Nehemiah 5:8

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].

And I said {H559} unto them, We after our ability {H1767} have redeemed {H7069} our brethren {H251} the Jews {H3064}, which were sold {H4376} unto the heathen {H1471}; and will ye even sell {H4376} your brethren {H251}? or shall they be sold {H4376} unto us? Then held they their peace {H2790}, and found {H4672} nothing {H1697} to answer.

I said to them, "We, to the limit of our ability, have redeemed our brothers the Judeans who sold themselves to the pagans. Now you are selling your own brothers, and we will have to buy them back!"They stayed silent; they couldn't think of anything to say.

and said, β€œWe 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.

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.

Commentary

Nehemiah 5:8 captures a pivotal moment of confrontation where Nehemiah, the governor, challenges the wealthy Jewish nobles and officials for their grievous exploitation of their own people. This verse highlights Nehemiah's unwavering commitment to justice and his bold leadership in defending the vulnerable.

Context of Nehemiah 5:8

This verse is set during the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. While the people faced external threats from surrounding enemies, a severe internal crisis emerged: economic oppression. The poorer Jews, burdened by taxes and famine, were forced to borrow money from their wealthier brethren at exorbitant interest rates, leading them to mortgage their fields, vineyards, and even sell their sons and daughters into debt slavery. Nehemiah, upon hearing their desperate cries, became enraged and immediately called a large assembly to address this grave injustice. His words in verse 8 are a direct and powerful rebuke to the oppressors.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Justice and Righteousness: Nehemiah vehemently advocates for social justice, condemning the practice of exploiting fellow Israelites. He reminds them of their shared heritage and the moral obligation to treat one another righteously, reflecting God's character.
  • Brotherly Solidarity and Redemption: Nehemiah contrasts his own actions with those of the oppressors. He and others had made great efforts to redeem their Jewish brethren who had been sold to foreign Gentiles, emphasizing the importance of preserving the freedom and dignity of God's people. The question, "will ye even sell your brethren?" underscores the shocking hypocrisy of their actions.
  • Confronting Hypocrisy: The nobles and rulers were shamed into silence ("Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer"). Their inability to justify their actions reveals the undeniable truth and moral weight of Nehemiah's accusation. This silence signifies conviction and the power of truth spoken boldly.
  • Leadership by Example: Nehemiah doesn't just speak; he acts. His personal sacrifice and commitment to the welfare of the people give his words immense authority. He models the kind of leadership that prioritizes the well-being of the community over personal gain, a principle echoed throughout Scripture (e.g., 1 Peter 5:2-3).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "redeemed" here is ga'al (Χ’ΦΈΦΌΧΦ·Χœ), which carries the strong connotation of "buying back" or "acting as a kinsman-redeemer." This term is significant as it ties into the broader biblical concept of redemption, where one steps in to restore what was lost, often at a cost. Nehemiah is saying that they, at great expense, reclaimed their brethren from foreign bondage, only for these wealthy Jews to effectively enslave them again, or even worse, to be the ones selling them.

Practical Application

Nehemiah 5:8 provides timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Economic Justice: It calls us to examine our own economic practices and ensure they are just and compassionate, especially towards the vulnerable. The principle of not exploiting the poor and needy is a recurring theme in the Bible (Proverbs 28:27).
  • Integrity in Leadership: Leaders, whether in the church, community, or business, are called to lead with integrity, prioritizing the welfare of those they serve over personal profit or power.
  • Caring for the Community: The verse reminds us of our responsibility to our "brethren" – fellow believers and indeed all humanity. We are called to embody the love of neighbor as ourselves, ensuring that no one within our community is oppressed or left in desperate circumstances.
  • Courageous Confrontation: Nehemiah's example teaches us the importance of courageously confronting injustice and hypocrisy, even when it means challenging those in positions of power or influence.

This verse is a powerful reminder that true faith manifests in righteous living and a deep concern for the well-being of others, especially the marginalized.

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

  • Leviticus 25:47

    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:

  • Leviticus 25:49

    Either his uncle, or his uncle's son, may redeem him, or [any] that is nigh of kin unto him of his family may redeem him; or if he be able, he may redeem himself.

  • Romans 14:15

    But if thy brother be grieved with [thy] meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.

  • Job 29:10

    The nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth.

  • Matthew 22:12

    And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.

  • Romans 3:19

    ΒΆ Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

  • 2 Corinthians 8:12

    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.
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