Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version and said: “As far as possible, we have bought back our fellow Jews who were sold to the Gentiles. Now you are selling your own people, only for them to be sold back to us!” They kept quiet, because they could find nothing to say. New Living Translation At the meeting I said to them, “We are doing all we can to redeem our Jewish relatives who have had to sell themselves to pagan foreigners, but you are selling them back into slavery again. How often must we redeem them?” And they had nothing to say in their defense. English Standard Version and said to them, “We, as far as we are able, have bought back our Jewish brothers who have been sold to the nations, but you even sell your brothers that they may be sold to us!” They were silent and could not find a word to say. Berean Standard Bible and said, “We have done our best to buy back our Jewish brothers who were sold to foreigners, but now you are selling your own brothers, that they may be sold back to us!” But they remained silent, for they could find nothing to say. Berean Literal Bible and I said to them, “We have redeemed our brothers the Jews, who were sold to the nations, according to our ability. And you⁺ indeed are selling your⁺ brothers, that they may be sold back to us!” And they were silenced, and they found not a word. King James Bible And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer. New King James Version And I said to them, “According to our ability we have redeemed our Jewish brethren who were sold to the nations. Now indeed, will you even sell your brethren? Or should they be sold to us?” Then they were silenced and found nothing to say. New American Standard Bible And I said to them, “We, according to our ability, have redeemed our Jewish brothers who were sold to the nations; now would you even sell your brothers that they may be sold to us?” Then they were silent and could not find a word to say. NASB 1995 I said to them, “We according to our ability have redeemed our Jewish brothers who were sold to the nations; now would you even sell your brothers that they may be sold to us?” Then they were silent and could not find a word to say. NASB 1977 And I said to them, “We according to our ability have redeemed our Jewish brothers who were sold to the nations; now would you even sell your brothers that they may be sold to us?” Then they were silent and could not find a word to say. Legacy Standard Bible I said to them, “We, according to our ability, have bought back our Jewish brothers who were sold to the nations; and now would you also sell your brothers that they may be sold to us?” Then they were silent and could not find a word to say. Amplified Bible I said to them, “According to our ability we have redeemed (purchased back) our Jewish brothers who were sold to the [Gentile] nations; now would you even sell your brothers, that they might be sold to us?” Then they were silent and could not find a [single] word to say. Berean Annotated Bible and said, “We have done our best to buy back our Jewish brothers who were sold to foreigners (nations), but now you⁺ are selling your⁺ own brothers, that they may be sold back to us! But they remained silent, for they could find nothing to say. Christian Standard Bible and said, “We have done our best to buy back our Jewish countrymen who were sold to foreigners, but now you sell your own countrymen, and we have to buy them back.” They remained silent and could not say a word. Holman Christian Standard Bible and said, “We have done our best to buy back our Jewish countrymen who were sold to foreigners, but now you sell your own countrymen, and we have to buy them back.” They remained silent and could not say a word. American Standard Version And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, that were sold unto the nations; and would ye even sell your brethren, and should they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found never a word. Contemporary English Version by saying, "We have tried to buy back all of our people who were sold into exile. But here you are, selling more of them for us to buy back!" The officials and leaders did not say a word, because they knew this was true. English Revised Version And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and would ye even sell your brethren, and should they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found never a word. GOD'S WORD® Translation Then I told them, "We have done our best to buy back our Jewish relatives who had been sold to other nations. Now you are selling your Jewish relatives so that we have to buy them back again!" They were unable to say anything. Good News Translation and said, "As far as we have been able, we have been buying back our Jewish relatives who had to sell themselves to foreigners. Now you are forcing your own relatives to sell themselves to you, their own people!" The leaders were silent and could find nothing to say. International Standard Version I accused them, "To the best of our ability, we've been buying back our fellow Jews who had been sold to foreigners. Even now you're selling your fellow countrymen, only for them to be sold back to us!" They kept quiet and never spoke a word. NET Bible I said to them, "To the extent possible we have bought back our fellow Jews who had been sold to the Gentiles. But now you yourselves want to sell your own countrymen, so that we can then buy them back!" They were utterly silent, and could find nothing to say. New Heart English Bible I said to them, "We, after our ability, have redeemed our brothers the Jews that were sold to the nations; and would you even sell your brothers, and should they be sold to us?" Then they held their peace, and found never a word. Webster's Bible Translation And I said to them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, who were sold to the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold to us? Then they held their peace, and found nothing to answer. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bibleand said, “We have done our best to buy back our Jewish brothers who were sold to foreigners, but now you are selling your own brothers, that they may be sold back to us!” But they remained silent, for they could find nothing to say. World English Bible I said to them, “We, after our ability, have redeemed our brothers the Jews that were sold to the nations; and would you even sell your brothers, and should they be sold to us?” Then they held their peace, and found not a word to say. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand say to them, “We have acquired our brothers the Jews, those sold to the nations, according to the ability that [is] in us, and you also sell your brothers, and they have been sold to us!” And they are silent, and have not found a word. Berean Literal Bible and I said to them, “We have redeemed our brothers the Jews, who were sold to the nations, according to our ability. And you⁺ indeed are selling your⁺ brothers, that they may be sold back to us!” And they were silenced, and they found not a word. Young's Literal Translation and say to them, 'We have acquired our brethren the Jews, those sold to the nations, according to the ability that is in us, and ye also sell your brethren, and they have been sold to us!' and they are silent, and have not found a word. Smith's Literal Translation And saying to them, We bought off our brethren the Jews, being sold to the nations; according to the sufficiency in us and also will ye sell your brethren? and were they sold to us? And they will be silent, and they found not a word. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd I said to them: We, as you know, have redeemed according to our ability our brethren the Jews, that were sold to the Gentiles: and will you then sell your brethren, for us to redeem them ? And they held their peace, and found not what to answer. Catholic Public Domain Version And I said to them: “As you know, in accord with what was possible for us, we have redeemed our brothers, the Jews, who had been sold to the Gentiles. And yet you now sell your brothers, and we must redeem them?” And they were silent, nor did they find anything to answer. New American Bible saying to them: “As far as we were able, we bought back our Jewish kindred who had been sold to Gentiles; you, however, are selling your own kindred, to have them bought back by us.” They remained silent, for they could find no answer. New Revised Standard Version and said to them, “As far as we were able, we have bought back our Jewish kindred who had been sold to other nations; but now you are selling your own kin, who must then be bought back by us!” They were silent, and could not find a word to say. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWe are redeeming our brethren the Jews, who were sold to the nations, both they and their children, and will you even take a man in pledge for his brother? Therefore I shouted at them, and said to them, Will you also sell your brethren? Then they were silent, and did not answer me. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And I said to them: “We are purchasing our brethren the Judeans who were sold to those nations, and their sons, are you taking captive each man his brother?” Because of this, I gave a cry against them, and I said to them: “Shall you also sell your brothers?” And they kept silent and did not give me an answer. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And I said unto them: 'We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, that sold themselves unto the heathen; and would ye nevertheless sell your brethren, and should they sell themselves unto us?' Then held they their peace, and found never a word. Brenton Septuagint Translation and I said to them, We of our free-will have redeemed our brethren the Jews that were sold to the Gentiles; and do ye sell your brethren? and shall they be delivered to us? And they were silent, and found no answer. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Nehemiah Defends the Oppressed…7and after serious thought I rebuked the nobles and officials, saying, “You are exacting usury from your own brothers!” So I called a large assembly against them 8and said, “We have done our best to buy back our Jewish brothers who were sold to foreigners, but now you are selling your own brothers, that they may be sold back to us!” But they remained silent, for they could find nothing to say. 9So 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 foreign enemies?… Cross References and said, “We have done our best to buy back our Jewish brothers who were sold to foreigners, Leviticus 25:47-49 If a foreigner residing among you prospers, but your countryman dwelling near him becomes destitute and sells himself to the foreigner or to a member of his clan, / he retains the right of redemption after he has sold himself. One of his brothers may redeem him: / either his uncle or cousin or any close relative from his clan may redeem him. Or if he prospers, he may redeem himself. Deuteronomy 15:12-15 If a fellow Hebrew, a man or a woman, is sold to you and serves you six years, then in the seventh year you must set him free. / And when you release him, do not send him away empty-handed. / You are to furnish him liberally from your flock, your threshing floor, and your winepress. You shall give to him as the LORD your God has blessed you. … Jeremiah 34:13-14 “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I made a covenant with your forefathers when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, saying: / Every seventh year, each of you must free his Hebrew brother who has sold himself to you. He may serve you six years, but then you must let him go free. But your fathers did not listen or incline their ear. but now you are selling your own brothers, Deuteronomy 24:7 If a man is caught kidnapping one of his Israelite brothers, whether he treats him as a slave or sells him, the kidnapper must die. So you must purge the evil from among you. Exodus 21:16 Whoever kidnaps another man must be put to death, whether he sells him or the man is found in his possession. Amos 2:6 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. that they may be sold back to us!” Leviticus 25:50-52 He and his purchaser will then count the time from the year he sold himself up to the Year of Jubilee. The price of his sale will be determined by the number of years, based on the daily wages of a hired hand. / If many years remain, he must pay for his redemption in proportion to his purchase price. / If only a few years remain until the Year of Jubilee, he is to calculate and pay his redemption according to his remaining years. Deuteronomy 28:68 The LORD will return you to Egypt in ships by a route that I said you should never see again. There you will sell yourselves to your enemies as male and female slaves, but no one will buy you.” Joel 3:6 You sold the people of Judah and Jerusalem to the Greeks, to send them far from their homeland. But they remained silent, Mark 3:4 And He asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?” But they were silent. Luke 14:4 But they remained silent. Then Jesus took hold of the man, healed him, and sent him on his way. Job 32:15-16 Job’s friends are dismayed, with no more to say; words have escaped them. / Must I wait, now that they are silent, now that they stand and no longer reply? for they could find nothing to say. Matthew 22:46 No one was able to answer a word, and from that day on no one dared to question Him any further. Luke 20:26 And they were unable to trap Him in His words before the people. And amazed at His answer, they fell silent. Mark 12:34 When Jesus saw that the man had answered wisely, He said, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And no one dared to question Him any further. Leviticus 25:35-43 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. … Treasury of Scripture And 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. We after Matthew 25:15,29 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey… 2 Corinthians 8:12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. redeemed Leviticus 25:47-49 And if a sojourner or stranger wax rich by thee, and thy brother that dwelleth by him wax poor, and sell himself unto the stranger or sojourner by thee, or to the stock of the stranger's family: … sell your Exodus 21:16 And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death. Deuteronomy 24:7 If a man be found stealing any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and maketh merchandise of him, or selleth him; then that thief shall die; and thou shalt put evil away from among you. shall they Romans 14:15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. 1 Corinthians 8:11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? held Job 29:10 The nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth. Job 32:15 They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking. Matthew 22:12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Jump to Previous Ability Able Bought Far Find Found Heathen Held Jewish Jews Nations Nevertheless Peace Redeemed Sell Silent Sold Themselves WordJump to Next Ability Able Bought Far Find Found Heathen Held Jewish Jews Nations Nevertheless Peace Redeemed Sell Silent Sold Themselves WordNehemiah 5 1. The Jews complain of their debt, mortgage, and bondage6. Nehemiah rebukes the usurers, and causes them to make a covenant of restitution 14. He forbears his own allowance, and keeps hospitality and said, “We have done our best to buy back our Jewish brothers who were sold to foreigners, This phrase highlights Nehemiah's efforts to redeem fellow Jews who had been sold into slavery to foreign nations. The practice of redeeming or buying back individuals is rooted in the Levitical law (Leviticus 25:47-49), which provided a means for relatives to redeem family members who had fallen into servitude. This reflects the communal responsibility and solidarity among the Israelites. Historically, during the Babylonian exile, many Jews were taken as captives and sold. Nehemiah's actions demonstrate a commitment to restoring the community and upholding the dignity of his people. but now you are selling your own brothers, that they may be sold back to us!” But they remained silent, for they could find nothing to say. Persons / Places / Events 1. NehemiahThe central figure in the book, Nehemiah was a cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes and later became the governor of Judah. He led the efforts to rebuild Jerusalem's walls and reform the community. 2. Jewish Brothers Refers to the fellow Israelites who were being sold into slavery due to economic hardship. Nehemiah and others had been working to redeem them from Gentile owners. 3. Gentiles Non-Jewish people who, in this context, had purchased Jewish individuals as slaves. The term highlights the external pressures and challenges faced by the Jewish community. 4. The Nobles and Officials Jewish leaders who were exploiting their fellow Jews by lending money at interest and taking their lands and children as collateral, leading to their enslavement. 5. Jerusalem The city where these events take place, significant as the center of Jewish life and worship, and the focus of Nehemiah's rebuilding efforts. Teaching Points The Call to Justice and CompassionNehemiah's confrontation with the nobles and officials highlights the importance of justice and compassion within the community of believers. We are called to treat each other with fairness and love, reflecting God's character. The Dangers of Exploitation The exploitation of the vulnerable for personal gain is condemned. Believers must be vigilant against practices that harm others, especially within the faith community. The Power of Silence and Conviction The nobles' silence in response to Nehemiah's rebuke shows the power of truth to convict. We should be open to correction and willing to change when confronted with our wrongdoings. Redemption and Restoration Nehemiah's efforts to redeem his fellow Jews from slavery illustrate the broader biblical theme of redemption. As believers, we are called to participate in God's work of restoring and redeeming lives. Community Responsibility The passage underscores the responsibility of the community to care for its members. We are to support and uplift one another, ensuring that no one is left in need or oppression. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Nehemiah 5:8?2. How does Nehemiah 5:8 address the issue of exploiting fellow believers today? 3. What does Nehemiah 5:8 teach about the importance of community accountability? 4. How can we apply Nehemiah's leadership example in our church communities? 5. What scriptural connections exist between Nehemiah 5:8 and Jesus' teachings on justice? 6. How can we ensure our actions align with Nehemiah's call to righteousness? 7. How does Nehemiah 5:8 address the issue of slavery among fellow Israelites? 8. What historical context led to the situation described in Nehemiah 5:8? 9. How does Nehemiah 5:8 reflect on social justice in biblical times? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Nehemiah 5? 11. Esther 5:1 - How plausible is it that a Jewish foreigner could have risen to queen with no corroborating Persian records? 12. (Ezra 3:8-9) Why would Levites, rather than skilled foremen or Persian officials, be in charge of supervising construction under Persian rule? 13. How do we reconcile God's promise never to forsake Israel (Deut. 31:6) with the nation's repeated historical exiles and oppressions? 14. How can we find joy and unity in Christ? What Does Nehemiah 5:8 Mean We have done our best to buy back our Jewish brothersNehemiah opens his rebuke by reminding the nobles of recent, literal acts of redemption. • Earlier returns from exile left many impoverished; family members were forced into slavery for debt (Nehemiah 5:1-5). • Faithful Israelites, including Nehemiah, used their own funds to redeem those relatives—exactly what Leviticus 25:47-49 commands. • This tangible, costly obedience mirrors God’s heart in Isaiah 35:10, where the ransomed of the LORD are gathered home. The phrase underlines sacrificial love that restores dignity to fellow believers. who were sold to foreigners • The buyers were “foreigners,” Persians or surrounding peoples, outsiders to the covenant community. • Such sale placed Jews under pagan masters, contradicting Exodus 19:5-6, where Israel is to be a “kingdom of priests.” • Deuteronomy 15:12-15 had already limited Hebrew servitude; selling brethren to strangers defied that clear law. Nehemiah recalls this shameful history so the nobles cannot plead ignorance. but now you are selling your own brothers • The present tense accusation shows the sin is active and deliberate. • Exodus 21:16 calls man-stealing a capital crime; Amos 2:6-8 condemns those “who sell the righteous for silver.” • By profiteering off fellow Jews, the nobles imitate the very nations from whom they were redeemed, reversing God’s deliverance (Romans 6:17-18). Nehemiah exposes hypocrisy: they boast of covenant status while behaving like oppressors. that they may be sold back to us! • Bitter irony: the same community that scraped together money to free debt-slaves must now pay twice because of internal greed. • Proverbs 14:31 warns, “Whoever oppresses the poor taunts his Maker,” and here the mockery is multiplied; the poor become chips in a marketplace run by their own kin. • The cycle would drain resources needed for rebuilding the wall (Nehemiah 4:6) and derail the mission. Nehemiah’s exclamation forces the leaders to see how their actions sabotage both people and purpose. But they remained silent, for they could find nothing to say • Conviction falls; like the adulterous woman’s accusers in John 8:9, the nobles have no defense. • Proverbs 21:30 declares, “No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel can prevail against the LORD.” Their silence confirms the charge. • Genuine repentance begins when excuses stop (Psalm 32:3-5). The hush in the room signals an opening for reform, which Nehemiah seizes in the verses that follow. summary Nehemiah 5:8 lays out a stark contrast between covenantal redemption and covenant-breaking exploitation. God’s people had faithfully ransomed their kin from pagan bondage, fulfilling the law of brotherly love. Yet their own nobles reversed that mercy by reselling Jews into debt slavery, forcing a second ransom and hindering God’s work. Confronted with undeniable hypocrisy, the leaders fall silent, acknowledging guilt. The verse therefore highlights the call to consistent, sacrificial care for fellow believers, refusing to profit from their hardship and instead reflecting the redeeming character of God. (8) Will ye even sell your brethren?--The appeal is a strong one. Nehemiah and his friends had redeemed Jews from the heathen with money; these men had caused Jews to be sold to Jews.Nothing to answer.--They might have replied had the letter of the law been urged; but this argument puts them to shame. Verse 8. - We after our ability have redeemed our brethren. "We," here, may be either "we Jews of the captivity," in contrast with "you who have long returned from it," or "we of my house and household" (equivalent to the "I, my brethren, and my servants" of ver. 10), in contrast with "you rich Jews not of my household." Nehemiah must appeal to a well-known fact, that he and others had been in the habit of redeeming enslaved Jews among the heathen. Will ye even sell your brethren? An argumenturn ad verecundiam. Will ye do the exact opposite? Cause your brethren to be sold into slavery? And not to heathen masters, but to men of their own nation, unto us? Roman creditors, if they sold their debtor slaves, were required by law to sell them across the Tiber - to men of a different race. It was felt to add to the indignity of the slave condition that one should have to serve one's own countryman, recently one's equal and (perhaps) acquaintance. They held their peace, and found nothing to answer. Or, "found never a word. The argument told. It admitted of no reply. The nobles were ashamed, and had not a word to say.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew and said,וָאֹמְרָ֣ה (wā·’ō·mə·rāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “We אֲנַ֣חְנוּ (’ă·naḥ·nū) Pronoun - first person common plural Strong's 587: We have done our best כְּדֵ֣י (kə·ḏê) Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1767: Sufficiency, enough to buy back קָ֠נִינוּ (qā·nî·nū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural Strong's 7069: To erect, create, to procure, by purchase, to own our Jewish הַיְּהוּדִ֜ים (hay·yə·hū·ḏîm) Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural Strong's 3064: Jews -- Jewish brothers אַחֵ֨ינוּ (’a·ḥê·nū) Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural Strong's 251: A brother, ) who were sold הַנִּמְכָּרִ֤ים (han·nim·kā·rîm) Article | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 4376: To sell to foreigners, לַגּוֹיִם֙ (lag·gō·w·yim) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts but now you אַתֶּ֛ם (’at·tem) Pronoun - second person masculine plural Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you are selling תִּמְכְּר֥וּ (tim·kə·rū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 4376: To sell your own brothers, אֲחֵיכֶ֖ם (’ă·ḥê·ḵem) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural Strong's 251: A brother, ) that they may be sold back וְנִמְכְּרוּ־ (wə·nim·kə·rū-) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural Strong's 4376: To sell to us!” לָ֑נוּ (lā·nū) Preposition | first person common plural Strong's Hebrew But they remained silent, וַֽיַּחֲרִ֔ישׁוּ (way·ya·ḥă·rî·šū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 2790: To cut in, engrave, plow, devise for they could find מָצְא֖וּ (mā·ṣə·’ū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present nothing וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no to say. דָּבָֽר׃ (dā·ḇār) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue Links Nehemiah 5:8 NIVNehemiah 5:8 NLT Nehemiah 5:8 ESV Nehemiah 5:8 NASB Nehemiah 5:8 KJV Nehemiah 5:8 BibleApps.com Nehemiah 5:8 Biblia Paralela Nehemiah 5:8 Chinese Bible Nehemiah 5:8 French Bible Nehemiah 5:8 Catholic Bible OT History: Nehemiah 5:8 I said to them We after our (Neh Ne) |
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