Nehemiah 5:12
New International Version
“We will give it back,” they said. “And we will not demand anything more from them. We will do as you say.” Then I summoned the priests and made the nobles and officials take an oath to do what they had promised.

New Living Translation
They replied, “We will give back everything and demand nothing more from the people. We will do as you say.” Then I called the priests and made the nobles and officials swear to do what they had promised.

English Standard Version
Then they said, “We will restore these and require nothing from them. We will do as you say.” And I called the priests and made them swear to do as they had promised.

Berean Standard Bible
“We will restore it,” they replied, “and will require nothing more from them. We will do as you say.” So I summoned the priests and required of the nobles and officials an oath that they would do what they had promised.

King James Bible
Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise.

New King James Version
So they said, “We will restore it, and will require nothing from them; we will do as you say.” Then I called the priests, and required an oath from them that they would do according to this promise.

New American Standard Bible
Then they said, “We will give it back and will require nothing from them; we will do exactly as you say.” So I called the priests and made them take an oath to act in accordance with this promise.

NASB 1995
Then they said, “We will give it back and will require nothing from them; we will do exactly as you say.” So I called the priests and took an oath from them that they would do according to this promise.

NASB 1977
Then they said, “We will give it back and will require nothing from them; we will do exactly as you say.” So I called the priests and took an oath from them that they would do according to this promise.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then they said, “We will give it back and will require nothing from them; we will do exactly as you are saying.” So I called the priests and made them swear that they would do according to this word.

Amplified Bible
Then they said, “We will give it back and not require anything from them. We will do exactly as you say.” Then I called the priests and took an oath from them that they would act in accordance with this promise.

Christian Standard Bible
They responded, “We will return these things and require nothing more from them. We will do as you say.” So I summoned the priests and made everyone take an oath to do this.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They responded: “We will return these things and require nothing more from them. We will do as you say.” So I summoned the priests and made everyone take an oath to do this.

American Standard Version
Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do, even as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they would do according to this promise.

Contemporary English Version
The leaders answered, "We will do whatever you say and return their property, without asking to be repaid." So I made the leaders promise in front of the priests to give back the property.

English Revised Version
Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do, even as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They responded, "We'll return it and not try to get it from them [again]. We'll do what you say." Then I called the priests and made them swear to do what they promised.

Good News Translation
The leaders replied, "We'll do as you say. We'll give the property back and not try to collect the debts." I called in the priests and made the leaders swear in front of them to keep the promise they had just made.

International Standard Version
They responded, "We will restore these things, and will assess no interest charges against them. We will do what you are requesting!" So I called the priests and made them take an oath to fulfill this promise.

Majority Standard Bible
“We will restore it,” they replied, “and will require nothing more from them. We will do as you say.” So I summoned the priests and required of the nobles and officials an oath that they would do what they had promised.

NET Bible
They replied, "We will return these things, and we will no longer demand anything from them. We will do just as you say." Then I called the priests and made the wealthy and the officials swear to do what had been promised.

New Heart English Bible
Then they said, "We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do, even as you say." Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they would do according to this promise.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they would do according to this promise.

World English Bible
Then they said, “We will restore them, and will require nothing of them. We will do so, even as you say.” Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they would do according to this promise.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And they say, “We give back, and we seek nothing from them; so we do as you are saying.” And I call the priests, and cause them to swear to do according to this thing;

Young's Literal Translation
And they say, 'We give back, and of them we seek nothing; so we do as thou art saying.' And I call the priests, and cause them to swear to do according to this thing;

Smith's Literal Translation
And they will say, We will turn back, and we will not seek from them; thus will we do as thou sayest And I shall call the priests and shall cause them to swear to do according to this word.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And they said: We will restore, and we will require nothing of them: and we will do as thou sayest. And I called the priests and took an oath of them, to do according to what I had said.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And they said: “We will restore it, and we will require nothing from them. And we will do just as you say.” And I called the priests, and I had them swear an oath, so that they would act in accord with what I had said.

New American Bible
They answered: “We will return everything and exact nothing further from them. We will do just what you ask.” Then I called for the priests to administer an oath to them that they would do as they had promised.

New Revised Standard Version
Then they said, “We will restore everything and demand nothing more from them. We will do as you say.” And I called the priests, and made them take an oath to do as they had promised.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then they said to me, We will do as you say. Then I called the priests, and said to them, This is the right thing to do, and I took an oath of them to do according to this promise. I did this also to the children of the common people.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they were saying to me: “Thus shall we do as you say! And I called the Priests and I said to them: ‘Thus it is right to do!’ And I took an oath of them to do according to this answer, also of the small boys.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then said they: 'We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do, even as thou sayest.' Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they said, We will restore, and we will not exact of them; we will do thus as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and bound them by oath to do according to this word.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Nehemiah Defends the Oppressed
11Please restore to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves, and houses, along with the percentage of the money, grain, new wine, and oil that you have been assessing them.” 12“We will restore it,” they replied, “and will require nothing more from them. We will do as you say.” So I summoned the priests and required of the nobles and officials an oath that they would do what they had promised. 13I also shook out the folds of my robe and said, “May God likewise shake out of His house and possession every man who does not keep this promise. May such a man be shaken out and have nothing!” The whole assembly said, “Amen,” and they praised the LORD. And the people did as they had promised.…

Cross References
Exodus 22:25-27
If you lend money to one of My people among you who is poor, you must not act as a creditor to him; you are not to charge him interest. / If you take your neighbor’s cloak as collateral, return it to him by sunset, / because his cloak is the only covering he has for his body. What else will he sleep in? And if he cries out to Me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.

Leviticus 25:35-37
Now if your countryman becomes destitute and cannot support himself among you, then you are to help him as you would a foreigner or stranger, so that he can continue to live among you. / Do not take any interest or profit from him, but fear your God, that your countryman may live among you. / You must not lend him your silver at interest or sell him your food for profit.

Deuteronomy 15:1-2
At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts. / This is the manner of remission: Every creditor shall cancel what he has loaned to his neighbor. He is not to collect anything from his neighbor or brother, because the LORD’s time of release has been proclaimed.

Deuteronomy 23:19-20
Do not charge your brother interest on money, food, or any other type of loan. / You may charge a foreigner interest, but not your brother, so that the LORD your God may bless you in everything to which you put your hand in the land that you are entering to possess.

Psalm 15:5
who lends his money without interest and refuses a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.

Ezekiel 18:7-8
He does not oppress another, but restores the pledge to the debtor. He does not commit robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing. / He does not engage in usury or take excess interest, but he withholds his hand from iniquity and executes true justice between men.

Ezekiel 18:16-17
He does not oppress another, or retain a pledge, or commit robbery. He gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing. / He withholds his hand from harming the poor and takes no interest or usury. He keeps My ordinances and follows My statutes. Such a man will not die for his father’s iniquity. He will surely live.

Isaiah 58:6-7
Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke? / Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Jeremiah 34:8-10
After King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people in Jerusalem to proclaim liberty, the word came to Jeremiah from the LORD / that each man should free his Hebrew slaves, both male and female, and no one should hold his fellow Jew in bondage. / So all the officials and all the people who entered into this covenant agreed that they would free their menservants and maidservants and no longer hold them in bondage. They obeyed and released them,

Amos 2:6-7
This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Israel, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they sell the righteous for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals. / They trample on the heads of the poor as on the dust of the earth; they push the needy out of their way. A man and his father have relations with the same girl and so profane My holy name.

Matthew 5:42
Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Luke 6:34-35
And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. / But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

Luke 19:8
But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, half of my possessions I give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will repay it fourfold.”

Acts 2:44-45
All the believers were together and had everything in common. / Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need.

Acts 4:32-35
The multitude of believers was one in heart and soul. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they owned. / With great power the apostles continued to give their testimony about the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And abundant grace was upon them all. / There were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds from the sales, ...


Treasury of Scripture

Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as you say. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise.

We will restore

2 Chronicles 28:14,15
So the armed men left the captives and the spoil before the princes and all the congregation…

Ezra 10:12
Then all the congregation answered and said with a loud voice, As thou hast said, so must we do.

Matthew 19:21,22
Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me…

I called

Nehemiah 10:29
They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes;

Nehemiah 13:25
And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.

2 Kings 23:2,3
And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the people, both small and great: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of the LORD…

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Nehemiah 5
1. The Jews complain of their debt, mortgage, and bondage
6. Nehemiah rebukes the usurers, and causes them to make a covenant of restitution
14. He forbears his own allowance, and keeps hospitality














We will restore it
This phrase reflects a commitment to restitution and justice. In the Hebrew context, the word for "restore" is often associated with returning something to its rightful state or owner. This is significant in the biblical narrative, as it underscores the importance of repentance and making amends. The act of restoration is not just a physical return of goods or property but also a spiritual and communal healing. In the historical context of Nehemiah, this commitment was crucial for rebuilding the community and ensuring social justice among the Israelites.

and require nothing more from them
This part of the verse highlights the principle of mercy and forgiveness. The decision to "require nothing more" indicates a relinquishment of any further claims or debts. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, debt slavery and heavy taxation were common, and this declaration would have been a radical departure from the norm. It reflects a deep understanding of God's mercy, as seen throughout Scripture, where God often calls His people to forgive debts and show compassion to one another.

We will do as you say
This phrase signifies obedience and submission to righteous leadership. In the context of Nehemiah, the people are responding to his call for justice and reform. The willingness to "do as you say" demonstrates a collective commitment to follow God's laws and the guidance of a godly leader. This obedience is crucial for the unity and spiritual health of the community. It also reflects the biblical principle that true leadership is marked by service and adherence to God's will.

So I summoned the priests
The summoning of the priests indicates the formal and sacred nature of the agreement. In ancient Israel, priests served as mediators between God and the people, and their involvement would lend spiritual authority to the proceedings. This action underscores the seriousness of the commitment and the desire to ensure that the promise is made before God. It also reflects the biblical theme of accountability, where leaders and people alike are held to their vows and responsibilities.

and required an oath from the officials and people
The requirement of an oath emphasizes the solemnity and binding nature of the promise. In biblical times, oaths were not taken lightly, as they invoked God's name and presence as a witness. This practice ensured that the commitment was not just a verbal agreement but a covenant with spiritual and communal implications. The involvement of both officials and people highlights the collective responsibility and unity required to uphold justice and righteousness in the community.

to do what they had promised
This final phrase reinforces the importance of integrity and follow-through. The call to "do what they had promised" is a reminder that words must be matched by actions. In the biblical narrative, God consistently calls His people to be faithful and true to their commitments. This principle is foundational to the Christian life, where believers are encouraged to live out their faith through deeds that reflect God's love and justice. The historical context of Nehemiah shows that such integrity was essential for the restoration and flourishing of the community.

(12) We will restore.--The promise was given to restore the mortgaged property and to require no more interest. But Nehemiah required an oath to give legal validity to the procedure, and the priests' presence gave it the highest religious sanction.

Verse 12. - Then they said, We will restore them. Nehemiah's eloquence prevailed, and brought about a "day of sacrifices." The nobles, one and all, agreed not only to give back the interest that they had illegally received on the corn and money borrowed of them, but to restore the forfeited lands and houses, which must have been of far greater value, and to which they were by law fully entitled. "We will restore them," they said, "and will (in future) require nothing of them, neither interest nor security, but will do as thou sayest." The promise was sweeping in its terms, and probably not insincere; but Nehemiah mistrusted all sudden impulses. He would have something more than a promise. Then called I the priests, and took an oath of them (the nobles), that they should do according to this promise. i.e. he swore the nobles, in the sacred presence of the priests, to the performance of the promise which they had made.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“We will restore [it],”
נָשִׁ֗יב (nā·šîḇ)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

they replied,
וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ (way·yō·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“and will require
נְבַקֵּ֔שׁ (nə·ḇaq·qêš)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 1245: To search out, to strive after

nothing
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

more from them.
וּמֵהֶם֙ (ū·mê·hem)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

We will do
נַעֲשֶׂ֔ה (na·‘ă·śeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 6213: To do, make

as
כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר (ka·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

you
אַתָּ֣ה (’at·tāh)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

say.”
אוֹמֵ֑ר (’ō·w·mêr)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

So I summoned
וָאֶקְרָא֙ (wā·’eq·rā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

the priests
הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים (hak·kō·hă·nîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3548: Priest

and required [of the nobles and officials] an oath that they
וָֽאַשְׁבִּיעֵ֔ם (wā·’aš·bî·‘êm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 7650: To seven oneself, swear

would do
לַעֲשׂ֖וֹת (la·‘ă·śō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6213: To do, make

what they had promised.
כַּדָּבָ֥ר (kad·dā·ḇār)
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause


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OT History: Nehemiah 5:12 Then said they We will restore them (Neh Ne)
Nehemiah 5:11
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