Nehemiah 5:9

Also I said, It [is] not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies?

Also I said {H559}, It is not good {H2896} that {H1697} ye do {H6213}: ought ye not to walk {H3212} in the fear {H3374} of our God {H430} because of the reproach {H2781} of the heathen {H1471} our enemies {H341}?

I also said, "What you are doing is not good! You should be living in fear of our God, so that our pagan enemies won't have grounds for deriding us.

So 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?

Also I said, The thing that ye do is not good: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God, because of the reproach of the nations our enemies?

Commentary

Context of Nehemiah 5:9

Nehemiah 5 describes a severe internal crisis faced by the Jewish community during the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. While facing external opposition from enemies like Sanballat and Tobiah, a more insidious problem emerged from within: economic exploitation. The people, struggling with famine, heavy taxes, and the cost of rebuilding, were forced to borrow money. Wealthy Jewish nobles and officials were taking advantage of their impoverished brethren, charging excessive interest, taking their fields and vineyards as collateral, and even forcing them to sell their sons and daughters into servitude. Nehemiah, upon hearing their desperate cries, was greatly angered by this injustice.

Key Themes

  • Ethical Conduct and Social Justice: Nehemiah directly confronts the exploitation, declaring, "It is not good that ye do." This highlights God's expectation for His people to act justly and compassionately, especially towards the vulnerable within their own community.
  • The Fear of God: The central appeal in this verse is to "walk in the fear of our God." This is not merely terror, but a profound reverence, awe, and obedient respect for God's character and commands. It implies a spiritual motivation for ethical living that transcends mere legalism or social pressure.
  • Witness to the World: The phrase "because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies" underscores the critical importance of the community's testimony. Their internal actions had external consequences; unethical behavior brought shame and scorn upon God's name among the surrounding pagan nations, hindering their mission and discrediting their faith.
  • Leadership by Example: Nehemiah, as governor, not only condemns the injustice but also sets an example by stopping his own interest-taking and encouraging others to do the same, demonstrating true godly leadership.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "fear of our God" translates the Hebrew `yir'at Elohim` (יִרְאַת אֱלֹהֵינוּ). This concept, prevalent throughout the Old Testament, signifies a reverential awe that leads to obedience, moral uprightness, and a desire to please God. It is the foundation of true wisdom and right living. The word "reproach" (Hebrew: `cherpah`) denotes deep shame, disgrace, and public humiliation, emphasizing the devastating impact of their actions on their collective witness and God's reputation.

Related Scriptures

Nehemiah's condemnation of usury and exploitation aligns perfectly with the principles found throughout the Mosaic Law, which strictly prohibited charging interest on loans to fellow Israelites, especially the poor (Exodus 22:25; Leviticus 25:36; Deuteronomy 23:19-20). This demonstrates that spiritual integrity and internal justice are as vital as external defense for God's people.

Practical Application

Nehemiah 5:9 offers a timeless lesson for believers today. Our conduct, particularly within the community of faith, profoundly impacts our witness to the world. Unethical behavior, social injustice, or internal divisions can bring "reproach" upon the name of Christ, hindering the church's mission and giving critics reason to scoff. We are called to live with integrity and walk in the fear of God, ensuring our actions reflect His character and glorify Him. This verse challenges us to prioritize the well-being of our brothers and sisters, uphold justice, protect the vulnerable, and maintain a strong, consistent testimony before a watching world.

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 25:36

    Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee.

  • 1 Peter 2:12

    Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by [your] good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

  • 2 Samuel 12:14

    Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also [that is] born unto thee shall surely die.

  • Titus 2:5

    [To be] discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

  • Proverbs 16:29

    ¶ A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way [that is] not good.

  • Acts 9:31

    Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

  • Proverbs 17:26

    ¶ Also to punish the just [is] not good, [nor] to strike princes for equity.
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