Book of Nehemiah - Chapter 13 - Verse 17

In this verse, the speaker, believed to be the prophet Nehemiah, is confronting the nobles of Judah about their behavior on the Sabbath day. The Sabbath, or Shabbat, is a holy day of rest and worship in Judaism, set apart by God in the Ten Commandments. The nobles were likely violating the sanctity of the day by engaging in secular activities or profaning it in some way. Nehemiah's question to them - "What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day?" - is a call to reflection and repentance. By contending with the nobles and challenging their actions, Nehemiah sought to uphold the importance of honoring the Sabbath and maintaining the spiritual integrity of the community. This verse serves as a reminder to all believers to honor and respect the sacred times set aside for worship and renewal, as well as a call to hold each other accountable in upholding the teachings and commandments of God.

The theological interpretation of this verse focuses on the importance of honoring the Sabbath day as a commandment from God. Contending with the nobles of Judah, Nehemiah questions their actions that go against the sanctity of the Sabbath. The Sabbath was a day set apart for rest and worship, a sacred day for the Lord. By profaning the Sabbath, the nobles were disregarding God's commandments and showing disrespect for His holiness. This verse serves as a reminder to all believers to keep the Sabbath holy and to not engage in activities that dishonor God's day of rest.