John Gill Commentary Nehemiah 13:17

"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?" — Nehemiah 13:17 (ASV)

Then I contended with the nobles
The rulers of the city, the civil magistrates, sharply reproved them for their neglect of duty:

and said unto them, what evil thing is this that you do, and profane the
sabbath day ?
by suffering servile works to be done in it, and things sold on it.