Nehemiah 5:12

Then said they, We will restore [them], and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise.

Then said {H559} they, We will restore {H7725} them, and will require {H1245} nothing of them; so will we do {H6213} as thou sayest {H559}. Then I called {H7121} the priests {H3548}, and took an oath {H7650} of them, that they should do {H6213} according to this promise {H1697}.

They answered, "We will give it back. We will require nothing from them. Yes, we will do it, just as you say."Then I called the cohanim and took an oath from them that they would do as they had promised.

β€œWe will restore it,” they replied, β€œand 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.

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.

Commentary

Commentary on Nehemiah 5:12 (KJV)

Nehemiah 5:12 marks a significant turning point in the social and economic crisis facing the Jewish community during the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. This verse highlights both the willingness of the oppressors to make amends and Nehemiah's diligent leadership in ensuring their promise was binding.

Context

Prior to this verse, Nehemiah, having returned as governor to rebuild the city, discovered a severe injustice within the community. Wealthy Jewish nobles and rulers were exploiting their poorer brethren, who were struggling under heavy taxes and the burden of rebuilding. These powerful individuals were charging exorbitant interest on loans, forcing families into debt, and even leading to the enslavement of children (Nehemiah 5:1-5). This practice directly violated the Mosaic Law concerning usury among fellow Israelites (Exodus 22:25, Leviticus 25:36-37). Nehemiah's strong rebuke to the nobles and rulers, appealing to their fear of God and the shame they brought upon their people, led to their agreement in this verse.

Key Themes

  • Restitution and Repentance: The nobles' declaration, "We will restore [them], and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest," signifies a crucial act of public repentance. It was not enough to merely cease the oppressive practices; they committed to actively undoing the harm, returning the fields, vineyards, and homes they had taken, and foregoing the interest they had been exacting. This demonstrates that true repentance often involves tangible acts of restitution.
  • Accountable Leadership: Nehemiah's leadership is exemplary. He didn't just confront the injustice; he ensured accountability. By calling the priests and making the nobles take an oath, he transformed a verbal promise into a solemn, religiously binding commitment. This highlights Nehemiah's foresight and dedication to justice, ensuring the promise would be upheld and the community protected. His actions reflect a leader who not only identifies problems but also implements solutions with integrity.
  • The Weight of an Oath: The act of taking an oath before the priests elevated the promise to a sacred level. In ancient Israel, an oath sworn before God was incredibly serious, invoking divine judgment if broken. The Hebrew word for "oath," shebu'ah (שְׁבוּגָה), emphasizes a solemn, binding declaration. This sacred commitment was intended to prevent any backsliding and reinforce the significance of their pledge to justice and mercy.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "took an oath of them" indicates a formal, binding agreement. In the ancient Near East, and particularly within Israelite culture, oaths were not taken lightly. They often involved invoking God's name as a witness, making the promise a covenant before the Almighty. Nehemiah's inclusion of the priests further underscored the spiritual gravity and divine witness to this promise of restitution.

Practical Application

Nehemiah 5:12 offers powerful lessons for today. It reminds us of the importance of social justice within communities, urging believers to confront and address economic and social inequalities. The verse teaches that true repentance involves not just stopping wrongdoing but actively working to restore what was taken and make amends. Furthermore, it underscores the need for leaders who are courageous enough to confront injustice and wise enough to establish mechanisms for accountability, fostering environments of fairness, integrity, and mutual support within any group or organization. The commitment made here, solidified by an oath, serves as a timeless reminder of the power and importance of keeping one's word, especially when it concerns the well-being of others.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.
Rebuilding the Walls of Jerusalem in 52 Days What the Bible Says About Leadership (Lessons from Nehemiah) An Introduction to Nehemiah: Leadership and Restoration Nehemiah: The Leader and Wall-Builder

Cross-References

  • Ezra 10:5

    Then arose Ezra, and made the chief priests, the Levites, and all Israel, to swear that they should do according to this word. And they sware.

  • Jeremiah 34:8

    ΒΆ [This is] the word that came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, after that the king Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people which [were] at Jerusalem, to proclaim liberty unto them;

  • Jeremiah 34:10

    Now when all the princes, and all the people, which had entered into the covenant, heard that every one should let his manservant, and every one his maidservant, go free, that none should serve themselves of them any more, then they obeyed, and let [them] go.

  • Nehemiah 13:25

    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.

  • 2 Chronicles 15:13

    That whosoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.

  • 2 Chronicles 15:14

    And they sware unto the LORD with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with cornets.

  • Ezra 10:12

    Then all the congregation answered and said with a loud voice, As thou hast said, so must we do.
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