Nehemiah 5:13

Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise.

Also I shook {H5287} my lap {H2684}, and said {H559}, So God {H430} shake out {H5287} every man {H376} from his house {H1004}, and from his labour {H3018}, that performeth {H6965} not this promise {H1697}, even thus be he shaken out {H5287}, and emptied {H7386}. And all the congregation {H6951} said {H559}, Amen {H543}, and praised {H1984} the LORD {H3068}. And the people {H5971} did {H6213} according to this promise {H1697}.

Shaking out the fold in my garment, I said, "May God thus shake every man from his house and from his work who fails to live up to this promise - may he be shaken out like this and made empty." The whole assembly said, "Amen!" and praised ADONAI; and the people did as they had promised.

I 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.

Also I shook out my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labor, that performeth not this promise; even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the assembly said, Amen, and praised Jehovah. And the people did according to this promise.

Commentary on Nehemiah 5:13 (KJV)

Nehemiah 5:13 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of rebuilding Jerusalem's walls, highlighting Nehemiah's resolute leadership and the community's commitment to justice. This verse concludes Nehemiah's powerful confrontation with the wealthy Jews who were exploiting their poorer brethren through usury and debt slavery.

Context

The book of Nehemiah recounts the return of Jewish exiles from Babylon and their efforts to restore Jerusalem, particularly its walls, under Nehemiah's governorship. Chapter 5 reveals a serious internal crisis: while facing external threats from enemies like Sanballat and Tobiah, the people were also suffering from severe economic oppression within their own community. The rich were charging exorbitant interest on loans, leading to the loss of lands, vineyards, and even the enslavement of children (Nehemiah 5:1-5). Nehemiah, upon hearing their desperate cry, was greatly angered. He convened a great assembly, rebuked the nobles and rulers, and called for an immediate end to the usury and the restoration of all that had been taken. Verse 13 describes the symbolic action and solemn oath taken to seal this promise.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Justice and Righteousness: Nehemiah's passionate pursuit of justice for the oppressed is central. He stands firmly against economic exploitation, demonstrating that spiritual revival must be accompanied by social righteousness. This reflects the broader Old Testament emphasis on caring for the poor and vulnerable (Proverbs 28:27).
  • Solemn Oaths and Consequences: The act of "shaking his lap" is a symbolic gesture, akin to emptying out one's cloak, signifying total disinheritance or dispossession. It serves as a visual curse, invoking divine judgment upon anyone who would break the promise to restore what was taken. This highlights the gravity of the oath and the expectation of divine enforcement.
  • Community Accountability and Agreement: The congregation's resounding "Amen" signifies their full agreement and commitment to the promise. This collective affirmation, followed by their action ("And the people did according to this promise"), underscores the importance of communal responsibility and integrity in upholding justice.
  • Integrity of Leadership: Nehemiah's leadership is exemplary. He not only identifies the injustice but actively confronts it, leading by example (as seen in Nehemiah 5:14-19, where he himself refused to take his rightful allowance). His actions inspire the people to repent and act righteously.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "shook my lap" (KJV) or "shook out my robe" (NIV) refers to shaking out the fold of one's garment, which was often used to carry items. This action powerfully symbolized the complete stripping away of possessions and livelihood from anyone who failed to uphold the promise. The repeated phrase "be he shaken out, and emptied" emphasizes the severity of the invoked curse, portraying a vivid image of destitution and loss.

Practical Application

Nehemiah 5:13 offers timeless lessons for contemporary life:

  • Ethical Conduct in Business: It serves as a strong reminder against exploitative practices, high-interest loans, and any form of financial oppression. The principle of treating others justly, especially the vulnerable, remains paramount.
  • The Weight of Promises: This verse underscores the solemnity of oaths and promises, whether made to God or to fellow human beings. Integrity in keeping one's word is a fundamental aspect of righteous living.
  • Leadership by Example: Leaders, in any sphere, are called to champion justice and demonstrate integrity, inspiring those they lead to follow suit.
  • Communal Responsibility: The "Amen" of the congregation reminds us that upholding righteousness is often a collective endeavor, requiring mutual accountability and shared commitment to ethical standards.

This passage illustrates that true restoration and spiritual well-being are inextricably linked to social justice and ethical conduct within the community.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, 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. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Acts 18:6

    And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook [his] raiment, and said unto them, Your blood [be] upon your own heads; I [am] clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

  • 1 Chronicles 16:36

    Blessed [be] the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD.

  • Zechariah 5:3

    Then said he unto me, This [is] the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off [as] on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off [as] on that side according to it.

  • Zechariah 5:4

    I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.

  • Matthew 10:14

    And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.

  • Ecclesiastes 5:5

    Better [is it] that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

  • Nehemiah 8:6

    And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with [their] faces to the ground.

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