Nehemiah 5:7
◄  Nehemiah 5:7  ►
New International Version (©2011)
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

New Living Translation (©2007)
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.

English Standard Version (©2001)
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

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
I consulted with myself and contended with the nobles and the rulers and said to them, "You are exacting usury, each from his brother!" Therefore, I held a great assembly against them.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
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.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
After seriously considering the matter, I accused the nobles and officials, saying to them, "Each of you is charging his countrymen interest." So I called a large assembly against them

International Standard Version (©2012)
So after thinking it over carefully, I accused the officials and nobles openly, "Every one of you is charging your fellow countrymen interest!" So I opened a public investigation against them.

NET Bible (©2006)
I considered these things carefully and then registered a complaint with the wealthy and the officials. I said to them, "Each one of you is seizing the collateral from your own countrymen!" Because of them I called for a great public assembly.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
After thinking it over, I confronted the nobles and the leaders. I told them, "You are charging interest on loans made to your own relatives." I arranged for a large meeting to deal with them.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, you exact interest, every one from his brother. And I held a great assembly against them.

American King James Version
Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said to them, You exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them.

American Standard Version
Then I consulted with myself, and contended with the nobles and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I held a great assembly against them.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And my heart thought with myself: and I rebuked the nobles and magistrates, and said to them: Do you every one ex- act usury of your brethren ? And I gathered together a great assembly against them,

Darby Bible Translation
And I consulted with myself; and I remonstrated with the nobles and the rulers, and said to them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother! And I set a great assembly against them.

English Revised Version
Then I consulted with myself, and contended with the nobles and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I held a great assembly against them.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said to them, Ye exact interest, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them.

World English Bible
Then I consulted with myself, and contended with the nobles and the rulers, and said to them, "You exact usury, everyone of his brother." I held a great assembly against them.

Young's Literal Translation
and my heart reigneth over me, and I strive with the freemen, and with the prefects, and say to them, 'Usury one upon another ye are exacting;' and I set against them a great assembly,

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

5:6-13 Nehemiah knew that, if he built Jerusalem's walls ever so high, so thick, or so strong, the city could not be safe while there were abuses. The right way to reform men's lives, is to convince their consciences. If you walk in the fear of God, you will not be either covetous of worldly gain, or cruel toward your brethren. Nothing exposes religion more to reproach, than the worldliness and hard-heartedness of the professors of it. Those that rigorously insist upon their right, with a very ill grace try to persuade others to give up theirs. In reasoning with selfish people, it is good to contrast their conduct with that of others who are liberal; but it is best to point to His example, who though he was rich, yet for our sakes became poor, that we, through his poverty, might be rich, 2Co 8:9. They did according to promise. Good promises are good things, but good performances are better.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 7. - I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury. So the Vulgate, and most commentators; but Bertheau has shown that the expression used, which is peculiar to Nehemiah, cannot have this meaning, since it is not the taking of usury that has been complained of, or that Nehemiah is especially anxious to stop, but the lending of money upon the security of lands, houses, or children, with its consequences, the forfeiture of the lands and houses, with the enslavement of the children. He therefore translates, "I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye lend upon pledge." I set a great assembly against them. It is evident that Nehemiah's rebuke had no effect. The nobles gave him no reason to think that they would change their conduct. He was therefore compelled to bring the matter before the people; not that they had any legal power, but he felt that the nobles might be ashamed or afraid to continue their oppression when it was openly denounced by the chief civil ruler in the hearing of a great assembly of their countrymen.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Then I consulted with myself,.... What was to be done, what method to be taken to redress such grievances:

and I rebuked the nobles and the rulers; who were the men that monopolized the corn in this dear season, and sold it at an extravagant price, and had got the lands, vineyards, and houses of the poor mortgaged to them, and to whom they had lent money on usury:

and said unto them, you exact usury everyone of his brother; which was contrary to the express law of God, Exodus 22:25 and which even the Indians (h) strictly observed, who neither let out money, nor took any upon usury:

and I set a great assembly against them; either of the poor that were oppressed, who brought in their accusations and complaints against them, or a large body of the people, who were not guilty, to hear them, that the delinquents might be put to public shame; or he called a large court of judicature, and set them to examine these allegations, and to do justice.

(h) Aelian. Var. Hist. l. 4. c. 1.

Nehemiah 5:7 Parallel Commentaries

Nehemiah 5:7 NIV
Nehemiah 5:7 NLT
Nehemiah 5:7 ESV
Nehemiah 5:7 NASB
Nehemiah 5:7 KJV

Bible Hub: Online Parallel Bible


Nehemiah Defends the Oppressed
…6And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words. 7Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said to them, You exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them. 8And I said to them, We after our ability have redeemed our brothers the Jews, which were sold to the heathen; and will you even sell your brothers? or shall they be sold to us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer. …

Exodus 22:25 "If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not treat it like a business deal; charge no interest.
Leviticus 25:36 Do not take interest or any profit from them, but fear your God, so that they may continue to live among you.
Deuteronomy 23:19 Do not charge a fellow Israelite interest, whether on money or food or anything else that may earn interest.
Deuteronomy 23:20 You may charge a foreigner interest, but not a fellow Israelite, so that the LORD your God may bless you in everything you put your hand to in the land you are entering to possess.
Psalm 109:11 May a creditor seize all he has; may strangers plunder the fruits of his labor.

Accused Assembly Charges Chiefs Consulted Contended Counsel Countryman Countrymen Deal Exact Exacting Great Held Interest Lend Meeting Mind Nobles Officials Pledge Pondered Protest Rebuked Remonstrated Rulers Together Turning Usury

Nehemiah Chapter 5 Verse 7

Alphabetical: a accused against and are assembly brother called consulted contended countrymen deal each exacting from great held his I in large meeting mind my myself nobles officials own pondered rulers said So the them then Therefore to together told usury with You your

OT History: Nehemiah 5:7 Then I consulted with myself and contended (Neh Ne) Christian Bible Study Resources, Dictionary, Concordance and Search Tools

Nehemiah 5:7 Bible Apps
Nehemiah 5:7 Bible Suite
Nehemiah 5:7 Biblia Paralela
Nehemiah 5:7 Chinese Bible
Nehemiah 5:7 French Bible
Nehemiah 5:7 German Bible