Nehemiah 5:11

Please 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."

Study Bible

Please restore to them
The Hebrew word for "restore" is "shuv," which means to return or bring back. In the context of Nehemiah, this plea is not just a call for physical restitution but a spiritual and moral appeal. Nehemiah is urging the nobles and officials to repent and correct their wrongs, reflecting a broader biblical theme of repentance and restoration. This act of restoration is a reflection of God's justice and mercy, emphasizing the importance of righting wrongs and restoring relationships within the community.

this very day
The urgency in "this very day" underscores the immediacy of justice. Nehemiah is not asking for a gradual change but an immediate action. This reflects the biblical principle that justice delayed is justice denied. The call for immediate action is a reminder of the importance of timely obedience to God's commands and the need for prompt rectification of injustices.

their fields, vineyards, olive groves, and houses
These items represent the basic means of livelihood and sustenance for the people. In ancient Israel, land was not just property but a God-given inheritance, crucial for survival and prosperity. The loss of these assets due to exploitation was a severe injustice. Nehemiah's demand for their return highlights the biblical concern for economic justice and the protection of the vulnerable. It also reflects the Jubilee principles found in Leviticus, where land was to be returned to its original owners, ensuring that families could sustain themselves.

along with the usury that you are charging them
The term "usury" refers to the excessive interest charged on loans, which was explicitly prohibited among the Israelites (Exodus 22:25, Leviticus 25:36-37). The Hebrew word "neshek" implies a biting or oppressive interest. Nehemiah's rebuke of usury is a call to adhere to God's laws, which promote fairness and compassion. This reflects the biblical ethic of caring for one's neighbor and ensuring that financial practices do not exploit the poor.

the hundredth part of the money, grain, new wine, and oil
The "hundredth part" likely refers to the interest rate of one percent per month, which, though seemingly small, compounded to a significant burden over time. The mention of "money, grain, new wine, and oil" encompasses the essential commodities of the time, indicating that the people's basic needs were being exploited. Nehemiah's call to return these items is a demand for economic justice and a return to covenantal faithfulness, ensuring that the community lives in accordance with God's laws and principles of equity and care for one another.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Nehemiah
The central figure in the book, Nehemiah is a Jewish leader and cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes. He is known for his leadership in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem and addressing social injustices among the Israelites.

2. The Jewish Nobles and Officials
These are the wealthy and influential members of the Jewish community who were exploiting their fellow Jews by charging excessive interest and taking their lands and properties as collateral.

3. The Oppressed Jews
These are the poorer members of the Jewish community who had to mortgage their fields, vineyards, and homes to buy grain during a famine and pay taxes to the king.

4. 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.

5. The Event of Restitution
Nehemiah's call for the nobles and officials to restore the properties and stop charging usury marks a pivotal moment of social justice and reform.

Teaching Points

Restoration and Repentance
Nehemiah's demand for the restoration of properties and cessation of usury is a call to repentance and righting wrongs. Believers are encouraged to examine their own lives for areas where they may need to make restitution or seek forgiveness.

Social Justice and Compassion
The passage highlights the importance of social justice and compassion within the community of faith. Christians are called to advocate for the oppressed and ensure fair treatment for all.

Leadership and Accountability
Nehemiah's leadership demonstrates the importance of holding others accountable to God's standards. Leaders in the church and community should be courageous in addressing injustices and leading by example.

Generosity and Stewardship
The call to restore what was taken unjustly encourages believers to practice generosity and wise stewardship of resources, recognizing that all we have is ultimately God's.

Community and Unity
The restoration of properties and cessation of usury helped to restore unity among the Israelites. Believers are reminded of the importance of maintaining unity and supporting one another in the body of Christ.

Bible Study Questions

1. What specific actions did Nehemiah take to address the injustices among the Israelites, and how can we apply similar principles in our communities today?

2. How does the prohibition of usury in Nehemiah 5:11 relate to the broader biblical teachings on financial ethics and compassion?

3. In what ways can we, as individuals and as a church, advocate for social justice and support those who are oppressed or marginalized?

4. How can we ensure that our leadership, whether in the church or in other areas of life, reflects the accountability and integrity demonstrated by Nehemiah?

5. Reflect on a time when you had to make restitution or seek forgiveness. How did that experience impact your relationship with God and others?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Exodus 22:25
This verse prohibits charging interest to fellow Israelites, highlighting the importance of compassion and fairness within the community.

Leviticus 25:35-37
These verses emphasize the need to support fellow Israelites in financial difficulty without profiting from their hardship, reinforcing the call for justice and mercy.

Proverbs 22:22-23
These verses warn against exploiting the poor, promising that the Lord will plead their cause and bring justice.