Contradictions and Paradoxes in Nehemiah 13:16

Check out Contradictions Catalog of Nehemiah 13:16 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts Nehemiah 13:16. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to Nehemiah, people from the city of Tyre were selling fish and other things to the people of Judah and Jerusalem on the Sabbath, which is a special day for rest and worship. Nehemiah was upset because he wanted everyone to keep this day holy and not work or sell things.

Nehemiah 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.

Contradiction with Jeremiah 17:21-22

These verses instruct the people not to bear burdens or do any work on the Sabbath, contradicting Nehemiah 13:16 where merchants were engaging in trade on the Sabbath.

Jeremiah 17:21-22: Thus saith the LORD; Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the sabbath day, nor bring [it] in by the gates of Jerusalem;

Contradiction with Exodus 20:10

Specifically commands rest on the Sabbath day, opposing the selling activities described in Nehemiah 13:16.

Exodus 20:10: 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, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that [is] within thy gates:

Contradiction with Isaiah 58:13

Advises against doing personal pleasure and work on the Sabbath, contrasting with the marketplace actions in Nehemiah 13:16.

Isaiah 58:13: If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, [from] doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking [thine own] words:

Contradiction with Deuteronomy 5:14

Emphasizes rest for everyone on the Sabbath day, including servants and animals, conflicting with the commercial activities in Nehemiah 13:16.

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.

Contradiction with Amos 8:5

Criticizes those who are eager for the Sabbath to end so they can resume trading, highlighting a similar disregard for the Sabbath as seen in Nehemiah 13:16.

Amos 8:5: Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit? [new...: or, month] [set...: Heb. open] [falsifying...: Heb. perverting the balances of deceit]
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