Nehemiah 5

1 there was a great cry. The poor seem to have had just ground of complaint against their wealthier brethren. Although their exile in Babylon had cured the Jews, as a people, of their tendency to idolatry, they were still, like their ancestors, much given to covetousness and oppression. The transactions in this chapter appear to have occurred during the building of the wall, causing probably an interruption of the work.

2 therefore we take up corn, etc. Rather, as R.V., “let us get corn, that we may eat and live.”

3 because of the dearth. The cultivation of the land had probably suffered from the difficulties to which the people had been exposed, as well as from other causes. Hence there was a scarcity of food; and the rich men, taking advantage of their brethren’s distress, compelled them to part with all that they possessed, and even to sell their children into bondage, in order to obtain the means of procuring food and of paying the taxes.

7. Ye exact usury. The Mosaic law forbade the Israelites to take usury of their brethren (Exod. xxii. 25; Lev. xxv. 36; Deut. xxiii. 19).

redeemed our brethren. That is, from slavery, into which some of the poor Jews had been sold.

10. I likewise, etc. R.V., “I likewise, my brethren, and my servants, do lend them money and corn on usury.” Nehemiah’s confession would thus appear to include himself. But see vers. 6-10. Probably he lent, but not on usury.

11 the hundredth part. That is, a percentage, whatever the rate might have been. Nothing can be more forcible, touching, and generous than this address; and it seems to have been met on the whole in a similar spirit. The result must have been greatly to strengthen Nehemiah’s hold on popular affection.

12 called the priests. The priests were summoned that the oath might be administered with religious solemnity.

13. I shook my lap. The mantle, or outer garment, was often used to carry goods in: see Exod. xii. 34; Ruth iii. 15. Significant actions of this kind have always been common in the East: see Matt. x. 14; Acts xviii. 6

15 beside forty shekels. Claiming not only the expenses of their households and attendants, but also forty shekels a day in money.

16. I continued. Or, “repaired,” as in ch. iii. throughout. Probably this means not by taking any one portion, but by the general supervision of the work.

18 required not I the bread of the governor. In the Persian empire, the dues of the government were paid partly in provisions. Nehemiah, on account of the distressed state of the people, would not take from them the usual allowances to which, as governor, he was entitled.

19. Think upon me, my God. Nehemiah is particularly distinguished by his constant recurrence to God: see vi. 9, 10, etc. This verse is literally rendered in R.V., “Remember unto me, O my God, for good, all that I have done for this people.”