Nehemiah 5
PATrich demanded when they saw them in such necessity, that they must pay what they asked or die.
Nehemiah 5:1
JjlND there was a great cry of the people, and of their wives, against their brethren the Jeivs. At this time, there was a grievous complaint of the poor against their rich brethren: for though they were cured of their idolatry by their captivity, yet they were not cured of, their other sins, but loved strange women, as we read before in the book of Ezra; and were so covetous, that they oppressed* the poor and needy; and this at a time when their enemies threatened the destruction of them all. But this was the more heinous crime, because the twentieth of Artaxerxes, wherein this was done, began about the end of a sabbatic year (as Dr. Alix observes),.which raised the cry of the poor to a greater height against their creditors, who exacted their debts of them contrary to the law, (Dcut. xv. 3.) which was read to them publicly in such a year, (Dcut. xxxi. 12.) For it was of such moment, that it moved Nehemiah to make the Jews take a solemn oath that they would observe this law, and, release all the debts, that were owing to them in this year, (chap. x. of this book, ver. 31.)
Nehemiah 5:2
For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, are.many. They had numerous families. Therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat, and live.] They had no way to keep them from < starving, but, by buying corn for them at unreasonable rates; which the
Nehemiah 5:3
Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands,* vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth. 1 There had been a great scarcity for want of Tain; which God denied, because they minded building their own houses more.than his, as we read Haggai i. 9 — 11. Now the effects of such droughts caused among the people great scarcity of provisions, in which the rich had no compassion on their poor brethren, but forced thera*k> sell all they had for bread.
Nehemiah 5:4
Tliere were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king’s tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards. They do not complain that they were constrained to borrow money, but that they could not have it without taking it up on usury, as it appears from ver. 7. which was contrary to the law of God; (Exod.xxii. 25, &c.) otherwise they could not have paid their tribute to the king of Persia, who laid it upon all his subjects every where, (Ezra iv. 13. vii. 24.)
Nehemiah 5:5
Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children. They represent very pathetically that there was no difference between them and their brethren, but that they were poor, and the other rich; for they were all Jews of the same stock, from the same original, all alike circumcised; so that by nature, and by the favour of God, they were every way the same, and therefore ought to enjoy the same freedom that they arid their children did.. And, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants.] In case of great necessity this was lawful, Exod. xxi. 7. But they “were very void of compassion, who forced their brethren to do a thing so much against nature. And some of our daughters are brought unto bondage already.] Some of the tender sex, who were least able to endure hardship, they had been already forced to part withal. Neither Js it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards.] Their condition was very lamentable, for none would lend them money freely; and to pay their usury, they were forced to sell their children, whom they had not power to redeem, because their lands were mortgaged to those oppressors: so that they w T ere in a worse condition than when they were in Babylon, being not in so much danger to be devoured by their cruel neighbours (who sought their destruction), as by their barbarous friends and neighbours. Ver. G. And I tvas very angry when I heard their cry and these words.] It could not but move his indignation, to hear them complain one of another; but much more when he heard the Teason.
Nehemiah 5:7
Then I considted tvith myself. It is not safe to do any thing in a fit of anger; but coolly to consider and deliberate what is fit to be done. And I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers.] Whom he did’ not fear to reprove severely, when he found them in fault. And said unto them, You exact usury every one of’his brother.] And that a very heavy one; jsuch as was used among the heathen, called centesima, the hundredth part, (ver. 11.) which was twelve peT cent. And I set a great assembly against them.] That he might Digitized<py put them to the greater shame. For this great assembly I take to be the whole body of the people, with their judges, as Bertram observes, de Repub. Jud. p. 17L. (See Ezra x. 8. 14.)
Nehemiah 5:8
And I said unto them, We, after our ability. Either he speaks of himself in the plural number, as great men are wont to do; or he means, he, with Ezra, and suchlike lovers of their country, had done what follows. Have redeemed our brethren the Jews, who were soldunto the heathen.] Had done their utmost’to deliver the’ Jews out of the captivity of Babylon; whereby they were restored both to their own country, and to their liberty. And perhaps they had with their own money procured the freedom of such as were slaves to some of the Babylonians; who would not part with them, when they desired to go to Jerusalem, unless they were paid the price of them, being their own proper goods. And will you even sell your brethren?] For that they might expect, since their parents could not redeem them. Or shall they be sold unto us?] Must I redeem them out of your hands, as I have helped to redeem some out of Babylon? Then they held their peace, and found nothing to answer.] There was such an express law of God against them, (Deut. xxiii. 19.) that they had nothing to reply; and therefore were silent, because they could neither deny the fact,; nor were able to justify it.
Nehemiah 5:9
And I said, It is not good that ye do. This encouraged him to proceed in his reprehension; and to tell them that they had committed a great sin. For that is the meaning of it is not good: a soft form of speech, used when they mean it is very bad; Prov. xvi. 29. and many other places. Ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God.] Being so lately delivered by him from oppression, and having so many enemies about them, to observe what they did. Because of the reproach of the heathen oar enemies?] Who might justly upbraid them witti inhumanity; and thereupon reproach their religion.
Nehemiah 5:10
I likewise, and my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money and corn. As a reward of their care and diligence in the public service. I pray you, let us leave off this usury.] But what then would become of the poor people, who were too much oppressed already? And therefore he beseeches them to leave off this usury; seeing he and his rather waved their own right, than demanded any thing for their labour and toil in the discharge of their offices.
Nehemiah 5:11
Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their olive-yards, and their houses. Though they had lent money upon the security of those lands, &c. yet, since they were the possessions of the poor, who were reduced to great straits, and could not pay them, he beseeches them to restore them, and that without delay. Also the hundredth part of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact’ of them.] The hundredth part was an usury then practised in those countries, as afterward among the Romans; which was the hundredth part of what was lent every month; so that everyyear they paid the eighth part of the principal: thus it is commonly said. But Salmasius hath observed, that in’ the eastern - 4TJ2 ) Microsoft ® 60G [chap. v. countries there were never any laws to determine what interest should bo taken for money lent for a day, or a week, or a month, or a year (for there were all these sorts of usury), but every one was left to demand what lie pleased; and according to what was agreed they paid for what was borrowed: therefore we cannot certainly tell whether this was heavy or light usury. But among the Greeks and Itonians there was a measure set (as he notes in his book de Foenore Trapezitico), and’E*carooT^, the hundredth part, was among the Greeks the lowest usury; though it was more or less in several ages, as he there shews, and in his book de Modis Usurarum; where he notes the difference between the Greeks and Romans in this matter, cap. 6. p. 230, &c.
Nehemiah 5:12
Thenjqid they, We tvill restore them. They readily consented to restore their lands, vineyards, and houses. And tvill require nothing of them.] Demand no interest for the money. So tvill we do as thou say est.] They so entirely agreed to what he desired, that it made a kind of jubilee among the people: for, no doubt, there was great joy when this was done. Tlien I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise.] While they were in this good’ mind he called the priests, and made them swear in their presence, who were witness to it, that they would keep their word.
Nehemiah 5:13
Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. He prayed God that they might lose all they had, who did not make good their promise; and predicted their poverty by an external sign, as the manner of the prophets was to do. For, folding up the skirts of his garment, and then scattering them abroad, he represented how God would cast them out of their possessions, and the fruit of their labours, who did not observe this oath. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the Lord.] God so wrought upon the people’s hearts, that even they who had been guilty of taking usury, consented to this imprecation, and wished the same mischief to themselves, if they did not do as he required. And, which was more, they praised God, who had given them such a governor, and put into them this good mind, to submit unto him. “And the people did according to this promise.] Made animmediate restitution of what had been mortgaged to them, and released them of their obligation for money.
Nehemiah 5:14
Moreover, from the time that I ivas appointed to be their governor in the land ofJudah,from the twentieth year even unto the two-and-thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years.] All which time he was not in Jirtlea; but he ordered him, who was his deputy, in his absence, to do as he did. I and my brethren.] He and his domestics; or those who, as I said, he deputed in his room.- JTave not eaten the bread of the governor.] Taken the allowances which were made to the governors, appointed by the kings of Persia, to provide them a table. Which it was but reasonable they should have; that they who did the public business should be maintained at the public charge. But he would not do that which was lawful, when he saw it would bo burdensome to his countrymen, and therefore lived upon his own estate which he had in Judea, and upon the salary which he had as cup-bearer to the king of Persia; in whose service, it is likely, he had enriched himself before he came to Jerusalem. Ver. “J 5. But the former governors, that had been before me, were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver.] Who these were he doth not say, but spares their names, it being sufficient to declare ho did not imitate them, whosoever they were. Nor doth he relate how much bread and wine they exacted, but only that they had besides forty shekels of silver every day, I suppose, to make provision of other things for their table. But from these words Scaliger concludes, that before Nehemiah and Ezra there had been other governors placed over them by the kings of Persia. And if we may believe the Jewish Annals> compiled by the author of Seder Olam Zuta, the first governor, Zerubbabel, returning from Jerusalem to Babylon, died there; and was succeeded in his government of Judea by his son \ Meshullam, and after him by his grandson Chananiah.. Yea, even their servants bare rule over the people.] They connived at the exactions of their servants, who demanded what they pleased. But so did not I, because of the fear of God.] It was not vain-glory that made him thus generous, but his love to God, and to his country: for beloved religion better than riches; and took not his own due, that the people might serve God more cheerfully.
Nehemiah 5:16
Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall. And all this while he took as much pains as any of them,” in building the wall of Jerusalem. Neither bought we any land.~] Which they might have done of the poor at an easy price, if they had desired wealth; but they would not make any advantage to themselves of other men’s necessities. And all my servants were gathered thither unto the work.] They were constantly employed also in the same work, and received no pay for their labour, though it could not be done without neglect of his private business.
Nehemiah 5:17
Moreover, there were at my table a hundred and fifty of the Jeivs and rulers, besides those that came unto us from among the heathen that are about us. This was the greater expense, because they were not inferior people that were entertained at his table, but persons of quality among the Jews and strangers who came about business, and, perhaps, brought him intelligence concerning the state of, the neighbouring heathen, and of their designs.
Nehemiah 5:18
Now, that which was prepared for me daily was one ox, and six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for^ me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine. This shews that he kept a noble house, as we speak; and, indeed, it was very becoming a great man to entertain great persons, both of his own country and straugers, with magnificence. Yet for all this required I not the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people.] They could not without great hardship maintain themselves. Ver. ID. Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.] He expected his reward only from God, who he hoped would shew him the same kindness that he had done for his people. There is