ScriptureDepth's study of Nehemiah 5
“Also I said, “The thing that you do is not good. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God, because of the reproach of the nations our enemies?”
Nehemiah 5:9
Nehemiah speaks to the nobles and rulers, confronting their wrongdoing in exploiting their own people, which presses them to reconsider their actions against the 'fear of our God'.
What Nehemiah 5 is about
A great cry arose from the people and their wives against their fellow Jews because of the famine. Some complained about needing grain to eat and live (vv. 1-2). Others said they were mortgaging their fields and vineyards and borrowing money for the king's tribute (vv. 3-4). Nehemiah became very angry upon hearing their cries and confronted the nobles about their usury (vv. 6-7). He reminded them of their redemption of fellow Jews sold to other nations and urged them to stop this behavior (vv. 8-10). Nehemiah called for the restoration of their fields and the cancellation of debts (vv. 11-12). The nobles agreed, and Nehemiah made them take an oath to uphold this promise (vv. 12-13). He also shared his own example of leadership, stating he did not take the governor's pay and worked on the wall (vv. 14-18). Nehemiah concluded with a prayer for remembrance of his actions (v. 19).
Nehemiah’s actions and prayer leave the reader considering the need for justice and care for the vulnerable.
Nehemiah 5 at a glance
- Nehemiah 5:1–5The People's Cry for Help
- Nehemiah 5:6–9Nehemiah's Anger and Confrontation
- Nehemiah 5:10–13Call to Stop Usury
- Nehemiah 5:14–18Nehemiah's Leadership Example
- Nehemiah 5:19Nehemiah's Prayer for Remembrance
Key verse: Nehemiah 5:9
One thing to notice
The people cry out about their oppression due to famine and high interest rates. They detail their plight, stating, 'We are mortgaging our fields' (v. 3) and 'We have borrowed money' (v. 4). The people express their inability to support their families amid these hardships.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Nehemiah 5 (WEB)
The People's Cry for Help Nehemiah 5:1–5
1Verse 1. Then there arose a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brothers the Jews. 2Verse 2. For there were that said, “We, our sons and our daughters, are many. Let us get grain, that we may eat and live.” 3Verse 3. There were also some that said, “We are mortgaging our fields, and our vineyards, and our houses. Let us get grain, because of the famine.” 4Verse 4. There were also some who said, “We have borrowed money for the king’s tribute using our fields and our vineyards as collateral. 5Verse 5. Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers, our children as their children. Behold, we bring our sons and our daughters into bondage to be servants, and some of our daughters have been brought into bondage. It is also not in our power to help it, because other men have our fields and our vineyards.”
Nehemiah's Anger and Confrontation Nehemiah 5:6–9
6Verse 6. I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words. 7Verse 7. 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. 8Verse 8. 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. 9Verse 9. Also I said, “The thing that you do is not good. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God, because of the reproach of the nations our enemies?
Call to Stop Usury Nehemiah 5:10–13
10Verse 10. I likewise, my brothers and my servants, lend them money and grain. Please let us stop this usury. 11Verse 11. Please restore to them, even today, their fields, their vineyards, their olive groves, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the grain, the new wine, and the oil, that you are charging them.” 12Verse 12. 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. 13Verse 13. Also I shook out my lap, and said, “So may God shake out every man from his house, and from his labor, that doesn’t perform this promise; even be he shaken out, and emptied like this.” All the assembly said, “Amen,” and praised Yahweh. The people did according to this promise.
Nehemiah's Leadership Example Nehemiah 5:14–18
14Verse 14. Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even to the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brothers have not eaten the bread of the governor. 15Verse 15. But the former governors who were before me were supported by the people, and took bread and wine from them, plus forty shekels of silver; yes, even their servants ruled over the people; but I didn’t do so, because of the fear of God. 16Verse 16. Yes, I also continued in the work of this wall. We didn’t buy any land. All my servants were gathered there to the work.
17Verse 17. Moreover there were at my table, of the Jews and the rulers, one hundred fifty men, besides those who came to us from among the nations that were around us. 18Verse 18. Now that which was prepared for one day was one ox and six choice sheep. Also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days a store of all sorts of wine. Yet for all this, I didn’t demand the governor’s pay, because the bondage was heavy on this people.
Nehemiah's Prayer for Remembrance Nehemiah 5:19
19Verse 19. Remember to me, my God, for good, all that I have done for this people.
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Nehemiah 5
social justice
In vv. 1-5, the people raise a 'great cry' regarding their plight, stating that they are forced to mortgage their fields and even bring their children into bondage. This cry reveals deep economic injustice among the Jewish people, as wealthy brethren exploit the poor during a famine. Nehemiah's response to this injustice, calling for an end to usury in vv. 10-11, shows a commitment to restoring equity.
community integrity
In verses 6-9, Nehemiah gathers a large assembly to address the nobles and rulers about their exploitation of the people. He challenges them with the question, 'Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God', calling for accountability and shared values. The nobles respond by agreeing to restore what they have taken, demonstrating a collective commitment to maintaining integrity within the community.
leadership and responsibility
In vv. 14-15, Nehemiah describes how he did not take the governor's provisions, contrasting himself with previous governors who burdened the people. His choice to forgo personal gain for the sake of the community demonstrates a model of responsible leadership. Additionally, he continues to work on the wall, showing that true leadership is not only about authority but also about service.
personal sacrifice
Nehemiah's decision not to take the governor's pay in verse 18 illustrates his personal sacrifice for the benefit of the people he leads. He acknowledges that 'the bondage was heavy on this people', showing his prioritization of their needs over his own comfort. This personal sacrifice is further expressed in his prayer in verse 19, where he asks God to remember his good actions, indicating his dedication to sacrificial leadership.
Chapter outline
How Nehemiah 5 unfolds
Nehemiah 5:1–5 The People's Cry for Help
The people, feeling oppressed, cry out about their suffering due to famine and the burden of debt, expressing that they must mortgage their fields and even sell their children into servitude (vv. 1-5).
Nehemiah 5:6–9 Nehemiah's Anger and Confrontation
Nehemiah reacts with anger upon hearing the people's complaints; he confronts the nobles for charging 'usury' to their fellow Jews and gathers them for a significant assembly (vv. 6-9).
Nehemiah 5:10–13 Call to Stop Usury
Nehemiah urges the nobles to cease their exploitative lending practices and demands the immediate restoration of fields and property taken from fellow Jews (vv. 10-13).
Nehemiah 5:14–18 Nehemiah's Leadership Example
Nehemiah shares his own example of leadership, stating that he did not take the allowances typical for governors, choosing instead to dedicate himself to the work and support the people (vv. 14-18).
Nehemiah 5:19 Nehemiah's Prayer for Remembrance
In his concluding prayer, Nehemiah asks God to remember the good deeds he has done for the welfare of the people, emphasizing his commitment and concern for their well-being (v. 19).
Key verses
Nehemiah 5:9Nehemiah speaks to the nobles and rulers, confronting their wrongdoing in exploiting their own people, which presses them to reconsider their actions against the 'fear of our God'.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Nehemiah 5
- observeIn v2, what do the people say they need to 'eat and live'?
- observeWhat does Nehemiah mean by 'usury' in v7?
- interpretIn vv. 9-10, how does Nehemiah connect the people's actions to 'the reproach of the nations'?
- interpretIn v14, why does Nehemiah mention he did not eat the 'bread of the governor'?
- applyWhen have you seen someone in need, as the people were in v5, and how did you respond?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Nehemiah 5
- Nehemiah 13Nehemiah 5:19 and Nehemiah 13:31Both ask for remembrance: Nehemiah 5:19 says, 'Remember to me, my God, for good,' while Nehemiah 13:31 says, 'Remember me, my God, for good.'
- Leviticus 25Nehemiah 5:7 and Leviticus 25:36Both address usury: Nehemiah 5:7 says, 'You exact usury,' while Leviticus 25:36 states, 'Take no interest from him.'
- Isaiah 58Nehemiah 5:10 and Isaiah 58:6Both call for release: Nehemiah 5:10 asks to stop usury, while Isaiah 58:6 calls to 'release the bonds of wickedness.'
- Exodus 22Nehemiah 5:7 and Exodus 22:25Both forbid charging interest: Nehemiah 5:7 contends against usury, while Exodus 22:25 commands not to charge interest.
- Matthew 10Nehemiah 5:13 and Matthew 10:14Both involve shaking out: Nehemiah 5:13 says, 'I shook out my lap,' while Matthew 10:14 instructs to 'shake the dust off your feet.'
- Matthew 18Nehemiah 5:5 and Matthew 18:25Both discuss selling into bondage: Nehemiah 5:5 states, 'We bring our sons...into bondage,' while Matthew 18:25 describes a man sold for debt.
Related chapters
Chapters that connect with Nehemiah 5
Elsewhere on ScriptureDepth
Where to go from here
- Nehemiah: the whole bookNehemiah is a memoir of leadership under pressure.
- Full Year Chronological Bible, day 282Day 282 of 365: Nehemiah 4–7.
- PrayerWhat the Bible says about prayer, with verses.
- Common Bible questionsThe questions people bring to Bible study, each answered from the text.
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