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Nehemiah, 5

1. And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews.

1. The common people and their wives presented very serious complaints against their Jewish brothers.

2. For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, [are] many: therefore we take up corn [for them], that we may eat, and live.

2. Some of them said, "We have big families and we need wheat to eat for strength to live."

3. [Some] also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth.

3. Others cried out, "We have to mortgage our fields, vineyards and houses to get grain because of this famine."

4. There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute, [and that upon] our lands and vineyards.

4. Others said, "We have borrowed money on account of our fields and vineyards in order to pay the tax to the king.

5. Yet now our flesh [is] as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and [some] of our daughters are brought unto bondage [already]: neither [is it] in our power [to redeem them]; for other men have our lands and vineyards.

5. Though we are of the same race as our brothers and our children are not different from their children, we have to give our sons as slaves; even many of our daughters are now regarded as concubines. And we do not have any other solution, inasmuch as our fields and vineyards have passed on to others."

6. And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.

6. Those complaints and accusations filled me with indignation

7. 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.

7. and I reproached the nobles and the counselors,

8. 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].

8. saying to them, "Why do you not have compassion on your brothers?" Because of this, I held a great assembly and said to them, "We have rescued, according to our resources, our Jewish brothers who were slaves. But are you now buying your own brothers?" They remained silent. They could not answer.

9. Also I said, It [is] not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies?

9. And I continued, "What you do is not good. Should you not live in obedience to our God lest we be put to shame by our pagan enemies?

10. I likewise, [and] my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money and corn: I pray you, let us leave off this usury.

10. My brothers, my relatives and I have also lent money and wheat. Now then, let us forget everything they owe us,

11. Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the hundredth [part] of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them.

11. returning to them at once their fields, vineyards, and olive groves, and canceling their debts in money, wheat, wine and oil."

12. 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.

12. They answered me, "We will return these and demand nothing from them. We will do as you have said." So I called the priests, and before them made all of them swear an oath that they would fulfill their promise.

13. Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise.

13. Then I shook out the folds of my mantle, saying, "So may God shake out of his house and his inheritance all who do not fulfill this word, and may he be so shaken that nothing is left of him." The whole assembly answered, "Amen" and praised Yahweh. And the people fulfilled their promise.

14. Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, [that is], twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor.

14. King Artaxerxes had appointed me governor of the land of Judah in the twentieth year of his reign. Until the thirty-second year, or rather, for twelve years, neither I nor my brothers ever demanded to be given the governor's bread.

15. But the former governors that [had been] before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.

15. But the former governors had collected forty pieces of silver per day from the people. This payment was a burden to the people, and so were their servants.

16. Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants [were] gathered thither unto the work.

16. As I dedicated myself to rebuilding the wall, I did not buy fields; and all my men were there helping.

17. Moreover [there were] at my table an hundred and fifty of the Jews and rulers, beside those that came unto us from among the heathen that [are] about us.

17. At my table a hundred and fifty men, leaders and counselors were seated, besides those who came to us from neighboring nations.

18. Now [that] which was prepared [for me] daily [was] one ox [and] six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this required not I the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people.

18. A male calf, six choice rams and fowls were slaughtered daily, and every ten days a great quantity of wine was brought. But though all these were charged to my account, I never asked for the governor's bread, because the people were already burdened enough with the task of reconstruction.

19. Think upon me, my God, for good, [according] to all that I have done for this people.

19. Remember for my good, my God, all that I have done for this people!



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Lábjegyzetek:

5:1-5 - The outcry of the poor against the rich in Israel reveals economic injustices, such as excessive interest charges and debt. Nehemiah is concerned about internal oppression, showing that social justice is an essential part of community life (see also Exodus 22:25 and Proverbs 22:7).

5:6-7 - Hearing the people's outcry, Nehemiah is outraged and calls a meeting to confront the nobles. Justice requires courage to confront evil, even when it comes from within the community (see also Leviticus 25:35-37 and Matthew 18:15).

5:8-11 - Nehemiah reminds the people of the importance of redeeming their brothers and not exploiting those in need. He commands the rich to return their land and stop charging interest, emphasizing repentance and restoration (see also Deuteronomy 15:7-11 and Luke 19:8).

5:12-13 - The nobles and officials pledge to return what they had taken, and Nehemiah invokes a curse to ensure their obedience. Integrity in promises and commitments is essential to godly living (see also Psalm 15:1-4 and James 5:12).

5:14-19 - Nehemiah refuses the perks of governorship and lives a simple life, demonstrating a model of servant leadership. His generosity toward the people shows that a leader must seek the common good above his own interests (see also Mark 10:43-45 and 2 Corinthians 8:9).

Kapcsolódó versek Nehemiah, 5:

Nehemiah chapter 5 addresses internal conflicts among the Jews. How does Nehemiah deal with social injustice? This crucial text exposes problems of economic exploitation within the community and Nehemiah's decisive response. The chapter emphasizes the importance of social justice and personal example in leadership. Nehemiah 5 reveals how internal problems can threaten the spiritual progress and unity of God's people. Ponder with us five biblical passages that elucidate the themes of justice and integrity present in this significant chapter.

James 5:4: "See, the wages of the workers who mowed your fields, and which you withheld by fraud, are crying out against you. The lament of the reapers reached the ears of the Lord of hosts." - This verse echoes Nehemiah's concern for social justice in Nehemiah 5:1-5.

Leviticus 25:35-37: "If your brother becomes poor and cannot support himself, help him as if he were a foreigner or as if he were a temporary resident, so that he can continue to live in your company. Do not charge him interest or add to it. Fear your God, so that your brother may continue to live in your company. Do not lend him money for profit, nor provide him with food for gain." - This law reflects the principles that Nehemiah sought to reestablish in Nehemiah 5:6-13.

Matthew 20:25-26: "Jesus called them and said, 'You know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them, and important people exercise power over them. It won't be like that between you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become important among you must be a servant.'" - This teaching of Jesus reflects Nehemiah's leadership style demonstrated in Nehemiah 5:14-19.

Proverbs 31:8-9: "Raise your voice in favor of those who cannot defend themselves, be the defender of all the helpless. Raise your voice and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." - These verses capture Nehemiah's attitude in defending the oppressed in Nehemiah 5.

1 Timothy 6:17-18: "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant, nor to place their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides us with everything for our satisfaction. Command them to do good, to be rich in good works, generous and ready to share." - This advice from Paul reflects the economic and social reforms that Nehemiah implemented in Nehemiah 5.

FAQ:

Why was Nehemiah outraged by the exploitation of the poor?

Nehemiah was outraged that the leaders were charging high interest rates to the poor, resulting in the enslavement of families and impoverishment. (Nehemiah 5:1-5)

How did Nehemiah solve the problem of financial exploitation?

Nehemiah rebuked the leaders and urged them to return the stolen goods and to stop charging interest to the Jews, thus promoting justice. (Nehemiah 5:7-13)

What did Nehemiah do to avoid being charged interest?

Nehemiah did not charge interest on the loans he made to the poor, as an example to other rulers and leaders. (Nehemiah 5:14-19)

What was the leaders’ response to Nehemiah’s rebuke?

The leaders accepted Nehemiah’s rebuke and promised to return what they had taken and to stop charging interest to their brothers. (Nehemiah 5:12-13)

What does Nehemiah's action reveal about his leadership?

Nehemiah demonstrated righteous leadership and concern for the well-being of his people, seeking both spiritual and social restoration. (Nehemiah 5:14-19)


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