I likewise, and my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money and corn: I pray you, let us leave off this usury.
Parallel translations
- WEB I likewise, my brothers and my servants, lend them money and grain. Please let us stop this usury.
- BSB I, as well as my brothers and my servants, have been lending the people money and grain. Please, let us stop this usury.
- NKJV I also, with my brethren and my servants, am lending them money and grain. Please, let us stop this usury!
- NASB And likewise I, my brothers, and my servants are lending them money and grain. Please, let’s do without this interest.
- NLT I myself, as well as my brothers and my workers, have been lending the people money and grain, but now let us stop this business of charging interest.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Nehemiah admits he too has lent money and grain, and calls for all of them to stop the usury together. He leads by including himself in the reform.
Overview
Rather than exempting himself, Nehemiah identifies with the lenders and urges abandoning the practice of charging interest on brothers. His willingness to relinquish his own claims gives moral weight to his appeal. Such self-sacrificing leadership, putting others above personal gain, reflects the heart of Christ who emptied Himself for our sake.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- 2 Cor 6:1We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
- Exod 22:25–27If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.
- Ezek 18:8He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man,
- 2 Cor 5:20Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
- Ps 15:5He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.
- Phlm 1:8–9Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,
- 1 Cor 9:12–18If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
- 2 Cor 5:11Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
- Mic 2:1Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand.
- Luke 3:13–14And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.
- Neh 5:7Then 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.
- Ezek 18:13Hath given forth upon usury, and hath taken increase: shall he then live? he shall not live: he hath done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon him.
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Christ at the center
The rebuilt walls and renewed covenant community foreshadow the greater builder who gathers and secures a people for God, the one who declares 'I will build my church.'
How Nehemiah 5:10 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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