'Sabbath Day' in the Bible

When the surrounding peoples bring merchandise or any kind of grain to sell on the Sabbath day, we will not buy from them on the Sabbath or a holy day. We will also leave the land uncultivated in the seventh year and will cancel every debt.

At that time I saw people in Judah treading wine presses on the Sabbath. They were also bringing in stores of grain and loading them on donkeys, along with wine, grapes, and figs. All kinds of goods were being brought to Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. So I warned them against selling food on that day.

I rebuked the nobles of Judah and said to them: “What is this evil you are doing—profaning the Sabbath day?

When shadows began to fall on the gates of Jerusalem just before the Sabbath, I gave orders that the gates be closed and not opened until after the Sabbath. I posted some of my men at the gates, so that no goods could enter during the Sabbath day.

Then I instructed the Levites to purify themselves and guard the gates in order to keep the Sabbath day holy.Remember me for this also, my God, and look on me with compassion in keeping with Your abundant, faithful love.