Nehemiah 5:8 — Meaning and Application

King James Version

“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}.”

Nehemiah 5:8

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Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:

And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.

Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them. {I consulted...: Heb. my heart consulted in me}

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}.

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?

I likewise, {and} my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money and corn: I pray you, let us leave off this usury.

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Nehemiah 5:1

"And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews."

Nehemiah 5:2

"For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, {are} many: therefore we take up corn {for them}, that we may eat, and live."

Nehemiah 5:3

"{Some} also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth."

Nehemiah 5:4

"There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute, {and that upon} our lands and vineyards."

Nehemiah 5:5

"Yet now our flesh {is} as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and {some} of our daughters are brought unto bondage {already}: neither {is it} in our power {to redeem them}; for other men have our lands and vineyards."

Nehemiah 5:6

"And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words."

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