Nehemiah 13:16
New International Version
People from Tyre who lived in Jerusalem were bringing in fish and all kinds of merchandise and selling them in Jerusalem on the Sabbath to the people of Judah.

New Living Translation
Some men from Tyre, who lived in Jerusalem, were bringing in fish and all kinds of merchandise. They were selling it on the Sabbath to the people of Judah—and in Jerusalem at that!

English Standard Version
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!

Berean Standard Bible
Additionally, men of Tyre who lived there were importing fish and all kinds of merchandise and selling them on the Sabbath to the people of Judah in Jerusalem.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Men of Tyre dwelt there also, who brought in fish and all kinds of goods, and sold them on the Sabbath to the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.

New American Standard Bible
Also people of Tyre were living there who imported fish and all kinds of merchandise, and sold them to the sons of Judah on the Sabbath, even in Jerusalem.

NASB 1995
Also men of Tyre were living there who imported fish and all kinds of merchandise, and sold them to the sons of Judah on the sabbath, even in Jerusalem.

NASB 1977
Also men of Tyre were living there who imported fish and all kinds of merchandise, and sold them to the sons of Judah on the sabbath, even in Jerusalem.

Legacy Standard Bible
Also men of Tyre were living there who brought in fish and all kinds of merchandise, and sold them to the sons of Judah on the sabbath, even in Jerusalem.

Amplified Bible
Also men of Tyre were living there who brought fish and all kinds of merchandise, and they were selling them to the people of Judah on the Sabbath, even in Jerusalem.

Christian Standard Bible
The Tyrians living there were importing fish and all kinds of merchandise and selling them on the Sabbath to the people of Judah in Jerusalem.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The Tyrians living there were importing fish and all kinds of merchandise and selling them on the Sabbath to the people of Judah in Jerusalem.

American Standard Version
There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, who brought in fish, and all manner of wares, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.

Contemporary English Version
People who had moved to Jerusalem from the city of Tyre were bringing in fish and other things to sell there on the Sabbath.

English Revised Version
There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought in fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
People from Tyre who lived in Jerusalem were bringing in fish and all kinds of goods. They were selling them on the day of worship to the people of Judah, even in Jerusalem.

Good News Translation
Some people from the city of Tyre were living in Jerusalem, and they brought fish and all kinds of goods into the city to sell to our people on the Sabbath.

International Standard Version
Furthermore, Tyrians were living there who were importing fish and all kinds of merchandise, selling them to the people of Judah on the Sabbath, even in Jerusalem.

Majority Standard Bible
Additionally, men of Tyre who lived there were importing fish and all kinds of merchandise and selling them on the Sabbath to the people of Judah in Jerusalem.

NET Bible
The people from Tyre who lived there were bringing fish and all kinds of merchandise and were selling it on the Sabbath to the people of Judah--and in Jerusalem, of all places!

New Heart English Bible
There lived men of Tyre also in it, who brought in fish, and all kinds of wares, and sold on the Sabbath to the people of Judah, and in Jerusalem.

Webster's Bible Translation
There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, who brought fish, and all manner of wares, and sold on the sabbath to the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.

World English Bible
Some men of Tyre also lived there, who brought in fish and all kinds of wares, and sold on the Sabbath to the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the Tyrians have dwelt in it, bringing in fish, and every ware, and selling on Sabbath to the sons of Judah and in Jerusalem.

Young's Literal Translation
And the Tyrians have dwelt in it, bringing in fish, and every ware, and selling on sabbath to the sons of Judah and in Jerusalem.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the Tyrians sat in it, bringing in fish and every selling, and selling in the Sabbath to the sons of Judah, and in Jerusalem.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Some Tyrians also dwelt there, who brought fish, and all manner of wares: and they sold them on the sabbaths to the children of Juda in Jerusalem.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And some Tyrians dwelt within, who were bringing fish and all kinds of items for sale. And they were selling on the Sabbaths to the sons of Judah in Jerusalem.

New American Bible
In Jerusalem itself the Tyrians residing there were importing fish and every other kind of merchandise and selling it to the Judahites on the sabbath.

New Revised Standard Version
Tyrians also, who lived in the city, brought in fish and all kinds of merchandise and sold them on the sabbath to the people of Judah, and in Jerusalem.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And not to bring fish, neither to sell on the sabbath to the children of Judah and in Jerusalem.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And you shall not bring fish and you shall not buy and you shall not sell on the Sabbath to the children of Yehuda in Jerusalem.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, who brought in fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and I testified in the day of their sale. Also their dwelt in it men bringing fish, and selling every kind of merchandise to the children of Juda and in Jerusalem on the sabbath.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Sabbath Restored
15In 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. 16Additionally, men of Tyre who lived there were importing fish and all kinds of merchandise and selling them on the Sabbath to the people of Judah in Jerusalem. 17Then I rebuked the nobles of Judah and asked, “What is this evil you are doing—profaning the Sabbath day?…

Cross References
Exodus 20:8-10
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. / Six days you shall labor and do all your work, / but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, on which you must not do any work—neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant or livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates.

Jeremiah 17:21-22
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. / 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.

Isaiah 58:13-14
If you turn your foot from breaking the Sabbath, from doing as you please on My holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight, and the LORD’s holy day honorable, if you honor it by not going your own way or seeking your own pleasure or speaking idle words, / then you will delight yourself in the LORD, and I will make you ride on the heights of the land and feed you with the heritage of your father Jacob.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Amos 8:5
asking, “When will the New Moon be over, that we may sell grain? When will the Sabbath end, that we may market wheat? Let us reduce the ephah and increase the shekel; let us cheat with dishonest scales.

Nehemiah 10:31
When the people of the land bring merchandise or any kind of grain to sell on the Sabbath day, we will not buy from them on a Sabbath or holy day. Every seventh year we will let the fields lie fallow and will cancel every debt.

Deuteronomy 5:12-14
Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you. / Six days you shall labor and do all your work, / but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, on which you must not do any work—neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your ox or donkey or any of your livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates, so that your manservant and maidservant may rest as you do.

Ezekiel 20:12-13
I also gave them My Sabbaths as a sign between us, so that they would know that I am the LORD who sanctifies them. / Yet the house of Israel rebelled against Me in the wilderness. They did not follow My statutes and they rejected My ordinances—though the man who does these things will live by them—and they utterly profaned My Sabbaths. Then I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and put an end to them in the wilderness.

Leviticus 23:3
For six days work may be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, a day of sacred assembly. You must not do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the LORD.

Matthew 12:1-8
At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them. / When the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.” / Jesus replied, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? ...

Mark 2:27-28
Then Jesus declared, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. / Therefore, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

Luke 6:1-5
One Sabbath Jesus was passing through the grainfields, and His disciples began to pick the heads of grain, rub them in their hands, and eat them. / But some of the Pharisees asked, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” / Jesus replied, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? ...

John 5:9-10
Immediately the man was made well, and he picked up his mat and began to walk. Now this happened on the Sabbath day, / so the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “This is the Sabbath! It is unlawful for you to carry your mat.”

Acts 20:7
On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Since Paul was ready to leave the next day, he talked to them and kept on speaking until midnight.

Colossians 2:16-17
Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath. / These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body that casts it belongs to Christ.

Hebrews 4:9-10
There remains, then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God. / For whoever enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His.


Treasury of Scripture

There dwelled men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath to the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.

men of Tyre.

Exodus 23:12
Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed.

Deuteronomy 5:14
But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou.

Jump to Previous
Children City Dwelt Fish Goods Imported Jerusalem Judah Kinds Manner Merchandise Sabbath Selling Sold Sorts Therein Trading Tyre Tyrians Ware Wares
Jump to Next
Children City Dwelt Fish Goods Imported Jerusalem Judah Kinds Manner Merchandise Sabbath Selling Sold Sorts Therein Trading Tyre Tyrians Ware Wares
Nehemiah 13
1. Upon the reading of the law, separation is made from the mixed multitude.
4. Nehemiah, at his return, causes the chambers to be cleansed.
10. He reforms the offices in the house of God;
15. the violation of the Sabbath;
23. and the marriages with the strange wives.














men of Tyre
The mention of "men of Tyre" refers to the Phoenician traders from the city of Tyre, a significant maritime and commercial hub in the ancient world. Historically, Tyre was known for its skilled merchants and seafaring prowess. The presence of these men in Jerusalem highlights the city's economic interactions with surrounding regions. From a biblical perspective, Tyre often symbolizes worldly wealth and commerce, which can be both a blessing and a temptation. The inclusion of these traders in the narrative underscores the challenge of maintaining spiritual integrity amidst economic pressures.

who lived there
This phrase indicates that these Tyrian merchants had established a presence in Jerusalem, suggesting a degree of integration or at least regular interaction with the local community. Their residence in Jerusalem implies a blending of cultures and economic interests, which could lead to both positive exchanges and potential conflicts, especially concerning religious observance. Theologically, this highlights the tension between maintaining a distinct covenant identity and engaging with the broader world.

were importing fish
The importation of fish signifies the trade activities that were vital for the sustenance and economy of Jerusalem. Fish was a staple in the diet of ancient peoples, and its trade was crucial for those living away from the sea. The act of importing fish on the Sabbath, however, raises issues of Sabbath observance and the prioritization of economic gain over spiritual rest. This serves as a reminder of the importance of honoring God's commandments even in the face of economic opportunities.

and all kinds of merchandise
This phrase expands the scope of trade beyond just fish to include a variety of goods. The diversity of merchandise reflects the bustling nature of Jerusalem as a trade center and the allure of material wealth. Biblically, this can be seen as a test of the Israelites' commitment to God's laws, as the influx of goods could distract from spiritual priorities. It challenges believers to discern and prioritize their values amidst the abundance of worldly offerings.

and selling them on the Sabbath
The act of selling on the Sabbath directly contravenes the commandment to keep the Sabbath day holy, as outlined in Exodus 20:8-11. This violation underscores the erosion of religious observance and the encroachment of secular practices into sacred time. Historically, the Sabbath was a sign of the covenant between God and Israel, a day set apart for rest and worship. The selling of goods on this day represents a significant departure from covenant faithfulness and highlights the need for spiritual reform and renewal.

to the people of Judah
The phrase "to the people of Judah" indicates that the primary customers of these merchants were the inhabitants of Judah, including those in Jerusalem. This suggests a complicity or at least a tolerance among the people for the violation of the Sabbath. It reflects a broader societal issue where economic convenience begins to overshadow religious commitment. For contemporary believers, this serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of cultural assimilation and the need to uphold one's faith principles.

in Jerusalem
The setting of Jerusalem is significant as it is the spiritual and political heart of Israel. As the city of God, Jerusalem was meant to be a beacon of holiness and divine order. The fact that such activities were taking place within its walls highlights the depth of the spiritual crisis facing the community. It calls for a return to the foundational values and practices that define the people of God. For Christians, Jerusalem symbolizes the church, and this narrative serves as a reminder to guard against complacency and to strive for holiness in all aspects of life.

(16) Men of Tyre.--They brought timber for the building of the Temple, and received food in payment Ezra 3:7). Now they seem to have established themselves as a colony, and supplied fish, especially to the inhabitants. But their offence was the doing this "on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem." The verse closes emphatically.

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 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 Israelites (Leviticus 11:9; Numbers 11:5; Deuteronomy 14:9; Isaiah 19:10; Matthew 14:7; Matthew 15:34; Luke 24:42, etc.). They derived it chiefly from the Sea of Galilee and the Mediterranean.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Additionally, [men of] Tyre
וְהַצֹּרִים֙ (wə·haṣ·ṣō·rîm)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6876: Tyrians -- inhabitants of Tyre

who lived
יָ֣שְׁבוּ (yā·šə·ḇū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

there
בָ֔הּ (ḇāh)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew

were importing
מְבִיאִ֥ים (mə·ḇî·’îm)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

fish
דָּ֖אג (dāḡ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1709: A fish

and all kinds
וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

of merchandise
מֶ֑כֶר (me·ḵer)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4377: Merchandise, value

and selling them
וּמֹכְרִ֧ים (ū·mō·ḵə·rîm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 4376: To sell

on the Sabbath
בַּשַּׁבָּ֛ת (baš·šab·bāṯ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 7676: Intermission, the Sabbath

to the people
לִבְנֵ֥י (liḇ·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Judah
יְהוּדָ֖ה (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

in Jerusalem.
וּבִירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ (ū·ḇî·rū·šā·lim)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel


Links
Nehemiah 13:16 NIV
Nehemiah 13:16 NLT
Nehemiah 13:16 ESV
Nehemiah 13:16 NASB
Nehemiah 13:16 KJV

Nehemiah 13:16 BibleApps.com
Nehemiah 13:16 Biblia Paralela
Nehemiah 13:16 Chinese Bible
Nehemiah 13:16 French Bible
Nehemiah 13:16 Catholic Bible

OT History: Nehemiah 13:16 There lived men of Tyre also therein (Neh Ne)
Nehemiah 13:15
Top of Page
Top of Page