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So I summoned the priests and required of the nobles and officials an oath that they would do what they had promised.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/nehemiah/5-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/16_Neh_05_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Nehemiah 5:12 - Nehemiah Defends the Oppressed" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="We will restore it, they replied, and will require nothing more from them. We will do as you say. 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We will do as you say.&#8221 Then I summoned the priests and made the nobles and officials take an oath to do what they had promised. <a href="/nlt/nehemiah/5.htm">New Living Translation</a> They replied, “We will give back everything and demand nothing more from the people. We will do as you say.” Then I called the priests and made the nobles and officials swear to do what they had promised. <a href="/esv/nehemiah/5.htm">English Standard Version</a> Then they said, “We will restore these and require nothing from them. We will do as you say.” And I called the priests and made them swear to do as they had promised. <a href="/bsb/nehemiah/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> “We will restore it,” they replied, “and will require nothing more from them. We will do as you say.” So I summoned the priests and required of the nobles and officials an oath that they would do what they had promised. <a href="/kjv/nehemiah/5.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/nehemiah/5.htm">New King James Version</a> So they said, “We will restore it, and will require nothing from them; we will do as you say.” Then I called the priests, and required an oath from them that they would do according to this promise. <a href="/nasb_/nehemiah/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then they said, “We will give it back and will require nothing from them; we will do exactly as you say.” So I called the priests and made them take an oath to act in accordance with this promise. <a href="/nasb/nehemiah/5.htm">NASB 1995</a> Then they said, &#8220We will give it back and will require nothing from them; we will do exactly as you say.&#8221 So I called the priests and took an oath from them that they would do according to this promise. <a href="/nasb77/nehemiah/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Then they said, “We will give it back and will require nothing from them; we will do exactly as you say.” So I called the priests and took an oath from them that they would do according to this promise. <a href="/lsb/nehemiah/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then they said, “We will give it back and will require nothing from them; we will do exactly as you are saying.” So I called the priests and made them swear that they would do according to this word. <a href="/amp/nehemiah/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Then they said, “We will give it back and not require anything from them. We will do exactly as you say.” Then I called the priests and took an oath from them that they would act in accordance with this promise. <a href="/csb/nehemiah/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> They responded, “We will return these things and require nothing more from them. We will do as you say.” So I summoned the priests and made everyone take an oath to do this. <a href="/hcsb/nehemiah/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> They responded: &#8220We will return these things and require nothing more from them. We will do as you say.&#8221 So I summoned the priests and made everyone take an oath to do this. <a href="/asv/nehemiah/5.htm">American Standard Version</a> Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do, even as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they would do according to this promise. <a href="/cev/nehemiah/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> The leaders answered, "We will do whatever you say and return their property, without asking to be repaid." So I made the leaders promise in front of the priests to give back the property. <a href="/erv/nehemiah/5.htm">English Revised Version</a> Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do, even as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise. <a href="/gwt/nehemiah/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> They responded, "We'll return it and not try to get it from them [again]. We'll do what you say." Then I called the priests and made them swear to do what they promised. <a href="/gnt/nehemiah/5.htm">Good News Translation</a> The leaders replied, "We'll do as you say. We'll give the property back and not try to collect the debts." I called in the priests and made the leaders swear in front of them to keep the promise they had just made. <a href="/isv/nehemiah/5.htm">International Standard Version</a> They responded, "We will restore these things, and will assess no interest charges against them. We will do what you are requesting!" So I called the priests and made them take an oath to fulfill this promise. <a href="/msb/nehemiah/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> ?We will restore it,? they replied, ?and will require nothing more from them. We will do as you say.? So I summoned the priests and required of the nobles and officials an oath that they would do what they had promised. <a href="/net/nehemiah/5.htm">NET Bible</a> They replied, "We will return these things, and we will no longer demand anything from them. We will do just as you say." Then I called the priests and made the wealthy and the officials swear to do what had been promised. <a href="/nheb/nehemiah/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Then they said, "We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do, even as you say." Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they would do according to this promise. <a href="/wbt/nehemiah/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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 would do according to this promise. <a href="/web/nehemiah/5.htm">World English Bible</a> 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. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/nehemiah/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And they say, “We give back, and we seek nothing from them; so we do as you are saying.” And I call the priests, and cause them to swear to do according to this thing; <a href="/ylt/nehemiah/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And they say, 'We give back, and of them we seek nothing; so we do as thou art saying.' And I call the priests, and cause them to swear to do according to this thing; <a href="/slt/nehemiah/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And they will say, We will turn back, and we will not seek from them; thus will we do as thou sayest And I shall call the priests and shall cause them to swear to do according to this word.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/nehemiah/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And they said: We will restore, and we will require nothing of them: and we will do as thou sayest. And I called the priests and took an oath of them, to do according to what I had said. <a href="/cpdv/nehemiah/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And they said: “We will restore it, and we will require nothing from them. And we will do just as you say.” And I called the priests, and I had them swear an oath, so that they would act in accord with what I had said. <a href="/nabre/nehemiah/5.htm">New American Bible</a> They answered: “We will return everything and exact nothing further from them. We will do just what you ask.” Then I called for the priests to administer an oath to them that they would do as they had promised. <a href="/nrsvce/nehemiah/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Then they said, “We will restore everything and demand nothing more from them. We will do as you say.” And I called the priests, and made them take an oath to do as they had promised.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/nehemiah/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Then they said to me, We will do as you say. Then I called the priests, and said to them, This is the right thing to do, and I took an oath of them to do according to this promise. I did this also to the children of the common people. <a href="/hpbt/nehemiah/5.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And they were saying to me: “Thus shall we do as you say! And I called the Priests and I said to them: ‘Thus it is right to do!’ And I took an oath of them to do according to this answer, also of the small boys.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/nehemiah/5.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Then said they: 'We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do, even as thou sayest.' Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise. <a href="/sep/nehemiah/5.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And they said, We will restore, and we will not exact of them; we will do thus as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and bound them by oath to do according to this word. <a href="/parallel/nehemiah/5-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZsQrw7rBvgc?start=1135" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/nehemiah/5.htm">Nehemiah Defends the Oppressed</a> …11Please 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.” 12<a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: nā·šîḇ (V-Hifil-Imperf-1cp) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">“We will restore it,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">they replied,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1245.htm" title="1245: nə·ḇaq·qêš (V-Piel-Imperf-1cp) -- To seek. A primitive root; to search out; by implication, to strive after.">“and will require</a> <a href="/hebrew/3651.htm" title="3651: kên (Adv) -- So, thus. From kuwn; properly, set upright; hence just; but usually rightly or so."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">nothing</a> <a href="/hebrew/ū·mê·hem (Conj-w:: Prep:: 3mp) -- ">more from them.</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: na·‘ă·śeh (V-Qal-Imperf-1cp) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">We will do</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ka·’ă·šer (Prep-k:: Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">as</a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ’at·tāh (Pro-2ms) -- You (masc. sing.). ">you</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ō·w·mêr (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">say.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/7121.htm" title="7121: wā·’eq·rā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs) -- To call, proclaim, read. A primitive root; to call out to.">So I summoned</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3548.htm" title="3548: hak·kō·hă·nîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Priest. Active participle of kahan; literally, one officiating, a priest; also an acting priest.">the priests</a> <a href="/hebrew/7650.htm" title="7650: wā·’aš·bî·‘êm (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-1cs:: 3mp) -- A primitive root; propr. To be complete, but used only as a denominative from sheba'; to seven oneself, i.e. Swear.">and required of the nobles and officials an oath that they</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: la·‘ă·śō·wṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">would do</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: kad·dā·ḇār (Prep-k, Art:: N-ms) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">what they had promised.</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: haz·zeh (Art:: Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that."></a> 13I also shook out the folds of my robe and said, “May God likewise shake out of His house and possession every man who does not keep this promise. May such a man be shaken out and have nothing!” The whole assembly said, “Amen,” and they praised the LORD. And the people did as they had promised.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/exodus/22-25.htm">Exodus 22:25-27</a> If you lend money to one of My people among you who is poor, you must not act as a creditor to him; you are not to charge him interest. / If you take your neighbor’s cloak as collateral, return it to him by sunset, / because his cloak is the only covering he has for his body. What else will he sleep in? And if he cries out to Me, I will hear, for I am compassionate. <a href="/leviticus/25-35.htm">Leviticus 25:35-37</a> 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. <a href="/deuteronomy/15-1.htm">Deuteronomy 15:1-2</a> At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts. / This is the manner of remission: Every creditor shall cancel what he has loaned to his neighbor. He is not to collect anything from his neighbor or brother, because the LORD’s time of release has been proclaimed. <a href="/deuteronomy/23-19.htm">Deuteronomy 23:19-20</a> Do not charge your brother interest on money, food, or any other type of loan. / You may charge a foreigner interest, but not your brother, so that the LORD your God may bless you in everything to which you put your hand in the land that you are entering to possess. <a href="/psalms/15-5.htm">Psalm 15:5</a> who lends his money without interest and refuses a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken. <a href="/ezekiel/18-7.htm">Ezekiel 18:7-8</a> He does not oppress another, but restores the pledge to the debtor. He does not commit robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing. / He does not engage in usury or take excess interest, but he withholds his hand from iniquity and executes true justice between men. <a href="/ezekiel/18-16.htm">Ezekiel 18:16-17</a> He does not oppress another, or retain a pledge, or commit robbery. He gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing. / He withholds his hand from harming the poor and takes no interest or usury. He keeps My ordinances and follows My statutes. Such a man will not die for his father’s iniquity. He will surely live. <a href="/isaiah/58-6.htm">Isaiah 58:6-7</a> Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke? / Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? <a href="/jeremiah/34-8.htm">Jeremiah 34:8-10</a> After King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people in Jerusalem to proclaim liberty, the word came to Jeremiah from the LORD / that each man should free his Hebrew slaves, both male and female, and no one should hold his fellow Jew in bondage. / So all the officials and all the people who entered into this covenant agreed that they would free their menservants and maidservants and no longer hold them in bondage. They obeyed and released them, <a href="/amos/2-6.htm">Amos 2:6-7</a> 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. / They trample on the heads of the poor as on the dust of the earth; they push the needy out of their way. A man and his father have relations with the same girl and so profane My holy name. <a href="/matthew/5-42.htm">Matthew 5:42</a> Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. <a href="/luke/6-34.htm">Luke 6:34-35</a> And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. / But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. <a href="/luke/19-8.htm">Luke 19:8</a> But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, half of my possessions I give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will repay it fourfold.” <a href="/acts/2-44.htm">Acts 2:44-45</a> All the believers were together and had everything in common. / Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need. <a href="/acts/4-32.htm">Acts 4:32-35</a> The multitude of believers was one in heart and soul. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they owned. / With great power the apostles continued to give their testimony about the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And abundant grace was upon them all. / There were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds from the sales, ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as you say. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise.We will restore<a href="/2_chronicles/28-14.htm">2 Chronicles 28:14,15</a> So the armed men left the captives and the spoil before the princes and all the congregation… <a href="/ezra/10-12.htm">Ezra 10:12</a> Then all the congregation answered and said with a loud voice, As thou hast said, so must we do.<a href="/matthew/19-21.htm">Matthew 19:21,22</a> Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me… I called<a href="/nehemiah/10-29.htm">Nehemiah 10:29</a> They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes;<a href="/nehemiah/13-25.htm">Nehemiah 13:25</a> And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.<a href="/2_kings/23-2.htm">2 Kings 23:2,3</a> And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the people, both small and great: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of the LORD… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/nehemiah/4-11.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/2_kings/12-15.htm">Demand</a> <a href="/ezra/7-23.htm">Exactly</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-7.htm">Nobles</a> <a href="/ezra/10-5.htm">Oath</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-7.htm">Officials</a> <a href="/nehemiah/3-28.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/6-15.htm">Promise</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/23-3.htm">Promised</a> <a href="/ezra/8-22.htm">Require</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-11.htm">Restore</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-10.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/ezra/8-16.htm">Summoned</a> <a href="/ezra/10-5.htm">Swear</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/nehemiah/6-6.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-18.htm">Demand</a> <a href="/matthew/2-7.htm">Exactly</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-17.htm">Nobles</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-18.htm">Oath</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-17.htm">Officials</a> <a href="/nehemiah/7-39.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-13.htm">Promise</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-23.htm">Promised</a> <a href="/psalms/10-4.htm">Require</a> <a href="/job/8-6.htm">Restore</a> <a href="/esther/2-2.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/esther/4-5.htm">Summoned</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-25.htm">Swear</a><div class="vheading2">Nehemiah 5</div>1. <a href="/nehemiah/5-1.htm">The Jews complain of their debt, mortgage, and bondage</a> 6. <a href="/nehemiah/5-6.htm">Nehemiah rebukes the usurers, and causes them to make a covenant of restitution</a> 14. <a href="/nehemiah/5-14.htm">He forbears his own allowance, and keeps hospitality</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/nehemiah/5.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/nehemiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/nehemiah/5.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>“We will restore it,” they replied This phrase indicates a commitment to restitution. In the context of <a href="/nehemiah/5.htm">Nehemiah 5</a>, the Jewish nobles and officials had been exploiting their fellow Jews through usury and taking their lands and children as collateral. The decision to restore what was taken reflects the biblical principle of restitution found in the Law of Moses (<a href="/exodus/22.htm">Exodus 22:1-4</a>). This act of restoration is a practical application of repentance, showing a change of heart and a desire to make things right.“and will require nothing more from them.” This commitment to not demand further payment or interest aligns with the biblical prohibition against charging interest to fellow Israelites (<a href="/deuteronomy/23-19.htm">Deuteronomy 23:19-20</a>). It reflects a return to the covenantal community values where mutual support and care were emphasized. This decision also highlights the importance of mercy and justice, key themes throughout the Old Testament, particularly in the prophetic literature (<a href="/micah/6-8.htm">Micah 6:8</a>).“We will do as you say.” The nobles and officials' agreement to Nehemiah's demands shows their acknowledgment of his authority and the moral correctness of his rebuke. Nehemiah's leadership is characterized by integrity and a commitment to God's laws, which inspires others to follow. This phrase also echoes the biblical theme of obedience to righteous leadership, as seen in the relationship between Moses and the Israelites (<a href="/exodus/19-8.htm">Exodus 19:8</a>).So I summoned the priests Involving the priests underscores the seriousness of the commitment being made. Priests in Israel served as mediators between God and the people, and their presence would lend spiritual weight to the proceedings. This action reflects the biblical practice of making vows or oaths before God, as seen in <a href="/numbers/30-2.htm">Numbers 30:2</a>, where vows are binding and must be fulfilled.and required of the nobles and officials an oath The requirement of an oath signifies a formal and binding promise before God. In ancient Israel, oaths were sacred and breaking them was considered a serious offense (<a href="/leviticus/19-12.htm">Leviticus 19:12</a>). This action by Nehemiah ensures accountability and underscores the gravity of the situation. It also reflects the biblical understanding that words and promises have power and must be honored.that they would do what they had promised. This final phrase emphasizes the importance of faithfulness and integrity. Keeping one's word is a key biblical principle, as seen in <a href="/psalms/15-4.htm">Psalm 15:4</a>, which describes a righteous person as one who "keeps an oath even when it hurts." The commitment to fulfill promises is a reflection of God's own faithfulness, and it serves as a model for the community to emulate.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/n/nehemiah.htm">Nehemiah</a> 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 reforming the community. 2. <a href="/topical/n/nobles_and_officials.htm">Nobles and Officials</a> These are the Jewish leaders and wealthy individuals who had been exploiting their fellow Jews through usury and taking their lands and children as collateral. 3. <a href="/topical/p/priests.htm">Priests</a> Religious leaders in Israel who were called upon by Nehemiah to witness the oath taken by the nobles and officials, ensuring accountability. 4. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a> The city where these events take place, significant as the center of Jewish worship and identity. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_oath.htm">The Oath</a> A solemn promise made by the nobles and officials to restore what they had taken and to cease their exploitation, witnessed by the priests.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/i/integrity_in_leadership.htm">Integrity in Leadership</a> Nehemiah's insistence on an oath highlights the importance of integrity and accountability in leadership. Leaders should ensure that their actions align with God's principles. <a href="/topical/r/restoration_and_repentance.htm">Restoration and Repentance</a> The nobles' promise to restore what they had taken is a model of repentance. True repentance involves not just words but actions that rectify wrongs. <a href="/topical/c/community_responsibility.htm">Community Responsibility</a> The involvement of the priests underscores the community's role in holding each other accountable. Believers are called to support and correct one another in love. <a href="/topical/j/justice_and_compassion.htm">Justice and Compassion</a> The situation in <a href="/bsb/nehemiah/5.htm">Nehemiah 5</a> reminds us of God's heart for justice and compassion, especially towards the vulnerable. Christians are called to advocate for and protect those who are oppressed. <a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_a_promise.htm">The Power of a Promise</a> The oath taken by the nobles and officials serves as a reminder of the power and seriousness of our promises, especially those made before God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_nehemiah_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Nehemiah 5</a> <a href="/q/how_did_nehemiah_rebuild_and_restore.htm">How did Nehemiah rebuild Jerusalem's walls and restore faith?</a> <a href="/q/how_is_zerubbabel_a_signet_ring.htm">How is Zerubbabel symbolized as a signet ring?</a> <a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_nehemiah_5_7's_contradiction.htm">Nehemiah 5:7 suggests interest-taking was widespread despite Mosaic Law prohibitions (e.g., Exodus 22:25); how can this contradiction be reconciled?</a> <a href="/q/are_nehemiah_12_1-7_priests_verified.htm">In Nehemiah 12:1-7, are there any historical or archaeological records confirming the specific priests and Levites named here?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/nehemiah/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(12) We will restore.--The promise was given to restore the mortgaged property and to require no more interest. But Nehemiah required an oath to give legal validity to the procedure, and the priests' presence gave it the highest religious sanction.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/nehemiah/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 12. - Then they said, We will restore them. Nehemiah's eloquence prevailed, and brought about a "day of sacrifices." The nobles, one and all, agreed not only to give back the interest that they had illegally received on the corn and money borrowed of them, but to restore the forfeited lands and houses, which must have been of far greater value, and to which they were by law fully entitled. "We will restore them," they said, "and will (in future) require nothing of them, neither interest nor security, but will do as thou sayest." The promise was sweeping in its terms, and probably not insincere; but Nehemiah mistrusted all sudden impulses. He would have something more than a promise. Then called I the priests, and took an oath of them (the nobles), that they should do according to this promise. i.e. he swore the nobles, in the sacred presence of the priests, to the performance of the promise which they had made. <a href="/commentaries/nehemiah/5-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>“We will restore [it],” נָשִׁ֗יב (nā·šîḇ) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> To turn back, in, to retreat, again they replied, וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ (way·yō·mə·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “and will require נְבַקֵּ֔שׁ (nə·ḇaq·qêš) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1245.htm">Strong's 1245: </a> To search out, to strive after nothing לֹ֣א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no more from them. וּמֵהֶם֙ (ū·mê·hem) Conjunctive waw | Preposition | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1992.htm">Strong's 1992: </a> They We will do נַעֲשֶׂ֔ה (na·‘ă·śeh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> To do, make as כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר (ka·’ă·šer) Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that you אַתָּ֣ה (’at·tāh) Pronoun - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> Thou and thee, ye and you say.” אוֹמֵ֑ר (’ō·w·mêr) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say So I summoned וָאֶקְרָא֙ (wā·’eq·rā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> To call, proclaim, read the priests הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים (hak·kō·hă·nîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3548.htm">Strong's 3548: </a> Priest and required [of the nobles and officials] an oath that they וָֽאַשְׁבִּיעֵ֔ם (wā·’aš·bî·‘êm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7650.htm">Strong's 7650: </a> To seven oneself, swear would do לַעֲשׂ֖וֹת (la·‘ă·śō·wṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> To do, make what they had promised. כַּדָּבָ֥ר (kad·dā·ḇār) Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> A word, a matter, thing, a cause <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/nehemiah/5-12.htm">Nehemiah 5:12 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/nehemiah/5-12.htm">Nehemiah 5:12 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/nehemiah/5-12.htm">Nehemiah 5:12 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/nehemiah/5-12.htm">Nehemiah 5:12 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/nehemiah/5-12.htm">Nehemiah 5:12 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/nehemiah/5-12.htm">Nehemiah 5:12 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/nehemiah/5-12.htm">Nehemiah 5:12 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/nehemiah/5-12.htm">Nehemiah 5:12 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/nehemiah/5-12.htm">Nehemiah 5:12 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/nehemiah/5-12.htm">Nehemiah 5:12 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-12.htm">OT History: Nehemiah 5:12 Then said they We will restore them (Neh Ne) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/nehemiah/5-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Nehemiah 5:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Nehemiah 5:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/nehemiah/5-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Nehemiah 5:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Nehemiah 5:13" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>