Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 13:20
So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice.
20. So the merchants, &c.] The device only partially succeeded; and various merchants, who had been compelled for 24 hours to remain without the walls, seem to have carried on their trade with such of the inhabitants as came outside to deal with them. We gather from the verse that the chief market was held on the first day of the week.
lodged ] i.e. passed the night, as in Gen 19:2; Gen 24:25.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 20. So the merchants – lodged without Jerusalem] They exposed their wares for sale on the outside of the walls.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
For the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware,…. The Tyrians particularly, Ne 13:16 lodged without Jerusalem once or twice; one sabbath day or two, not being able to get into the city, such strict watch and care being taken to keep the gates shut; this they did, hoping the Jews would come out to them and buy their goods, though they were not admitted to bring them within the city.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(20) Once or twice.For a time they lodged outside; the unseemliness of this, and the evidence it gave that they were only waiting to evade the law, made Nehemiah testify in word, and threaten forcible action. This effectually removed the evil.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
20. Lodged without Jerusalem This enabled them to carry on their impious traffic to some extent without the gates, and, as Keil observes, “because egress from the city could not be refused to the inhabitants, the rest of the Sabbath was broken outside the gates.”
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘So the merchants and sellers of all kind of wares lodged outside Jerusalem once or twice.’
Nothing daunted the merchants and sellers of all kinds of wares still came to Jerusalem prior to the Sabbath, or on the Sabbath, and encamped themselves outside the city. The aim was probably twofold. Firstly in the hope that the people of Jerusalem would come outside the gates in order to buy, although it should be noted that that would be strictly limited as the buyers would not be allowed to carry their purchases into the city. They too would be ‘burdens’. And secondly so that as soon as the Sabbath was over they would be able to stream into the city. But Nehemiah informs us that they only did this ‘once or twice’.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Neh 13:20 So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice.
Ver. 20. So the merchants lodged without Jerusalem] They would not easily be said, or take an answer, so desirous they were of some takings from the Jews. There is nothing in the world that is more pertinacious, and that cleaveth closer to a man, than a strong lust; say it be covetousness, wantonness, passionateness, or any the like, entreat it to be gone, as Naomi did Ruth, threaten it, as Abner did Asahel, or as Nehemiah did these merchants, you prevail nothing, till God comes and strikes a parting blow, &c.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Neh 13:20-21. The merchants, &c., lodged without Jerusalem In the open field, (as appears by the next verse,) where, perhaps, they pitched their tents, and opened their packs, hoping to sell their wares on the sabbath day to the country people, though they could not get admittance into Jerusalem. Then I testified against them, and said, I will lay hands on you I will punish you and seize your goods. For this was a temptation to covetous or needy Jews, that lived in or near the city, to steal opportunities of buying their commodities, which then they might do with more advantage. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath
Such power have good magistrates; especially when they are resolute. And it is very observable, that these traffickers, being men of other nations, were not bound by the law of the sabbath enjoined to the Jews, and did not transgress in breaking it; yet he would not permit them to make the Jews, who were under the obligation of it, to break it; and thereby trouble the commonwealth of Israel, by drawing the people into sin. It is also observable, that though buying and selling was not a servile work, yet he thought this to be comprehended in those words, Thou shalt do no manner of work.