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Now you are selling your own people, only for them to be sold back to us!&#8221 They kept quiet, because they could find nothing to say. <a href="/nlt/nehemiah/5.htm">New Living Translation</a> At the meeting I said to them, “We are doing all we can to redeem our Jewish relatives who have had to sell themselves to pagan foreigners, but you are selling them back into slavery again. How often must we redeem them?” And they had nothing to say in their defense. <a href="/esv/nehemiah/5.htm">English Standard Version</a> and said to them, “We, as far as we are able, have bought back our Jewish brothers who have been sold to the nations, but you even sell your brothers that they may be sold to us!” They were silent and could not find a word to say. <a href="/bsb/nehemiah/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> and said, “We have done our best to buy back our Jewish brothers who were sold to foreigners, but now you are selling your own brothers, that they may be sold back to us!” But they remained silent, for they could find nothing to say. <a href="/kjv/nehemiah/5.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/nehemiah/5.htm">New King James Version</a> And I said to them, “According to our ability we have redeemed our Jewish brethren who were sold to the nations. Now indeed, will you even sell your brethren? Or should they be sold to us?” Then they were silenced and found nothing to say. <a href="/nasb_/nehemiah/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And I said to them, “We, according to our ability, have redeemed our Jewish brothers who were sold to the nations; now would you even sell your brothers that they may be sold to us?” Then they were silent and could not find a word to say. <a href="/nasb/nehemiah/5.htm">NASB 1995</a> I said to them, &#8220We according to our ability have redeemed our Jewish brothers who were sold to the nations; now would you even sell your brothers that they may be sold to us?&#8221 Then they were silent and could not find a word to say. <a href="/nasb77/nehemiah/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And I said to them, “We according to our ability have redeemed our Jewish brothers who were sold to the nations; now would you even sell your brothers that they may be sold to us?” Then they were silent and could not find a word to say. <a href="/lsb/nehemiah/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> I said to them, “We, according to our ability, have bought back our Jewish brothers who were sold to the nations; and now would you also sell your brothers that they may be sold to us?” Then they were silent and could not find a word to say. <a href="/amp/nehemiah/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a> I said to them, “According to our ability we have redeemed (purchased back) our Jewish brothers who were sold to the [Gentile] nations; now would you even sell your brothers, that they might be sold to us?” Then they were silent and could not find a [single] word to say. <a href="/csb/nehemiah/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> and said, “We have done our best to buy back our Jewish countrymen who were sold to foreigners, but now you sell your own countrymen, and we have to buy them back.” They remained silent and could not say a word. <a href="/hcsb/nehemiah/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> and said, &#8220We have done our best to buy back our Jewish countrymen who were sold to foreigners, but now you sell your own countrymen, and we have to buy them back.&#8221 They remained silent and could not say a word. <a href="/asv/nehemiah/5.htm">American Standard Version</a> And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, that were sold unto the nations; and would ye even sell your brethren, and should they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found never a word. <a href="/cev/nehemiah/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> by saying, "We have tried to buy back all of our people who were sold into exile. But here you are, selling more of them for us to buy back!" The officials and leaders did not say a word, because they knew this was true. <a href="/erv/nehemiah/5.htm">English Revised Version</a> And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and would ye even sell your brethren, and should they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found never a word. <a href="/gwt/nehemiah/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Then I told them, "We have done our best to buy back our Jewish relatives who had been sold to other nations. Now you are selling your Jewish relatives so that we have to buy them back again!" They were unable to say anything. <a href="/gnt/nehemiah/5.htm">Good News Translation</a> and said, "As far as we have been able, we have been buying back our Jewish relatives who had to sell themselves to foreigners. Now you are forcing your own relatives to sell themselves to you, their own people!" The leaders were silent and could find nothing to say. <a href="/isv/nehemiah/5.htm">International Standard Version</a> I accused them, "To the best of our ability, we've been buying back our fellow Jews who had been sold to foreigners. Even now you're selling your fellow countrymen, only for them to be sold back to us!" They kept quiet and never spoke a word. <a href="/msb/nehemiah/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> and said, ?We have done our best to buy back our Jewish brothers who were sold to foreigners, but now you are selling your own brothers, that they may be sold back to us!? But they remained silent, for they could find nothing to say. <a href="/net/nehemiah/5.htm">NET Bible</a> I said to them, "To the extent possible we have bought back our fellow Jews who had been sold to the Gentiles. But now you yourselves want to sell your own countrymen, so that we can then buy them back!" They were utterly silent, and could find nothing to say. <a href="/nheb/nehemiah/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> 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 never a word. <a href="/wbt/nehemiah/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And I said to them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, who were sold to the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold to us? Then they held their peace, and found nothing to answer. <a href="/web/nehemiah/5.htm">World English Bible</a> 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. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/nehemiah/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and say to them, “We have acquired our brothers the Jews, those sold to the nations, according to the ability that [is] in us, and you also sell your brothers, and they have been sold to us!” And they are silent, and have not found a word. <a href="/ylt/nehemiah/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and say to them, 'We have acquired our brethren the Jews, those sold to the nations, according to the ability that is in us, and ye also sell your brethren, and they have been sold to us!' and they are silent, and have not found a word. <a href="/slt/nehemiah/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And saying to them, We bought off our brethren the Jews, being sold to the nations; according to the sufficiency in us and also will ye sell your brethren? and were they sold to us? And they will be silent, and they found not a word.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/nehemiah/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And I said to them: We, as you know, have redeemed according to our ability our brethren the Jews, that were sold to the Gentiles: and will you then sell your brethren, for us to redeem them ? And they held their peace, and found not what to answer. <a href="/cpdv/nehemiah/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And I said to them: “As you know, in accord with what was possible for us, we have redeemed our brothers, the Jews, who had been sold to the Gentiles. And yet you now sell your brothers, and we must redeem them?” And they were silent, nor did they find anything to answer. <a href="/nabre/nehemiah/5.htm">New American Bible</a> saying to them: “As far as we were able, we bought back our Jewish kindred who had been sold to Gentiles; you, however, are selling your own kindred, to have them bought back by us.” They remained silent, for they could find no answer. <a href="/nrsvce/nehemiah/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> and said to them, “As far as we were able, we have bought back our Jewish kindred who had been sold to other nations; but now you are selling your own kin, who must then be bought back by us!” They were silent, and could not find a word to say.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/nehemiah/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> We are redeeming our brethren the Jews, who were sold to the nations, both they and their children, and will you even take a man in pledge for his brother? Therefore I shouted at them, and said to them, Will you also sell your brethren? Then they were silent, and did not answer me. <a href="/hpbt/nehemiah/5.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And I said to them: “We are purchasing our brethren the Judeans who were sold to those nations, and their sons, are you taking captive each man his brother?” Because of this, I gave a cry against them, and I said to them: “Shall you also sell your brothers?” And they kept silent and did not give me an answer.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/nehemiah/5.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And I said unto them: 'We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, that sold themselves unto the heathen; and would ye nevertheless sell your brethren, and should they sell themselves unto us?' Then held they their peace, and found never a word. <a href="/sep/nehemiah/5.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> and I said to them, We of our free-will have redeemed our brethren the Jews that were sold to the Gentiles; and do ye sell your brethren? and shall they be delivered to us? And they were silent, and found no answer. <a href="/parallel/nehemiah/5-8.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=1083" 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> …7and 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 8<a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: wā·’ō·mə·rāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs:: 3fs) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">and said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/587.htm" title="587: ’ă·naḥ·nū (Pro-1cp) -- We. Apparently from 'anokiy; we.">“We</a> <a href="/hebrew/1767.htm" title="1767: kə·ḏê (Prep-k:: N-msc) -- Sufficiency, enough. Of uncertain derivation; enough, used chiefly with preposition in phrases.">have done our best</a> <a href="/hebrew/ḇā·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: wə·ḡam- (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/7069.htm" title="7069: qā·nî·nū (V-Qal-Perf-1cp) -- A primitive root; to erect, i.e. Create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase; by implication to own.">to buy back</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/3064.htm" title="3064: hay·yə·hū·ḏîm (Art:: N-proper-mp) -- Jewish. Patronymically from Yhuwdah; a Jehudite, or descendant of Jehudah.">our Jewish</a> <a href="/hebrew/251.htm" title="251: ’a·ḥê·nū (N-mpc:: 1cp) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab).">brothers</a> <a href="/hebrew/4376.htm" title="4376: han·nim·kā·rîm (Art:: V-Nifal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To sell. A primitive root; to sell, literally, or figuratively.">who were sold</a> <a href="/hebrew/1471.htm" title="1471: lag·gō·w·yim (Prep-l, Art:: N-mp) -- Rarely goy; apparently from the same root as gevah; a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts.">to foreigners,</a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ’at·tem (Pro-2mp) -- You (masc. sing.). ">but now you</a> <a href="/hebrew/4376.htm" title="4376: tim·kə·rū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- To sell. A primitive root; to sell, literally, or figuratively.">are selling</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/251.htm" title="251: ’ă·ḥê·ḵem (N-mpc:: 2mp) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab).">your own brothers,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4376.htm" title="4376: wə·nim·kə·rū- (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-ConjPerf-3cp) -- To sell. A primitive root; to sell, literally, or figuratively.">that they may be sold back</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- ">to us!”</a> <a href="/hebrew/2790.htm" title="2790: way·ya·ḥă·rî·šū (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To cut in, engrave, plow, devise.">But they remained silent,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4672.htm" title="4672: mā·ṣə·’ū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To attain to, find. ">for they could find</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">nothing</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: dā·ḇār (N-ms) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">to say.</a> 9So I continued, “What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our foreign enemies?…<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="/leviticus/25-35.htm">Leviticus 25:35-43</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="/exodus/22-25.htm">Exodus 22:25</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. <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="/deuteronomy/15-12.htm">Deuteronomy 15:12-15</a> If a fellow Hebrew, a man or a woman, is sold to you and serves you six years, then in the seventh year you must set him free. / And when you release him, do not send him away empty-handed. / You are to furnish him liberally from your flock, your threshing floor, and your winepress. You shall give to him as the LORD your God has blessed you. ... <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 34:8-17</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="/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="/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/18-23.htm">Matthew 18:23-35</a> Because of this, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. / As he began the settlements, a debtor owing ten thousand talents was brought to him. / Since the man was unable to pay, the master ordered that he be sold to pay his debt, along with his wife and children and everything he owned. ... <a href="/luke/4-18.htm">Luke 4:18-19</a> “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, / to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” <a href="/luke/6-34.htm">Luke 6:34-36</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. / Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. <a href="/luke/12-33.htm">Luke 12:33-34</a> Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide yourselves with purses that will not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. <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, ... <a href="/romans/13-8.htm">Romans 13:8</a> Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And I said to them, We after our ability have redeemed our brothers the Jews, which were sold to the heathen; and will you even sell your brothers? or shall they be sold to us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer.We after<a href="/matthew/25-15.htm">Matthew 25:15,29</a> And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey… <a href="/2_corinthians/8-12.htm">2 Corinthians 8:12</a> For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.<a href="/galatians/6-10.htm">Galatians 6:10</a> As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.redeemed<a href="/leviticus/25-47.htm">Leviticus 25:47-49</a> And if a sojourner or stranger wax rich by thee, and thy brother that dwelleth by him wax poor, and sell himself unto the stranger or sojourner by thee, or to the stock of the stranger's family: … sell your<a href="/exodus/21-16.htm">Exodus 21:16</a> And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.<a href="/deuteronomy/24-7.htm">Deuteronomy 24:7</a> If a man be found stealing any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and maketh merchandise of him, or selleth him; then that thief shall die; and thou shalt put evil away from among you.shall they<a href="/romans/14-15.htm">Romans 14:15</a> But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.<a href="/1_corinthians/8-11.htm">1 Corinthians 8:11</a> And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?held<a href="/job/29-10.htm">Job 29:10</a> The nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth.<a href="/job/32-15.htm">Job 32:15</a> They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking.<a href="/matthew/22-12.htm">Matthew 22:12</a> And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezra/2-69.htm">Ability</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-10.htm">Able</a> <a href="/1_kings/16-24.htm">Bought</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-19.htm">Far</a> <a href="/ezra/8-15.htm">Find</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-5.htm">Found</a> <a href="/ezra/6-21.htm">Heathen</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-7.htm">Held</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-1.htm">Jewish</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-1.htm">Jews</a> <a href="/nehemiah/1-8.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-9.htm">Nevertheless</a> <a href="/ezra/9-12.htm">Peace</a> <a href="/nehemiah/1-10.htm">Redeemed</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-17.htm">Sell</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-36.htm">Silent</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-17.htm">Sold</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-17.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-20.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/daniel/1-4.htm">Ability</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-3.htm">Able</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-16.htm">Bought</a> <a href="/nehemiah/11-30.htm">Far</a> <a href="/nehemiah/8-14.htm">Find</a> <a href="/nehemiah/7-5.htm">Found</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-9.htm">Heathen</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-16.htm">Held</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-24.htm">Jewish</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-17.htm">Jews</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-9.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-26.htm">Nevertheless</a> <a href="/nehemiah/8-11.htm">Peace</a> <a href="/nehemiah/7-64.htm">Redeemed</a> <a href="/nehemiah/10-31.htm">Sell</a> <a href="/nehemiah/8-11.htm">Silent</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-15.htm">Sold</a> <a href="/nehemiah/8-1.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-4.htm">Word</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>and said, “We have done our best to buy back our Jewish brothers who were sold to foreigners, This phrase highlights Nehemiah's efforts to redeem fellow Jews who had been sold into slavery to foreign nations. The practice of redeeming or buying back individuals is rooted in the Levitical law (<a href="/leviticus/25-47.htm">Leviticus 25:47-49</a>), which provided a means for relatives to redeem family members who had fallen into servitude. This reflects the communal responsibility and solidarity among the Israelites. Historically, during the Babylonian exile, many Jews were taken as captives and sold. Nehemiah's actions demonstrate a commitment to restoring the community and upholding the dignity of his people.but now you are selling your own brothers, Nehemiah confronts the nobles and officials for exploiting their fellow Jews by selling them into slavery. This internal oppression contradicts the covenantal laws that emphasize justice and compassion among the Israelites (<a href="/exodus/21-2.htm">Exodus 21:2-11</a>). The selling of fellow Jews into slavery was a violation of the spirit of the law, which sought to protect the vulnerable within the community. This phrase underscores the moral and ethical decline among the leaders, who prioritized personal gain over communal welfare.that they may be sold back to us!” Nehemiah points out the absurdity and injustice of the situation, where Jews are being sold and then bought back by their own people. This cycle of exploitation and redemption highlights the systemic issues within the community. It reflects a failure to adhere to the principles of justice and mercy outlined in the Mosaic Law. The situation is reminiscent of the broader biblical theme of redemption, where God redeems His people from bondage, as seen in the Exodus narrative.But they remained silent, The silence of the nobles and officials indicates their guilt and inability to justify their actions. In biblical narratives, silence often signifies acknowledgment of wrongdoing or the weight of conviction (<a href="/job/40-4.htm">Job 40:4-5</a>). This moment of silence can be seen as a turning point, where the leaders are confronted with the moral implications of their actions and the need for repentance and reform.for they could find nothing to say. The inability to respond suggests that Nehemiah's rebuke was irrefutable. This phrase emphasizes the power of truth and righteousness in confronting injustice. It also reflects the biblical principle that actions contrary to God's law cannot stand against the truth (<a href="/proverbs/10-19.htm">Proverbs 10:19</a>). The leaders' silence serves as an implicit admission of their failure to uphold the covenantal responsibilities, paving the way for potential restitution and reconciliation within the community.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/n/nehemiah.htm">Nehemiah</a> The central figure in the book, Nehemiah was a cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes and later became the governor of Judah. He led the efforts to rebuild Jerusalem's walls and reform the community. 2. <a href="/topical/j/jewish_brothers.htm">Jewish Brothers</a> Refers to the fellow Israelites who were being sold into slavery due to economic hardship. Nehemiah and others had been working to redeem them from Gentile owners. 3. <a href="/topical/g/gentiles.htm">Gentiles</a> Non-Jewish people who, in this context, had purchased Jewish individuals as slaves. The term highlights the external pressures and challenges faced by the Jewish community. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_nobles_and_officials.htm">The Nobles and Officials</a> Jewish leaders who were exploiting their fellow Jews by lending money at interest and taking their lands and children as collateral, leading to their enslavement. 5. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a> The city where these events take place, significant as the center of Jewish life and worship, and the focus of Nehemiah's rebuilding efforts.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_justice_and_compassion.htm">The Call to Justice and Compassion</a> Nehemiah's confrontation with the nobles and officials highlights the importance of justice and compassion within the community of believers. We are called to treat each other with fairness and love, reflecting God's character. <a href="/topical/t/the_dangers_of_exploitation.htm">The Dangers of Exploitation</a> The exploitation of the vulnerable for personal gain is condemned. Believers must be vigilant against practices that harm others, especially within the faith community. <a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_silence_and_conviction.htm">The Power of Silence and Conviction</a> The nobles' silence in response to Nehemiah's rebuke shows the power of truth to convict. We should be open to correction and willing to change when confronted with our wrongdoings. <a href="/topical/r/redemption_and_restoration.htm">Redemption and Restoration</a> Nehemiah's efforts to redeem his fellow Jews from slavery illustrate the broader biblical theme of redemption. As believers, we are called to participate in God's work of restoring and redeeming lives. <a href="/topical/c/community_responsibility.htm">Community Responsibility</a> The passage underscores the responsibility of the community to care for its members. We are to support and uplift one another, ensuring that no one is left in need or oppression.<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/could_a_jewish_foreigner_become_queen.htm">Esther 5:1 - How plausible is it that a Jewish foreigner could have risen to queen with no corroborating Persian records?</a> <a href="/q/why_did_levites_oversee_construction.htm">(Ezra 3:8-9) Why would Levites, rather than skilled foremen or Persian officials, be in charge of supervising construction under Persian rule?</a> <a href="/q/how_reconcile_god's_promise_with_israel's_exiles.htm">How do we reconcile God's promise never to forsake Israel (Deut. 31:6) with the nation's repeated historical exiles and oppressions?</a> <a href="/q/how_to_find_joy_and_unity_in_christ.htm">How can we find joy and unity in Christ?</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>(8) Will ye even sell your brethren?--The appeal is a strong one. Nehemiah and his friends had redeemed Jews from the heathen with money; these men had caused Jews to be sold to Jews.Nothing to answer.--They might have replied had the letter of the law been urged; but this argument puts them to shame.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/nehemiah/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 8. - We after our ability have redeemed our brethren. "We," here, may be either "we Jews of the captivity," in contrast with "you who have long returned from it," or "we of my house and household" (equivalent to the "I, my brethren, and my servants" of ver. 10), in contrast with "you rich Jews not of my household." Nehemiah must appeal to a well-known fact, that he and others had been in the habit of redeeming enslaved Jews among the heathen. Will ye even sell your brethren? An argumenturn ad verecundiam. Will ye do the exact opposite? Cause your brethren to be sold into slavery? And not to heathen masters, but to men of their own nation, unto us? Roman creditors, if they sold their debtor slaves, were required by law to sell them across the Tiber - to men of a different race. It was felt to add to the indignity of the slave condition that one should have to serve one's own countryman, recently one's equal and (perhaps) acquaintance. They held their peace, and found nothing to answer. Or, "found never a word. The argument told. It admitted of no reply. The nobles were ashamed, and had not a word to say. <a href="/commentaries/nehemiah/5-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>and said, וָאֹמְרָ֣ה (wā·’ō·mə·rāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “We אֲנַ֣חְנוּ (’ă·naḥ·nū) Pronoun - first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_587.htm">Strong's 587: </a> We have done our best כְּדֵ֣י (kə·ḏê) Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1767.htm">Strong's 1767: </a> Sufficiency, enough to buy back קָ֠נִינוּ (qā·nî·nū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7069.htm">Strong's 7069: </a> To erect, create, to procure, by purchase, to own our Jewish הַיְּהוּדִ֜ים (hay·yə·hū·ḏîm) Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3064.htm">Strong's 3064: </a> Jews -- Jewish brothers אַחֵ֨ינוּ (’a·ḥê·nū) Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_251.htm">Strong's 251: </a> A brother, ) who were sold הַנִּמְכָּרִ֤ים (han·nim·kā·rîm) Article | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4376.htm">Strong's 4376: </a> To sell to foreigners, לַגּוֹיִם֙ (lag·gō·w·yim) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1471.htm">Strong's 1471: </a> A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts but now you אַתֶּ֛ם (’at·tem) Pronoun - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> Thou and thee, ye and you are selling תִּמְכְּר֥וּ (tim·kə·rū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4376.htm">Strong's 4376: </a> To sell your own brothers, אֲחֵיכֶ֖ם (’ă·ḥê·ḵem) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_251.htm">Strong's 251: </a> A brother, ) that they may be sold back וְנִמְכְּרוּ־ (wə·nim·kə·rū-) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4376.htm">Strong's 4376: </a> To sell to us!” לָ֑נוּ (lā·nū) Preposition | first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> But they remained silent, וַֽיַּחֲרִ֔ישׁוּ (way·ya·ḥă·rî·šū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2790.htm">Strong's 2790: </a> To cut in, engrave, plow, devise for they could find מָצְא֖וּ (mā·ṣə·’ū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4672.htm">Strong's 4672: </a> To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present nothing וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no to say. דָּבָֽר׃ (dā·ḇār) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> To arrange, to speak, to subdue <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/nehemiah/5-8.htm">Nehemiah 5:8 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/nehemiah/5-8.htm">Nehemiah 5:8 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/nehemiah/5-8.htm">Nehemiah 5:8 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/nehemiah/5-8.htm">Nehemiah 5:8 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/nehemiah/5-8.htm">Nehemiah 5:8 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/nehemiah/5-8.htm">Nehemiah 5:8 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/nehemiah/5-8.htm">Nehemiah 5:8 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/nehemiah/5-8.htm">Nehemiah 5:8 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/nehemiah/5-8.htm">Nehemiah 5:8 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/nehemiah/5-8.htm">Nehemiah 5:8 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-8.htm">OT History: Nehemiah 5:8 I said to them We after our (Neh Ne) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/nehemiah/5-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Nehemiah 5:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Nehemiah 5:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/nehemiah/5-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Nehemiah 5:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Nehemiah 5:9" /></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>