Nehemiah 5
A plain-spoken deep dive on the whole chapter. Read the chapter →
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
The people complain that they are oppressed and enthralled by their richer brethren, Neh 5:1-3. Nehemiah calls them to account; upbraids them for their cruelty; and obliges them to swear that they will forgive the debts, restore the mortgaged estates, and free their servants, Neh 5:4-13. Nehemiah's generosity and liberality, Neh 5:14-17. The daily provision for his table, Neh 5:18, Neh 5:19.
Open source ↗THE PEOPLE COMPLAIN OF THEIR DEBT, MORTGAGE, AND BONDAGE. (Neh 5:1-5) there was a great cry of the people . . . against their brethren--Such a crisis in the condition of the Jews in Jerusalem--fatigued with hard labor and harassed by the machinations of restless enemies, the majority of them poor, and the bright visions which hope had painted of pure happiness on their return to the land of their fathers being unrealized--must have been very trying to their faith and patience. But, in addition to these vexatious oppressions, many began to sink under a new and more grievous evil. The poor made loud complaints against the rich for taking advantage of their necessities, and grinding them by usurious exactions. Many of them had, in consequence of these oppressions, been driven to such extremities that they had to mortgage their lands and houses to enable them to pay the taxes to the Persian government, and ultimately even to sell their children for slaves to procure the means of subsistence. The condition of the poorer inhabitants was indeed deplorable; for, besides the deficient harvests caused by the great rains (Ezr 10:9; also Hag 1:6-11), a dearth was now threatened by the enemy keeping such a multitude pent up in the city, and preventing the country people bringing in provisions.
Open source ↗And there was a great cry of the people, and of their wives,.... Those of the poorer sort: against their brethren the Jews; the rich that oppressed them; and this cry or complaint was made to Nehemiah for redress.
Open source ↗The people complain of oppression. - Neh 5:1 There arose a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews, i.e., as appears from what follows (Neh 5:7), against the nobles and rulers, therefore against the richer members of the community. This cry is more particularly stated in Neh 5:2, where the malcontents are divided into three classes by וישׁ, Neh 5:2, Neh 5:3, Neh 5:4. Neh 5:2 There were some who said: Our sons and our daughters are many, and we desire to receive corn, that we may eat and live. These were the words of those workers who had no property. נקחה (from לקח), not to take by force, but only to desire that corn may be provided. Neh 5:3 Others, who were indeed possessed of fields, vineyards, and houses, had been obliged to mortgage them, and could now reap nothing from them. ערב, to give as a pledge, to mortgage. The use of the participle denotes the continuance of the transaction, and is not to be rendered, We must mortgage our fields to procure corn; but, We have been obliged to mortgage them, and we desire to receive corn for our hunger, because of the dearth. For (1) the context shows that the act of mortgaging had already taken place, and was still continuing in force (we have been obliged to pledge them, and they are still pledged); and (2) נקחה must not be taken here in a different sense from Neh 5:2, but means, We desire that corn may be furnished us, because of the dearth; not, that we may not be obliged to mortgage our lands, but because they are already mortgaged. בּרעב, too, does not necessarily presuppose a scarcity in consequence of a failure of crops or other circumstances, but only declares that they who had been obliged to pledge their fields were suffering from hunger. Neh 5:4 Others, again, complained: We have b…
Open source ↗We have here the tears of the oppressed, which Solomon considered, Ecc 4:1. Let us consider them as here they are dropped before Nehemiah, whose office it was, as governor, to deliver the poor and needy, and rid them out of the hand of the wicked oppressors, Psa 82:4. Hard times and hard hearts made the poor miserable. I. The times they lived in were hard. There was a dearth of corn (Neh 5:3), probably for want of rain, with which God had chastised their neglect of his house (Hag 1:9-11) and the non-payment of their church-dues, Mal 3:9, Mal 3:10. Thus foolish sinful men bring God's judgments upon themselves, and then fret and complain of them. When the markets are high, and provisions scarce and dear, the poor soon feel from it, and are pinched by it. Blessed be God for the mercy, and God deliver us from the sin, of fulness of bread, Eze 16:49. That which made the scarcity here complained of the more grievous was that their sons and their daughters were many, Neh 5:2. The families that were most necessitous were most numerous; here were the mouths, but where was the meat? Some have estates and no children to inherit them; others have children and no estates to leave them. Those who have both have reason to be thankful; those who have neither may the more easily be content. Those who have great families and little substance must learn to live by faith in God's providence and promise; and those who have little families and great substance must make their abundance a supply for the wants of others. But this was not all: as corn was dear, so the taxes were high; the king's tribute must be paid, Neh 5:4. This mark of their captivity still remained upon them. Perhaps it was a poll-money that was required, and then, their sons and their daughters being many, it rose the highe…
Open source ↗5:1-13 Although severe financial problems threatened to derail the wall’s completion (5:1-5), Nehemiah worked out a solution (5:6-13).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent צַעֲקָה (tsaʻăqâh, H6818) — a shriek עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… יְהוּדִי (Yᵉhûwdîy, H3064) — a Jehudite (i.e. Judaite or Jew), or descendant of Jehudah (i.e. Judah)
Open source ↗יֵשׁ (yêsh, H3426) — there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) דָּגָן (dâgân, H1715) — properly, increase, i.e. grain אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) חָיָה (châyâh, H2421) — to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
Open source ↗יֵשׁ (yêsh, H3426) — there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עָרַב (ʻârab, H6148) — to braid, i.e. intermix; technically, to traffic (as if by barter); also or give to be… שָׂדֶה (sâdeh, H7704) — a field (as flat) כֶּרֶם (kerem, H3754) — a garden or vineyard בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) דָּגָן (dâgân, H1715) — properly, increase, i.e. grain רָעָב (râʻâb, H7458) — hunger (more or less extensive)
Open source ↗יֵשׁ (yêsh, H3426) — there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) לָוָה (lâvâh, H3867) — properly, to twine, i.e. (by implication) to unite, to remain; also to borrow (as a form… כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king מִדָּה (middâh, H4060) — properly, extension, i.e. height or breadth; also a measure (including its standard);… שָׂדֶה (sâdeh, H7704) — a field (as flat) כֶּרֶם (kerem, H3754) — a garden or vineyard
Open source ↗בָּשָׂר (bâsâr, H1320) — flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the… אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… כָּבַשׁ (kâbash, H3533) — to tread down; hence, negatively, to disregard; positively, to conquer, subjugate, violate בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant יֵשׁ (yêsh, H3426) — there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection) אֵל (ʼêl, H410) — strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), אַחֵר (ʼachêr, H312) — properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc. שָׂדֶה (sâdeh, H7704) — a field (as flat) כֶּרֶם (kerem, H3754) — a garden or vineyard
Open source ↗מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,… חָרָה (chârâh, H2734) — to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… זַעַק (zaʻaq, H2201) — a shriek or outcry דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
Open source ↗מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence… לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… רִיב (rîyb, H7378) — properly, to toss, i.e. grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e. hold a… חֹר (chôr, H2715) — properly, white or pure (from the cleansing or shining power of fire; hence… סָגָן (çâgân, H5461) — a prefect of a province אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) נָשָׁא (nâshâʼ, H5378) — to lend on interest; by implication, to dun fordebt נָשָׁה (nâshâh, H5383) — to lend or (by reciprocity) borrow on security or interest נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative מַשָּׁא (mashshâʼ, H4855) — a loan; by implication, interest on adebt אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) דַּי (day, H1767) — enough (as noun or adverb), used chiefly with preposition in phrases קָנָה (qânâh, H7069) — to erect, i.e. create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively,… אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… יְהוּדִי (Yᵉhûwdîy, H3064) — a Jehudite (i.e. Judaite or Jew), or descendant of Jehudah (i.e. Judah) מָכַר (mâkar, H4376) — to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or… גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… חָרַשׁ (chârash, H2790) — to scratch, i.e. (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to… מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) יִרְאָה (yirʼâh, H3374) — fear (also used as infinitive); morally, reverence אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… חֶרְפָּה (cherpâh, H2781) — contumely, disgrace, the pudenda גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… אֹיֵב (ʼôyêb, H341) — hating; an adversary
Open source ↗אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… נַעַר (naʻar, H5288) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a… נָשָׁה (nâshâh, H5383) — to lend or (by reciprocity) borrow on security or interest כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money דָּגָן (dâgân, H1715) — properly, increase, i.e. grain עָזַב (ʻâzab, H5800) — to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc. מַשָּׁא (mashshâʼ, H4855) — a loan; by implication, interest on adebt
Open source ↗שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… שָׂדֶה (sâdeh, H7704) — a field (as flat) כֶּרֶם (kerem, H3754) — a garden or vineyard זַיִת (zayith, H2132) — an olive (as yielding illuminating oil), the tree, the branch or the berry בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money דָּגָן (dâgân, H1715) — properly, increase, i.e. grain תִּירוֹשׁ (tîyrôwsh, H8492) — must or fresh grape-juice (as just squeezed out); by implication (rarely) fermented wine יִצְהָר (yitshâr, H3323) — oil (as producing light); figuratively, anointing נָשָׁה (nâshâh, H5383) — to lend or (by reciprocity) borrow on security or interest
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… בָּקַשׁ (bâqash, H1245) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… שָׁבַע (shâbaʻ, H7650) — to seven oneself, i.e. swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times) דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
Open source ↗נָעַר (nâʻar, H5287) — to tumble about חֹצֶן (chôtsen, H2684) — {the bosom (as comprised between the arms)} אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יְגִיעַ (yᵉgîyaʻ, H3018) — toil; hence, a work, produce, property (as the result of labor) קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause רֵיק (rêyq, H7386) — empty; figuratively, worthless קָהָל (qâhâl, H6951) — assemblage (usually concretely) אָמֵן (ʼâmên, H543) — sure; abstract, faithfulness; adverb, truly הָלַל (hâlal, H1984) — to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make ashow, to… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin פֶּחָה (pechâh, H6346) — a prefect (of a city or small district) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold שְׁלוֹשִׁים (shᵉlôwshîym, H7970) — thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth אַרְתַּחְשַׁשְׁתָּא (ʼArtachshashtâʼ, H783) — Artachshasta (or Artaxerxes), a title (rather than name) of several Persian kings מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king עָשָׂר (ʻâsâr, H6240) — ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
For the vineyard of the LORD of Hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are the plant of His delight. He looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard a cry of distress.
Look, the wages you withheld from the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts.
The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the affliction of My people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their oppressors, and I am aware of their sufferings.
Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He continue to defer their help?
The next day he came upon two Israelites who were fighting, and he tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brothers. Why are you mistreating each other?’
They caused the cry of the poor to come before Him, and He heard the outcry of the afflicted.