CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Nehemiah 5:6 When I heard their outcry and these complaints, I became extremely angry,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/nehemiah/5-6.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/16_Neh_05_06.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Nehemiah 5:6 - Nehemiah Defends the Oppressed" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When I heard their outcry and these complaints, I became extremely angry," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/nehemiah/5-6.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/nehemiah/5-6.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/nehemiah/">Nehemiah</a> > <a href="/nehemiah/5.htm">Chapter 5</a> > Verse 6</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad6.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/nehemiah/5-5.htm" title="Nehemiah 5:5">◄</a> Nehemiah 5:6 <a href="/nehemiah/5-7.htm" title="Nehemiah 5:7">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/nehemiah/5.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/nehemiah/5.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />When I heard their outcry and these charges, I was very angry.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/nehemiah/5.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />When I heard their complaints, I was very angry.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/nehemiah/5.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/nehemiah/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />When I heard their outcry and these complaints, I became extremely angry,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/nehemiah/5.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/nehemiah/5.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And I became very angry when I heard their outcry and these words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/nehemiah/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/nehemiah/5.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then I was very angry when I had heard their outcry and these words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/nehemiah/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then I was very angry when I had heard their outcry and these words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/nehemiah/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then I was very angry when I had heard their outcry and these words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/nehemiah/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words [of accusation].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/nehemiah/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I became extremely angry when I heard their outcry and these complaints.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/nehemiah/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I became extremely angry when I heard their outcry and these complaints. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/nehemiah/5.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/nehemiah/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />When I heard their complaints and their charges, I became very angry. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/nehemiah/5.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/nehemiah/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />I became furious when I heard their complaint and what they had to say.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/nehemiah/5.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />When I heard their complaints, I grew angry <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/nehemiah/5.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />I became very livid when I heard their complaining and these charges. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/nehemiah/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />When I heard their outcry and these complaints, I became extremely angry,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/nehemiah/5.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these complaints.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/nehemiah/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/nehemiah/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/nehemiah/5.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/nehemiah/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And it is very displeasing to me when I have heard their cry and these words,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/nehemiah/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And it is very displeasing to me when I have heard their cry and these words,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/nehemiah/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And it will kindle to me greatly as I heard their cry and these words.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/nehemiah/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And I was exceedingly angry when I heard their cry according to these words. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/nehemiah/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And when I had heard their outcry in these words, I was exceedingly angry.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/nehemiah/5.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />I was extremely angry when I heard the reasons for their complaint.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/nehemiah/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these complaints.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/nehemiah/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And I was exceedingly sorrowful when I heard their cry and these words, and my heart was broken within me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/nehemiah/5.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And I was very grieved myself when I heard their wailing and these words.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/nehemiah/5.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/nehemiah/5.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And I was much grieved as I heard their cry and these words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/nehemiah/5-6.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZsQrw7rBvgc?start=1064" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/nehemiah/5.htm">Nehemiah Defends the Oppressed</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">5</span>We and our children are just like our countrymen and their children, yet we are subjecting our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters are already enslaved, but we are powerless to redeem them because our fields and vineyards belong to others.” <span class="reftext">6</span><span class="highl"><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.">When</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: šā·ma‘·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">I heard</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/2201.htm" title="2201: za·‘ă·qā·ṯām (N-fsc:: 3mp) -- A cry, outcry. And zoaqah; from za'aq; a shriek or outcry.">their outcry</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’êṯ (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/428.htm" title="428: hā·’êl·leh (Art:: Pro-cp) -- These. Prolonged from 'el; these or those.">and these</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: had·də·ḇā·rîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">complaints,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3966.htm" title="3966: mə·’ōḏ (Adv) -- Muchness, force, abundance. From the same as 'uwd; properly, vehemence, i.e. vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc.">I became extremely</a> <a href="/hebrew/2734.htm" title="2734: way·yi·ḥar (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To burn or be kindled with anger. A primitive root; to glow or grow warm; figuratively to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy.">angry,</a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- "></a> </span><span class="reftext">7</span>and after serious thought I rebuked the nobles and officials, saying, “You are exacting usury from your own brothers!” So I called a large assembly against them…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/22-25.htm">Exodus 22:25</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/25-35.htm">Leviticus 25:35-37</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/23-19.htm">Deuteronomy 23:19-20</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/28-8.htm">Proverbs 28:8</a></span><br />He who increases his wealth by interest and usury lays it up for one who is kind to the poor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/58-6.htm">Isaiah 58:6-7</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/18-8.htm">Ezekiel 18:8-9</a></span><br />He does not engage in usury or take excess interest, but he withholds his hand from iniquity and executes true justice between men. / He follows My statutes and faithfully keeps My ordinances. That man is righteous; surely he will live, declares the Lord GOD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/22-12.htm">Ezekiel 22:12</a></span><br />In you they take bribes to shed blood. You engage in usury, take excess interest, and extort your neighbors. But Me you have forgotten, declares the Lord GOD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/2-6.htm">Amos 2:6-7</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/5-11.htm">Amos 5:11-12</a></span><br />Therefore, because you trample on the poor and exact from him a tax of grain, you will never live in the stone houses you have built; you will never drink the wine from the lush vineyards you have planted. / For I know that your transgressions are many and your sins are numerous. You oppress the righteous by taking bribes; you deprive the poor of justice in the gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/21-12.htm">Matthew 21:12-13</a></span><br />Then Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves. / And He declared to them, “It is written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer.’ But you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/11-15.htm">Mark 11:15-17</a></span><br />When they arrived in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began to drive out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves. / And He would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. / Then Jesus began to teach them, and He declared, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/19-45.htm">Luke 19:45-46</a></span><br />Then Jesus entered the temple courts and began to drive out those who were selling there. / He declared to them, “It is written: ‘My house will be a house of prayer.’ But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/3-12.htm">Luke 3:12-14</a></span><br />Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” / “Collect no more than you are authorized,” he answered. / Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” “Do not take money by force or false accusation,” he said. “Be content with your wages.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-34.htm">Luke 6:34-35</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/4-32.htm">Acts 4:32-35</a></span><br />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><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/nehemiah/13-8.htm">Nehemiah 13:8,25</a></b></br> And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/11-8.htm">Exodus 11:8</a></b></br> And all these thy servants shall come down unto me, and bow down themselves unto me, saying, Get thee out, and all the people that follow thee: and after that I will go out. And he went out from Pharaoh in a great anger.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/16-15.htm">Numbers 16:15</a></b></br> And Moses was very wroth, and said unto the LORD, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/nehemiah/4-7.htm">Angry</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/35-2.htm">Charges</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-1.htm">Cry</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-1.htm">Displeasing</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-15.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-1.htm">Hearing</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-1.htm">Outcry</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-4.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/nehemiah/9-26.htm">Angry</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-7.htm">Charges</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-4.htm">Cry</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-8.htm">Displeasing</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-1.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-1.htm">Hearing</a> <a href="/job/7-11.htm">Outcry</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-6.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Nehemiah 5</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/nehemiah/5-1.htm">The Jews complain of their debt, mortgage, and bondage</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/nehemiah/5-6.htm">Nehemiah rebukes the usurers, and causes them to make a covenant of restitution</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/nehemiah/5-14.htm">He forbears his own allowance, and keeps hospitality</a></span><br></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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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><b>When I heard their outcry and these complaints,</b><br>Nehemiah, as the governor of Judah, was deeply involved in the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. The outcry he heard was from the Jewish people who were suffering under economic oppression by their own countrymen. This situation reflects the social injustices that were prevalent during the post-exilic period. The complaints were about the exploitation through high-interest loans and the selling of children into slavery to pay debts, which was against the Mosaic Law (<a href="/exodus/22-25.htm">Exodus 22:25-27</a>, <a href="/leviticus/25-35.htm">Leviticus 25:35-37</a>). This highlights the importance of community and justice in the covenant relationship with God.<p><b>I became extremely angry,</b><br>Nehemiah's anger is a righteous indignation, similar to the anger of Jesus when He cleansed the temple (<a href="/john/2-13.htm">John 2:13-17</a>). This anger is not sinful but is a response to the violation of God's laws and the mistreatment of His people. Nehemiah's reaction is a call to action, demonstrating leadership that aligns with God's heart for justice and compassion. His response is also reminiscent of the prophets who spoke against social injustices, such as Amos and Isaiah, emphasizing the need for leaders to advocate for the oppressed.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/n/nehemiah.htm">Nehemiah</a></b><br>The central figure in this passage, Nehemiah was a Jewish leader and cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes. He played a crucial role in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem and reforming the community.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_jewish_people.htm">The Jewish People</a></b><br>The community in Jerusalem, who were facing economic oppression and exploitation by their own nobles and officials.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city where these events take place, significant as the center of Jewish worship and identity.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/n/nobles_and_officials.htm">Nobles and Officials</a></b><br>The Jewish leaders who were exploiting their fellow Jews through usury and unjust practices.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/o/outcry.htm">Outcry</a></b><br>The complaints and grievances of the oppressed Jewish people, which reached Nehemiah and prompted his response.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/r/righteous_anger.htm">Righteous Anger</a></b><br>Nehemiah's anger was not sinful but righteous, as it was directed against injustice and exploitation. Believers should discern when anger is appropriate and ensure it aligns with God's principles.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/advocacy_for_the_oppressed.htm">Advocacy for the Oppressed</a></b><br>Nehemiah's response to the outcry teaches us the importance of standing up for those who are oppressed and taking action against injustice within our communities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/leadership_and_accountability.htm">Leadership and Accountability</a></b><br>Nehemiah exemplifies godly leadership by holding the nobles and officials accountable. Leaders today should also ensure they are leading with integrity and justice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_responsibility.htm">Community Responsibility</a></b><br>The passage highlights the responsibility of the community to care for one another, especially the vulnerable. Christians are called to support and uplift each other.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/listening_to_the_outcry.htm">Listening to the Outcry</a></b><br>Nehemiah's attentiveness to the people's grievances reminds us of the importance of listening to those who are suffering and responding with compassion and action.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_nehemiah_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Nehemiah 5</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_nehemiah_5_poorly_corroborated.htm">The entire chapter of Nehemiah 5 portrays significant social reforms; why is there minimal corroboration from Persian-era documents or other archaeological findings?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_deeply_longs_for_justice.htm">Who seeks justice with deep longing and desire?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_no_records_of_jewish_servitude.htm">In Nehemiah 5:4-5, why do no contemporary records outside the Bible mention Jewish families losing their children to servitude under Persian rule?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_nehemiah_rebuild_and_restore.htm">How did Nehemiah rebuild Jerusalem's walls and restore faith?</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>(6) <span class= "bld">And I was very angry.</span>--Nehemiah, recently arrived, had not known this state of things. The common wailing and the three complaints in which it found expression are distinct.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/nehemiah/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 6.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">I was very angry</span>. It is not clear that the letter of the law was infringed, unless it were in the matter of taking interest (ver. 11), of which the people had not complained. That men might sell their daughters to be concubines or secondary wives is clear from <a href="/exodus/21-7.htm">Exodus 21:7</a>; and it is therefore probable that they might sell their sons for servants. But the servitude might only be for six years (<a href="/exodus/21-2.htm">Exodus 21:2</a>); and if a jubilee year occurred before the sexennial period was out, the service was ended (<a href="/leviticus/25-10.htm">Leviticus 25:10</a>). Land too might be either mortgaged or sold (<span class="accented">ibid</span>. vers. 14-16), but under the condition that it returned to the seller, or at any rate to his tribe, in the jubilee year (ibid. vers. 10, 13). The spirit, however, of the law - the command, "Ye shall not oppress one another" (<span class="accented">ibid.</span> vers. 14, 17) - was transgressed by the proceedings of the rich men. It was their duty in a time of scarcity not to press hard upon their poorer brethren, but freely to alleviate their necessities. Nehemiah, his near relations, and his followers had done so to the utmost of their power (ver. 10, with the comment). The rich men had acted differently, and made all the profit that they could out of the need of their fellow-countrymen. Hence Nehemiah's anger. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/nehemiah/5-6.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">When</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר</span> <span class="translit">(ka·’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I heard</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁמַ֙עְתִּי֙</span> <span class="translit">(šā·ma‘·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hear intelligently</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their outcry</span><br /><span class="heb">זַֽעֲקָתָ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(za·‘ă·qā·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2201.htm">Strong's 2201: </a> </span><span class="str2">A shriek, outcry</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and these</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאֵֽלֶּה׃</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’êl·leh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_428.htm">Strong's 428: </a> </span><span class="str2">These, those</span><br /><br /><span class="word">complaints,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַדְּבָרִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(had·də·ḇā·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a matter, thing, a cause</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I became extremely</span><br /><span class="heb">מְאֹ֑ד</span> <span class="translit">(mə·’ōḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3966.htm">Strong's 3966: </a> </span><span class="str2">Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedily</span><br /><br /><span class="word">angry,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּ֥חַר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yi·ḥar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2734.htm">Strong's 2734: </a> </span><span class="str2">To glow, grow warm, to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/nehemiah/5-6.htm">Nehemiah 5:6 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/nehemiah/5-6.htm">Nehemiah 5:6 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/nehemiah/5-6.htm">Nehemiah 5:6 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/nehemiah/5-6.htm">Nehemiah 5:6 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/nehemiah/5-6.htm">Nehemiah 5:6 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/nehemiah/5-6.htm">Nehemiah 5:6 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/nehemiah/5-6.htm">Nehemiah 5:6 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/nehemiah/5-6.htm">Nehemiah 5:6 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/nehemiah/5-6.htm">Nehemiah 5:6 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/nehemiah/5-6.htm">Nehemiah 5:6 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/nehemiah/5-6.htm">OT History: Nehemiah 5:6 I was very angry when I heard (Neh Ne) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/nehemiah/5-5.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Nehemiah 5:5"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Nehemiah 5:5" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/nehemiah/5-7.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Nehemiah 5:7"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Nehemiah 5:7" /></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>