The Hebrew word mashshâʼ, represented by H4855, refers to a loan or, by implication, the interest on a debt. Derived from the root נָשָׁה (nashah), its meaning is focused on the concepts of exaction and usury. It appears 2 times in 2 unique verses, both occurring within the same chapter of the Bible.
Both uses of H4855 are found in the book of Nehemiah, where Nehemiah confronts the nobles and rulers of Israel for their unjust financial practices. He rebukes them, saying, "Ye exact usury, every one of his brother" Nehemiah 5:7. The term is used to identify the specific sin of charging interest to fellow Israelites, which was causing hardship. Nehemiah then includes himself and his servants in the call for reform, pleading, "let us leave off this usury" Nehemiah 5:10, making it central to his efforts to restore social justice.
Several related words provide a fuller context for the prohibition against mashshâʼ:
- H5383 nâshâh: This is the verb for the action itself, meaning to lend on (taker on) usury. It is used in the very same passage where Nehemiah confronts those who might exact usury from the people Nehemiah 5:10.
- H251 ʼâch: This word for brother is crucial, as the prohibition against usury was specifically directed at dealings within the Israelite community. Nehemiah's rebuke highlights that the nobles were exacting usury from their own brother Nehemiah 5:7.
- H5800 ʻâzab: Meaning to leave (destitute, off) or relinquish, this word represents the required response to the injustice. Nehemiah uses it to command the nobles and people to leave off the practice of usury Nehemiah 5:10.
- H7378 rîyb: Signifying to contend or rebuke, this word describes Nehemiah's direct action against the leaders for allowing usury. The dossier shows he rebuked the nobles for this practice Nehemiah 5:7.
The theological significance of H4855 is tied directly to principles of covenant community and social justice.
- Covenantal Responsibility: The condemnation of usury is not merely a financial regulation but a moral command rooted in the relationship between covenant "brethren" H251. It forbids the exploitation of one Israelite by another Nehemiah 5:7.
- Righteous Leadership: Nehemiah's confrontation demonstrates that godly leaders are responsible for defending the poor and correcting economic injustice. He rebuked H7378 the powerful for their practices, setting a standard for just rule.
- Repentance in Action: The call to leave off H5800 this usury shows that repentance requires a tangible change in behavior. It was not enough to acknowledge the wrong; the oppressive action itself had to cease Nehemiah 5:10.
In summary, H4855 is a highly specific term for usury or exaction. Though used only twice, its appearance in Nehemiah 5 is pivotal. It encapsulates the injustice of profiting from the hardship of a fellow community member, a practice Nehemiah condemned as part of his restoration of the covenant community in Jerusalem. The word illustrates the biblical principle that financial dealings must be governed by justice and kinship, not exploitation.
TRV