming several abuses, which here we have an account of.
Neh 13:1-9
It was the honour of Israel, and the greatest preservation of their holiness, that they were a peculiar people, and were so to keep themselves, and not to mingle with the nations, nor suffer any of them to incorporate with them. Now here we have,
Neh 13:10-14
Here is another grievance redressed by Nehemiah.
Neh 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,
Neh 13:23-31
We have here one instance more of Nehemiah's pious zeal for the purifying of his countrymen as a peculiar people to God; that was the thing he aimed at in the use of his power, not the enriching of himself. See here,