Nehemiah 5 7

Nehemiah 5:7 kjv

Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them.

Nehemiah 5:7 nkjv

After serious thought, I rebuked the nobles and rulers, and said to them, "Each of you is exacting usury from his brother." So I called a great assembly against them.

Nehemiah 5:7 niv

I pondered them in my mind and then accused the nobles and officials. I told them, "You are charging your own people interest!" So I called together a large meeting to deal with them

Nehemiah 5:7 esv

I took counsel with myself, and I brought charges against the nobles and the officials. I said to them, "You are exacting interest, each from his brother." And I held a great assembly against them

Nehemiah 5:7 nlt

After thinking it over, I spoke out against these nobles and officials. I told them, "You are hurting your own relatives by charging interest when they borrow money!" Then I called a public meeting to deal with the problem.

Nehemiah 5 verses

Nehemiah 5 7 Meaning

Nehemiah 5:7 records Governor Nehemiah's internal deliberation and subsequent confrontation with the wealthy Jewish nobles and officials regarding their exploitative practice of charging interest to their fellow Israelites during a severe economic crisis. He explicitly rebukes them for exacting usury, which violated Mosaic Law and brotherhood, and then escalates the matter by calling for a public assembly to address this injustice.

Nehemiah 5 7 Context

Nehemiah chapter 5 describes a significant internal crisis threatening the unity and morale of the Jewish community engaged in rebuilding Jerusalem's walls. While external enemies like Sanballat and Tobiah had previously harassed them, here the oppression came from within. The common people, facing severe drought, high taxes levied by the Persian king, and famine, were forced into extreme debt. They mortgaged their fields, vineyards, and houses, and even sold their children into slavery to repay loans for food and taxes. This was a dire situation for a people recently returned from exile, struggling to re-establish themselves. Nehemiah, upon hearing their desperate outcry, realizes that some of their own wealthy Jewish nobles and officials are exploiting their vulnerability by charging exorbitant interest on these life-sustaining loans, a practice strictly forbidden by Mosaic Law among fellow Israelites. Verse 7 specifically details Nehemiah's initial, decisive response to this gross injustice, moving from personal reflection to direct confrontation, culminating in the public convocation to rectify the issue.

Nehemiah 5 7 Word analysis

• Then I consulted with myself (וָאֶתְמוֹלֵל֙ עִמִּ֣י, va'etmôlēl ‘immî): This phrase indicates Nehemiah's careful, internal deliberation and reflection. The Hebrew verb implies deep thought and meditation, rather than a hasty decision. It suggests Nehemiah sought wisdom and divine guidance before acting, demonstrating a prudent and prayerful leadership style in the face of grave injustice.
• and contended with (וָאָרִיב֙, va'arīv): This verb means to strive, contend, rebuke, or plead. It signifies a strong, assertive confrontation, not a mild suggestion. Nehemiah's approach was direct and authoritative, like one bringing a legal charge or arguing a case, indicating the seriousness of the offense and his resolve.
• the nobles (הַחֹרִ֣ים, haḥorîm) and the officials (וְהַסְּגָנִ֖ים, vehasgānîm): These were the influential, wealthy, and politically powerful leaders within the Jewish community, likely landowners or administrators appointed under the Persian rule. They were in positions of trust and authority, yet they abused their power for personal gain, betraying the very people they were supposed to protect and lead.
• and said to them (וָאֹמַ֣ר אֲלֵיהֶ֑ם, va'omar 'alehem): Nehemiah did not whisper or subtly hint; he spoke directly and unequivocally to the offending parties. His words carried the weight of his office and his moral authority.
• “You are exacting interest (מַשָּׁ֥א נֶ֖שֶׁךְ, mashshāʾ neshekh)": This is the core of the accusation. "Neshekh" (interest/usury) derives from a root meaning "to bite," connoting something that gnaws away at a person's substance, like a viper. It implies oppressive and consuming interest. The Mosaic Law (Exod 22:25; Lev 25:35-37; Deut 23:19-20) explicitly forbade Israelites from charging interest to fellow Israelites, especially the poor. This practice exploited vulnerability and caused destitution.
• each from his brother” (אִ֤ישׁ מֵאָחִ֙יו֙, ’îsh mē’āḥîw): This highlights the violation of covenantal brotherhood. In Israelite society, "brother" was a term of communal solidarity, implying mutual support and protection, especially for the vulnerable. To charge interest was not just an economic transaction but a betrayal of kinship and shared identity under God's covenant. It showed a lack of compassion and justice among God's chosen people.
• And I held a great assembly (וָאֶכְלֹ֨ל עֲלֵיהֶ֜ם קָהָ֥ל גָּד֖וֹל, va'ekhlōl ‘alêhem qāhāl gādōl): Nehemiah escalated the matter from private confrontation to a formal, public gathering of the entire community (qāhāl, congregation). This demonstrates the seriousness of the sin and the need for public repentance and communal action to address an injustice that affected the entire nation's well-being and their mission to rebuild Jerusalem. It ensured accountability and served as a forum for collective decision-making and justice.

Nehemiah 5 7 Bonus section

Nehemiah's leadership here offers a stark contrast to typical Ancient Near Eastern rulers. While other societies often saw powerful elites exploiting the poor as an accepted norm, Nehemiah's actions reflected YHWH's unique demand for social justice and compassion within the covenant community. His concern transcended mere task management (wall building) to encompass the moral and spiritual well-being of the people, demonstrating that true spiritual revival must include socio-economic justice. The internal "biter" (interest) threatened to consume the people from within far more insidiously than external physical attacks. Nehemiah’s integrity in not benefitting from the office and prioritizing the poor (as detailed later in the chapter) distinguished his leadership from that of the oppressive nobles, embodying the true spirit of a shepherd for God’s flock.

Nehemiah 5 7 Commentary

Nehemiah 5:7 reveals Nehemiah as a resolute and principled leader driven by righteousness. Upon learning of the severe social injustice among his people—Jewish nobles exploiting their fellow citizens through illegal usury during a time of famine and burden—he did not delay or hesitate. His initial "consultation with himself" points to wise internal deliberation, possibly seeking divine wisdom, before he confronted the powerful elite directly. This was a bold and potentially dangerous move, challenging those with influence and wealth. The act of "contending" implies a forceful and assertive rebuke, calling out their blatant violation of God's Law against usury, specifically highlighting the betrayal of the "brotherly" relationship commanded within the covenant. Realizing the depth of this systemic abuse and its widespread impact on the poor, Nehemiah did not leave the matter to private discourse but escalated it to a public forum—a "great assembly." This act demonstrated his unwavering commitment to justice, his courage to expose sin regardless of status, and his determination to restore unity and the covenantal integrity essential for the spiritual and physical rebuilding of Jerusalem. It underscored that communal faithfulness, ethical behavior, and compassion were paramount to God's work.