Nehemiah 13:15

THEIR WANTON VIOLATION OF THE SABBATH DAY

"In those days saw I in Judah men treading winepresses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses therewith; as also with wine, grapes, figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals. There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, who brought in fish, and all manner of wares, and sold on the sabbath to the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem. Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day? Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath."

"There dwelt men of Tyre also therein" (Nehemiah 13:16). It was not contrary to God's law for foreigners to live in Jerusalem; but, "This, however, was a new fact, and one pregnant with evil consequences."[9] Men of Tyre had established a colony in Jerusalem; they were not bound by God's laws, and they no doubt led the way in advocating and encouraging the profanation of the sabbath.