Nehemiah 5 9

Nehemiah 5:9 kjv

Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies?

Nehemiah 5:9 nkjv

Then I said, "What you are doing is not good. Should you not walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the nations, our enemies?

Nehemiah 5:9 niv

So I continued, "What you are doing is not right. Shouldn't you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies?

Nehemiah 5:9 esv

So I said, "The thing that you are doing is not good. Ought you not to walk in the fear of our God to prevent the taunts of the nations our enemies?

Nehemiah 5:9 nlt

Then I pressed further, "What you are doing is not right! Should you not walk in the fear of our God in order to avoid being mocked by enemy nations?

Nehemiah 5 verses

Nehemiah 5 9 Meaning

Nehemiah 5:9 captures Nehemiah's stern rebuke of the Jewish nobles and officials for their exploitative financial practices against their own impoverished brethren. He declares their actions "not good," indicating a deep moral and spiritual failure, contrary to God's will. He challenges them to live righteously, to "walk in the fear of our God," which implies living in reverent obedience to divine commands, especially concerning justice and compassion. This ethical conduct is crucial "because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies," meaning their internal injustice gives pagan adversaries a reason to mock their faith, their God, and discredit the rebuilt community. The verse emphasizes that the conduct of God's people directly impacts God's reputation among the nations.

Nehemiah 5 9 Context

Nehemiah 5:9 occurs during a critical phase of the Jerusalem wall's rebuilding, a period already marked by intense external opposition (Neh 4). However, Nehemiah reveals that the community faces an equally destructive internal crisis. Chapter 5 begins with a "great outcry" from the Jewish common people and their families. They report extreme distress, having been forced to mortgage their land, vineyards, and homes, and even sell their children into servitude to buy food during a famine and to pay heavy Persian taxes (Neh 5:1-5). Their oppressors are fellow Jews—the nobles and rulers—who are lending at exorbitant interest, violating Mosaic Law (Lev 25:35-37; Deut 23:19-20). Nehemiah's response is one of "great anger" (Neh 5:6). The immediate verse (5:9) is part of his direct confrontation with these leaders, challenging their actions as morally repugnant and spiritually compromising, especially in the watchful eyes of their pagan adversaries. Historically, post-exilic Judah was vulnerable, trying to re-establish itself under foreign rule. This internal exploitation threatened to destabilize the already fragile community and discredit their identity as God's chosen people, called to live by His righteous laws.

Nehemiah 5 9 Word analysis

• Also I said: Signifies Nehemiah's personal, authoritative intervention and strong conviction as a divinely appointed leader.
• It is not good (Hebrew: lo' tov לֹא טוֹב): A decisive moral condemnation. In biblical thought, tov ("good") indicates divine approval and alignment with God's character/will (Gen 1:31). Thus, lo' tov means not merely inconvenient, but morally evil, offensive to God, and contrary to covenant faithfulness.
• that ye do: Refers directly to their oppressive practices: charging interest, seizing collateral, and enslaving fellow Jews. It pinpoints their active, detrimental conduct.
• ought ye not: A rhetorical question demanding a self-evident answer. It underscores a clear moral imperative that they should already know and follow, implying a grave dereliction of duty.
• to walk (Hebrew: halak הָלַךְ): A common biblical idiom for one's way of life, conduct, or consistent behavior. It refers to the journey and pattern of one's ethical existence.
• in the fear of our God (Hebrew: b'yirat Elohim בְּיִרְאַת אֱלֹהֵינוּ): The foundational motive for righteous living. This "fear" is not terror, but profound reverence, awe, and obedient submission to God's authority and commands. It encapsulates worship, moral discipline, and active avoidance of sin (Prov 8:13). The "our" highlights shared covenant identity and responsibility.
• because of the reproach (Hebrew: mippcharpatt מִפַּחֲרָפַת): The phrase signifies "because of the scorn," "disgrace," or "shame." Their internal actions provided external opponents with reasons to mock or discredit.
• of the heathen (Hebrew: haGoyim הַגּוֹיִם): Refers to the nations or Gentiles surrounding Judah, often antagonistic, like the Samaritans and Ammonites, who observed Israel's conduct.
• our enemies: Specifically identifies "the heathen" as those hostile to the Jewish community and its rebuilding efforts, underscoring the practical ramifications of their actions on their fragile political and spiritual standing.

Words-group analysis:

• "It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk": Nehemiah highlights a stark dichotomy between their current, ungodly actions and the righteous, God-honoring life they are called to lead. He exposes the fundamental moral misalignment of their behavior with their identity.
• "walk in the fear of our God": This phrase mandates a lifestyle entirely oriented around God's will and character. It means to conduct all affairs, especially financial and social, in conscious obedience and reverence for God's holy law and His compassion for the poor.
• "because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies": This provides a powerful external rationale for ethical behavior. Their internal social injustice provided ammunition to external enemies, leading to mockery not only of the Jewish people but also of the God they claimed to serve. Their behavior tarnished God's name among the nations (Isa 52:5, Rom 2:24).

Nehemiah 5 9 Bonus section

• The phrase "our God" is significant; it stresses the shared identity and covenant relationship, grounding Nehemiah's strong rebuke in their mutual allegiance to Yahweh and His laws. It emphasizes that the transgression is against their own God.
• This verse serves as a powerful testament to biblical leadership: effective leaders do not shy away from confronting sin and injustice, even among those in positions of power, especially when it undermines the community's spiritual integrity and public witness.
• Nehemiah’s words highlight the pervasive biblical principle that internal integrity and communal justice are foundational for divine favor and protection against external threats. When the people fail morally, they invite God's disfavor and give strength to their adversaries.
• The incident in Nehemiah 5 is an internal "wall" breakdown, a failure in social justice that is as destructive as the physical breaches of Jerusalem's walls. Nehemiah's reform addressed both the spiritual and the physical restoration necessary for Israel's renewal.

Nehemiah 5 9 Commentary

Nehemiah 5:9 delivers a foundational truth: authentic faith must translate into righteous and compassionate living, especially within the community. Nehemiah doesn't merely criticize economic injustice; he frames it as a spiritual transgression. The exploitation of the poor by fellow Jews violated the core tenets of their covenant relationship with God (the prohibition of usury, e.g., Lev 25:35-37) and undermined their identity as God's chosen people. The "fear of God" is presented as the primary motivation for this righteousness—not fear of punishment, but profound reverence that prompts obedience and love, especially towards the vulnerable.

The most potent element of Nehemiah's rebuke lies in linking their actions to the "reproach of the heathen our enemies." Their internal corruption provided ample opportunity for hostile nations to mock and scorn their faith and their God. It demonstrates that the personal and communal integrity of God's people directly impacts God's honor in the eyes of the world. Therefore, living justly is not only for internal community health but also for the sake of God's reputation. Nehemiah thus stresses the paramount importance of reflecting God's character of justice and mercy to the world, safeguarding the credibility of their witness and God's name. This verse is a timeless reminder that hypocritical actions undermine the truth we proclaim and give cause for those outside the faith to scoff.

Examples for practical usage:

• A Christian business failing to pay employees fairly damages the reputation of Christianity in the marketplace.
• Church members engaging in deceptive financial practices give cause for unbelievers to question the sincerity of their faith.
• Leaders of a Christian organization are called to lead with utmost integrity and selflessness, avoiding any form of exploitation, lest their conduct discredit the name of Christ among those observing them.