Reform of Economic Oppression
Nehemiah 5:1-19
Neh.5.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותהי: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- צעקת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ונשיהם: NOUN,f,pl,prsuf
- גדולה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- אחיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs,suff,3,m,pl
- היהודים: NOUN,m,pl,def
Parallels
- Exodus 2:23 (thematic): A communal cry arising from oppression—Exodus speaks of the Israelites' outcry under Egyptian bondage, paralleling Nehemiah’s description of a great public complaint.
- Leviticus 25:39-43 (thematic): Legal concern for Israelites sold as bondservants; parallels Nehemiah’s account of fellow Jews being impoverished, sold, or reduced to servitude by their brethren.
- Deuteronomy 15:12-15 (thematic): Command to release Hebrew servants and treat them kindly in the year of release; provides the ethical-legal background to the abuses that provoke the outcry in Nehemiah.
- Amos 5:11-12 (thematic): Prophetic denunciation of exploitation, trampling the poor and taking pledges—themes of economic injustice and social oppression that underlie the people's complaint in Neh 5.
- Psalm 12:5 (thematic): Mention of the plight and groaning of the needy and God’s concern for the oppressed—echoes the motif of a communal cry against injustice found in Nehemiah 5:1.
Alternative generated candidates
- And a great outcry of the people and their wives rose up against their Jewish brethren.
- Now there arose a great outcry of the people and their wives against their fellow Jews.
Neh.5.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויש: CONJ+VERB,qal,pres,3,_,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אמרים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בנינו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+1,pl
- ובנתינו: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,suff:1,pl
- אנחנו: PRON,1,pl
- רבים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- ונקחה: VERB,qal,impf,1,?,pl
- דגן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ונאכלה: VERB,qal,impf,1,m,pl
- ונחיה: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,1,pl
Parallels
- Ruth 1:1 (thematic): Both describe a famine in the land that forces families to seek food or relocate; the motive is survival for sons and daughters.
- Genesis 41:56-57 (thematic): During the famine under Joseph, people appeal to grain to live—parallels the practical urgency in Nehemiah to obtain grain so families will survive.
- 2 Kings 4:1 (thematic): A widow faces creditors threatening to take her sons because of debt; echoes Nehemiah's context where lack of grain and economic pressure endanger families and children.
- Leviticus 25:39-40 (thematic): Addresses the practice of a poor brother becoming a servant to survive—connects with the social/economic distress behind Nehemiah’s appeal to obtain grain for his many children.
- Deuteronomy 28:53 (thematic): A curse describing extreme famine and parents' desperation concerning their children; highlights the severity and existential fear for offspring reflected in Nehemiah's statement.
Alternative generated candidates
- Some said, “We and our sons and our daughters are many; we must get grain so that we may eat and live.”
- Some said, “We and our sons and daughters are many; let us sell our grain and eat and live.”
Neh.5.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויש: CONJ+VERB,qal,pres,3,_,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אמרים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- שדתינו: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וכרמינו: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ובתינו: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- אנחנו: PRON,1,pl
- ערבים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ונקחה: VERB,qal,impf,1,?,pl
- דגן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ברעב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Genesis 47:13-21 (thematic): Famine causes people to seek grain and to surrender money/land to obtain food, paralleling the economic desperation and borrowing for grain in Nehemiah.
- Ruth 1:1; 2:2-3 (thematic): A family departs Bethlehem because of famine and members must seek grain (gleaning) to survive—echoes the theme of households and children affected by lack of food.
- 2 Kings 6:25-29 (thematic): Siege-induced famine in Samaria forces people to drastic measures to obtain food; parallels the social crisis and hunger-driven actions described in Nehemiah.
- Deuteronomy 15:7-11 (structural): Instruction to open one’s hand to the poor and not harden heart toward needy kinsmen resonates with Nehemiah’s later rebuke of wealthy Jews who exacted interest and withheld relief.
- Proverbs 22:7 (thematic): ‘The borrower is servant to the lender’ captures the social reality of indebtedness and loss of autonomy implicit in Neh 5:3’s plea to take grain to live.
Alternative generated candidates
- Others said, “We have mortgaged our fields and vineyards and houses; we must buy grain because of the famine.”
- Others said, “We have mortgaged our fields, vineyards, and houses; now we must buy grain because of the famine.”
Neh.5.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויש: CONJ+VERB,qal,pres,3,_,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אמרים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לוינו: VERB,qal,perf,1,NA,pl
- כסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- למדת: VERB,qal,perf,2,f,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- שדתינו: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וכרמינו: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Nehemiah 5:3 (structural): Immediate context — the same complaint that families have mortgaged fields, vineyards, and houses and are borrowing to pay the king’s tax; closely tied narrative parallel.
- Leviticus 25:35-37 (allusion): Law commanding that Israelites support needy kinsmen and not charge interest or increase on loans — background for the reproach against fellow Jews taking advantage through loans.
- Deuteronomy 15:7-11 (thematic): Commands open-handed aid and cancellation of debts in the year of release; addresses the social and moral duty to relieve the poor who otherwise must borrow to pay obligations.
- Exodus 22:25 (verbal): Prohibits charging interest to the poor among you — a legal parallel to Nehemiah’s critique of fellow Israelites profiting from loans to brethren.
- Proverbs 22:7 (thematic): States that the borrower becomes the lender’s servant — underscores the social consequence of indebtedness exemplified by those borrowing to pay the king’s tax.
Alternative generated candidates
- And there were those who said, “We have borrowed money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards.”
- Others said, “We have borrowed money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards.”
Neh.5.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועתה: CONJ
- כבשר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחינו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:1pl
- בשרנו: NOUN,m,sg,poss
- כבניהם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs,3pl
- בנינו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+1,pl
- והנה: ADV
- אנחנו: PRON,1,pl
- כבשים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- בנינו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+1,pl
- ואת: CONJ
- בנתינו: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- לעבדים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ויש: CONJ+VERB,qal,pres,3,_,sg
- מבנתינו: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs,1pl
- נכבשות: VERB,niphal,part,f,pl
- ואין: CONJ+PART,exist
- לאל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ידנו: NOUN,f,sg,abs,1pl
- ושדתינו: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs,1pl
- וכרמינו: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs,1pl
- לאחרים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Leviticus 25:39-43 (structural): Provides the legal background for Israelite servitude: commands how to treat a poor brother who becomes a servant, directly relevant to Nehemiah’s complaint about brethren and children being made servants.
- Deuteronomy 15:12-15 (structural): Prescribes the treatment and release of Hebrew servants in the year of release—relevant law against perpetual servitude that underlies Nehemiah’s protest about sons and daughters kept as servants.
- Micah 2:1-3 (thematic): Condemns those who covet and seize fields and houses from others—parallels Nehemiah’s accusation that fields and vineyards have been taken from the people by creditors.
- Amos 2:6-7 (thematic): Denounces selling the righteous and needy for silver and trampling the poor—echoes Nehemiah’s charge that the poor and their children are being reduced to servitude for the benefit of others.
- Jeremiah 34:8-11 (allusion): Narrates an episode in Jerusalem where people freed their slaves and then re-enslaved them again—parallels the social crisis in Nehemiah over forced servitude and broken obligations toward fellow Israelites.
Alternative generated candidates
- And now—our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers, our children as their children—behold, we are forcing our sons and daughters to be slaves; some of our daughters have been compelled, and there is no one to redeem them; our fields and vineyards belong to others.
- And they said, “We are forcibly selling our sons and daughters—some of our daughters are in bondage; there is no one to redeem them, and our fields and vineyards belong to others.”
Neh.5.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויחר: VERB,qal,imf,3,m,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- מאד: ADV
- כאשר: CONJ
- שמעתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- זעקתם: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- ואת: CONJ
- הדברים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
Parallels
- Exodus 3:7-8 (thematic): God reports that he has 'seen' the affliction of Israel and 'heard' their cry and resolves to act — parallel theme of hearing the oppressed' outcry and a strong emotional/decisive response.
- Psalm 10:17-18 (thematic): Psalmist speaks of God hearing the desire of the afflicted and acting on their behalf — echoes the motif of hearing a cry of injustice and responding.
- 1 Samuel 8:6 (verbal): When Samuel hears the people's demand for a king 'it displeased' him (Heb. phrasing of anger/distress) — a close verbal/affective parallel to Nehemiah's intense anger on hearing the cry.
- Ezra 9:3-4 (structural): Upon hearing of the people's unfaithfulness Ezra reacts with shock and mourning (tearing garments, prostration) — similar narrative pattern of a leader's immediate emotional response on hearing grievous news.
Alternative generated candidates
- And I became very angry when I heard their outcry and these words.
- When I heard their outcry and these words my heart was very angry.
Neh.5.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וימלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לבי: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1cs
- עלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- ואריבה: VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- החרים: NOUN,prop,m,pl,def
- ואת: CONJ
- הסגנים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ואמרה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- משא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- באחיו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,poss:3ms
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- נשים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ואתן: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- קהלה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- גדולה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 23:19-20 (verbal): Explicit prohibition against charging interest to a fellow Israelite echoes Nehemiah’s complaint about nobles exacting usury and taking pledges from their countrymen.
- Leviticus 25:35-37 (verbal): Law directing Israelites to aid poor kinsmen without taking interest or profiting from them parallels Nehemiah’s rebuke of those who exploited needy Jews.
- Deuteronomy 24:10-13 (thematic): Requirement to return a debtor’s pledge (e.g., cloak) before nightfall reflects the concern in Nehemiah over taking and holding fields, houses and personal property as security from impoverished brothers.
- Psalm 15:5 (verbal): The psalm’s description of the righteous—who ‘does not put out his money at interest’—resonates with Nehemiah’s demand that fellow Jews stop exacting usury and restore what was taken.
- Amos 5:11 (thematic): Prophetic condemnation of those who oppress the poor for profit and ‘buy the poor for silver’ parallels Nehemiah’s denunciation of economic exploitation within the community.
Alternative generated candidates
- And I contended with the nobles and the officials; I said to them, “What you are doing is not good—each of you exacts interest from his brother.” So I called a great assembly against them.
- So I rebuked the nobles and the officials, and I said to them, “You exact interest from your own brothers and lay upon them a heavy burden.”
Neh.5.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואמרה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- אנחנו: PRON,1,pl
- קנינו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- אחינו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:1pl
- היהודים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- הנמכרים: ADJ,ptcp,nifal,m,pl,def
- לגוים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- כדי: CONJ
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- וגם: CONJ
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- תמכרו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- אחיכם: NOUN,m,sg,abs+2,m,pl
- ונמכרו: VERB,nifal,perf,3,m,pl
- לנו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- ויחרישו: VERB,qal,imperf,3,m,pl
- ולא: CONJ
- מצאו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Leviticus 25:39-46 (thematic): Laws concerning Israelites sold into servitude and distinctions between selling kin and foreign slaves — background for Nehemiah’s protest against selling Jewish brethren.
- Deuteronomy 15:12-15 (verbal): Regulations for releasing or redeeming a Hebrew servant and the language of redeeming/buying back kin, resonating with 'we have bought back our Jewish brethren.'
- Jeremiah 34:8-16 (allusion): Prophetic condemnation of Judah’s leaders who promised to free their slaves and then re-enslaved them — parallels Nehemiah’s denunciation of exploiting and selling fellow Jews.
- Ruth 4:4-10 (structural): The kinsman-redeemer motif: a relative redeems (buys back) family rights and integrates a disenfranchised kin into the community — echoes the idea of redeeming Jewish brethren.
- Amos 2:6 (thematic): Condemnation of selling the righteous and needy for profit — thematically parallels the injustice of selling fellow Israelites into foreign bondage.
Alternative generated candidates
- I said to them, “We, as far as we could, have redeemed our Jewish brethren who were sold to the nations; shall you also sell your brethren? Or shall they be sold to us?” And they were silent and could not find a word.
- And I said, “We bought back our Jewish brothers who had been sold to the nations—shall you then sell your brothers? Would they be sold to us?” But they were silent and could find no answer.
Neh.5.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואומר: VERB,qal,impf,1,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- טוב: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- הדבר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- עשים: VERB,qal,inf
- הלוא: PART
- ביראת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cstr
- אלהינו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:1,pl
- תלכו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- מחרפת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cons
- הגוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אויבינו: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Nehemiah 5:10 (structural): Immediate continuation in the same episode — Nehemiah expands on the remedy and his own example after criticizing the nobles, showing the practical follow‑up to the rebuke in v.9.
- Deuteronomy 28:25 (thematic): Warnings that disobedience brings defeat and disgrace before enemies, paralleling Nehemiah’s concern that unjust conduct will bring reproach from surrounding peoples.
- Deuteronomy 28:37 (verbal): Speaks of becoming a byword and object of reproach among the nations — echoes Nehemiah’s fear of bringing shame before the nations if God is not feared.
- Psalm 44:13–14 (verbal): Complaints that the people have become a taunt and byword among the nations, matching Nehemiah’s language about avoiding the reproach (mcharah) of the nations/enemies.
- Proverbs 16:6 (thematic): States that by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil — parallels Nehemiah’s admonition to ‘walk in the fear of our God’ as the means to prevent shame and injustice.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then I said, “It is not good what you are doing. Ought you not to walk in the fear of our God so that you may not be a reproach to the surrounding nations?”
- Then I said, “Is what you are doing good? Should you not walk in the fear of our God so as not to bring shame before the nations, our enemies?
Neh.5.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וגם: CONJ
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- אחי: NOUN,m,pl,suff
- ונערי: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,poss1s
- נשים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- בהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- כסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ודגן: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נעזבה: VERB,niphal,perf,3,f,sg
- נא: PART
- את: PRT,acc
- המשא: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- Exodus 22:25 (verbal): Law forbidding lending to an impoverished fellow Israelite with interest—provides the legal background to Nehemiah’s demand to cease burdening the people with loans.
- Leviticus 25:35-37 (verbal): Commands support for a needy brother and explicitly prohibits charging interest or exacting increase, echoing the ethical standard Nehemiah invokes against usury.
- Deuteronomy 23:19-20 (verbal): Distinguishes between charging interest to a foreigner and not to a brother—directly relevant to Nehemiah’s critique of fellow Israelites profiting from loans to their countrymen.
- Psalm 15:5 (thematic): Describes the righteous person as one who does not put out money at interest and does not accept a bribe—an ethical ideal that contrasts with the exploitative lending condemned in Neh 5:10.
- Proverbs 28:8 (thematic): Condemns increase gained by usury and unjust gain, thematically paralleling Nehemiah’s objection to those who enriched themselves by oppressive loans.
Alternative generated candidates
- Also I and my brothers and my servants have lent them money and grain; now let us leave off this claim.
- Also I, my brothers, and my servants have been lending them money and grain; let us now leave off this extortion.
Neh.5.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- השיבו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- נא: PART
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- כהיום: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שדתיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- כרמיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- זיתיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- ובתיהם: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- ומאת: NUM,m,sg,abs
- הכסף: NOUN,m,sg,def
- והדגן: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- התירוש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- והיצהר: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- נשים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- בהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Nehemiah 5:12 (structural): Immediate internal parallel — records the oath and promise to restore the fields, vineyards, houses, and the interest exacted, completing the action commanded in 5:11.
- Exodus 22:25 (verbal): Prohibits charging interest to a brother when lending money, echoing Nehemiah’s demand that usurious demands (money, grain, wine, oil) be returned.
- Leviticus 25:35-37 (thematic): Commands compassionate treatment of needy kinsmen and forbids taking interest or profit from them, paralleling Nehemiah’s call to restore what was exacted from fellow Israelites.
- Deuteronomy 15:7-11 (thematic): Urges generosity to the poor and the cancellation of debts (every seven years), resonating with Nehemiah’s concern to relieve economic oppression and return seized goods.
Alternative generated candidates
- Return to them now their fields, vineyards, olive orchards, and houses, and the interest on the money, the grain, the new wine, and the oil that you have been exacting from them.
- Restore now to them this very day their fields, vineyards, olive orchards, and houses, and the hundredth part of the money and of the grain, the new wine and the oil, that you have exacted from them.”
Neh.5.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- נשיב: VERB,qal,impf,1,pl
- ומהם: CONJ+PREP+PRON,3,pl
- לא: PART_NEG
- נבקש: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,pl
- כן: ADV
- נעשה: VERB,qal,impf,1,pl
- כאשר: CONJ
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- אומר: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- ואקרא: VERB,qal,imperfect,1,_,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הכהנים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ואשביעם: VERB,hif,impf,1,_,sg
- לעשות: VERB,qal,inf
- כדבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- Leviticus 25:35-38 (thematic): Commands support for needy fellow Israelites and forbids profiting (interest) off them — parallels Nehemiah’s demand to restore property and cease exacting interest from countrymen.
- Deuteronomy 23:19-20 (thematic): Prohibits charging interest to a brother while allowing it to foreigners — echoes Nehemiah’s concern with usury among Israelites and the call to desist.
- Exodus 22:25-27 (thematic): Forbids exacting interest from the poor and requires timely return of pledged items — thematically close to Nehemiah’s injunction to restore fields and remove burdens.
- Deuteronomy 24:10-13 (thematic): Regulates treatment of pledges (returning a neighbor’s cloak by nightfall) and fair handling of security — relates to Nehemiah’s insistence on returning what was taken and protecting the poor.
- Psalm 15:4 (thematic): Praise of one who keeps an oath even to his hurt — resonates with Nehemiah’s calling of the priests to swear and uphold the covenant to do justice.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then they said, “We will restore them, and we will not demand anything more from them; we will do as you say.” So I called the priests and made them take an oath to confirm this.
- Then they said, “We will restore them and require nothing; we will do as you say.” So I called the priests and made them swear to do this.
Neh.5.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- גם: ADV
- חצני: ADJ,m,sg
- נערתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- ואמרה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- ככה: ADV
- ינער: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לא: PART_NEG
- יקים: VERB,hiph,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הדבר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- מביתו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,poss:3ms
- ומיגיעו: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- וככה: CONJ+ADV
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- נעור: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,sg
- ורק: ADV
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- כל: DET
- הקהל: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אמן: INTJ
- ויהללו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כדבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- Joshua 24:24-25 (structural): Public covenant renewal before the assembly: Joshua calls the people to covenant, the people respond together and Joshua records the covenant—parallel to Nehemiah’s public imprecation, the assembly’s ‘Amen,’ and the people’s compliance.
- Ezra 10:8-12 (structural): Ezra convenes the whole assembly, pronounces a binding command and calls for action (putting away foreign wives); the community swears and carries out the decision—similar communal oath, enforcement and obedience.
- Deuteronomy 29:12-13 (thematic): A national covenant made ‘before the LORD’ with all the people assembled so that they become a people bound to obey the statutes—echoes the legal/communal character of Nehemiah’s declaration and its consequences for non‑compliance.
- Nehemiah 9:38 / 10:29 (structural): Internal parallel in Nehemiah: the people make and seal a written covenant with curses and obligations and bind themselves by oath—closely mirrors the form and communal response of 5:13.
Alternative generated candidates
- And I shook out my garment and said, “So may God shake out every man who does not perform this promise, from his house and from his labor; so shall he be shaken out and emptied.” And all the assembly said, “Amen,” and praised the LORD. And the people did as they had promised.
- I also shook out my garment and said, “So may God shake out every man from his house and from his labor who does not perform this thing.” And all the assembly said, “Amen,” and praised the LORD. And the people did accordingly.
Neh.5.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- גם: ADV
- מיום: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- צוה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אתי: PRON,1,sg
- להיות: VERB,qal,inf,NA,NA,NA
- פחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- משנת: PREP
- עשרים: NUM,card,pl
- ועד: CONJ+PREP
- שנת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- שלשים: NUM,m,pl,abs
- ושתים: NUM,f,pl,abs
- לארתחשסתא: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- שנים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- שתים: NUM,f,pl,abs
- עשרה: NUM,card,m,pl
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- ואחי: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs,1s
- לחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הפחה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לא: PART_NEG
- אכלתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
Parallels
- Neh.5.15 (structural): Immediate contrast in the same context: Nehemiah emphasizes he did not 'eat the governor's bread,' whereas v.15 condemns prior governors who exacted food and lorded it over the people.
- Ezra 7:24 (thematic): Royal provision/exemption language — Artaxerxes' decree protects temple servants from being charged; parallels the theme of officials refraining from taking support from those they serve.
- 1 Samuel 8:11-18 (thematic): Warning about rulers who take citizens' sons, daughters, fields and produce for their service — thematically parallels Nehemiah's refusal to exploit his office for food or levy on the people.
- Ezekiel 34:2-4 (thematic): Condemnation of 'shepherds' who feed themselves instead of the flock — a prophetic critique of leaders who consume the people's resources, which Nehemiah denies doing.
- Matthew 20:25-28 (thematic): Jesus' rebuke of lording it over others and his call to servant leadership echoes Nehemiah's posture of not using his official position for personal gain.
Alternative generated candidates
- From the day that I was appointed to be governor in the land of Judah— from the twentieth year until the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes the king, twelve years—I and my brothers did not eat the governor’s bread.
- From the day I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah— from the twentieth year until the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes, twelve years— I and my brothers did not eat the governor’s bread.
Neh.5.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והפחות: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,def
- הראשנים: ADJ,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לפני: PREP
- הכבידו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- על: PREP
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויקחו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- מהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- בלחם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויין: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחר: PREP
- כסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שקלים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ארבעים: NUM,m,pl
- גם: ADV
- נעריהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs,3,m,pl
- שלטו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- על: PREP
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואני: PRON,1,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- עשיתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- כן: ADV
- מפני: PREP
- יראת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Ezekiel 34:2-4 (thematic): Shepherds (leaders) who feed themselves and neglect/exploit the flock — a prophetic denunciation of leaders enriching themselves at the people's expense, paralleling governors who took food/wealth and lorded it over the people.
- Micah 3:9-11 (thematic): Accuses rulers, priests, and prophets of perverting justice and taking payment — thematic parallel of leaders who abuse office for personal gain (eating, taking money) as in Nehemiah.
- 1 Samuel 8:10-18 (thematic): Samuel's warning that a king will take sons, daughters, fields, and produce — a communal description of rulers imposing heavy burdens and exactions comparable to the earlier governors Nehemiah condemns.
- Matthew 20:25-28 (thematic): Jesus contrasts Gentile rulers who 'lord it over' people with servant leadership — echoes the image of officials lording it over the people and Nehemiah's refusal to act that way out of fear of God.
Alternative generated candidates
- The former governors who were before me laid heavy burdens on the people and took from them bread and wine besides forty shekels of silver; moreover, their servants ruled over the people. But I did not act so because of the fear of God.
- Former governors who were before me imposed heavy burdens on the people and took from them bread and wine and also forty shekels of silver; their attendants ruled over the people. But I did not do so because of the fear of God.
Neh.5.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וגם: CONJ
- במלאכת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,const
- החומה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
- החזקתי: VERB,hiph,perf,1,_,sg
- ושדה: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- קנינו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1,pl
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- נערי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- קבוצים: PARTCP,qal,ptc,m,pl,abs
- שם: ADV
- על: PREP
- המלאכה: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Nehemiah 5:15 (verbal): Same narrative context—Nehemiah states he supported the workers and did not exact provisions or profit from the people, reinforcing his refusal to enrich himself during the rebuilding.
- Nehemiah 5:11 (thematic): Immediate thematic parallel: the demand that nobles return fields, vineyards and houses and stop exacting interest—addresses the same issue of land/wealth injustice that Nehemiah refuses to exploit.
- 2 Kings 12:5-16 (thematic): King Joash's organization and oversight of temple repairs (raising and stewarding funds responsibly) parallels the themes of public rebuilding, financial integrity, and administrative care for a communal project.
- Acts 4:32-35 (thematic): The early Christian practice of not claiming private ownership and distributing resources to meet need echoes Nehemiah's refusal to buy land or profit and his provision for the workers—shared concern for communal welfare over private gain.
- Nehemiah 13:5 (allusion): Later action by Nehemiah in purifying the temple and removing Tobiah’s household items shows the same concern for protecting communal/property rights and resisting improper appropriation of public resources.
Alternative generated candidates
- And I carried on the work on this wall; and we did not buy any land—each laborer with me stayed at the work.
- Moreover, in the work on this wall I labored; I did not acquire a field, and all my servants were at the work.
Neh.5.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והיהודים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,def
- והסגנים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,def
- מאה: NUM,f,sg,abs
- וחמשים: CONJ+NUM,card,pl,m
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והבאים: CONJ+PTCP,qal,act,m,pl,def
- אלינו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- מן: PREP
- הגוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- סביבתינו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,1,pl
- על: PREP
- שלחני: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 9:11 (verbal): Mephibosheth is described as continually eating at David’s table—same image of being sustained at a ruler’s table (Heb. 'eat at my table'), a close verbal and social parallel.
- Psalm 23:5 (thematic): The image of a prepared table before the beneficiary evokes the theme of a leader/host providing sustenance and protection to those in his care.
- Ezekiel 34:2-4 (thematic): Ezekiel condemns shepherds who feast while the flock suffers; this contrasts with Nehemiah’s portrayal of leadership and provision versus exploitation by earlier governors.
- Luke 22:26-27 (structural): Jesus redefines leadership as servanthood and shares a meal with his followers; structurally parallels the table as setting for leader–follower relations and exemplary conduct.
Alternative generated candidates
- Also the Jews and the officials were one hundred and fifty men; and those who came to us from the surrounding nations sat at my table.
- The rulers and the Jews were one hundred and fifty men, and those who came to us from the surrounding peoples were at my table.
Neh.5.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואשר: CONJ+PRON,rel
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- נעשה: VERB,qal,impf,1,pl
- ליום: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- שור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- צאן: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- שש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בררות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- וצפרים: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- נעשו: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,pl
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- ובין: CONJ+PREP
- עשרת: NUM,card,ten,cons
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יין: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- להרבה: PREP+ADV
- ועם: CONJ+PREP
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- לחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הפחה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- לא: PART_NEG
- בקשתי: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+1,sg
- כי: CONJ
- כבדה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- העבדה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- על: PREP
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- Nehemiah 5:15 (structural): Direct contrast within the same chapter—former governors exacted food, wine and silver from the people, whereas Nehemiah refused such demands.
- Nehemiah 5:19 (structural): Immediate literary sequel—Nehemiah asks God to remember his restraint and service to the people, tying his actions in v.18 to his prayer.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:9 (thematic): Paul stresses that he and his companions worked night and day and did not burden the Thessalonians—parallel theme of a leader refusing to be a charge on those he serves.
- 1 Corinthians 9:12 (thematic): Paul explains he refrained from exercising his right to be supported to avoid hindering the gospel—similar voluntary forbearance of official entitlements seen in Nehemiah.
- 1 Peter 5:2-3 (thematic): Exhortation to shepherd willingly and not to domineer the flock echoes Nehemiah’s refusal to exploit his office and his concern for the people’s burden.
Alternative generated candidates
- For one day’s provision there was one ox, six choice sheep, and birds prepared for me, and every ten days plenty of wine; yet I did not demand the governor’s allowance, because the burden of the people was heavy.
- For one day’s provision there was prepared for me one ox, six choice sheep, and birds; and every ten days a plentiful supply of wine—yet I did not demand the governor’s food, because the burden on this people was great.
Neh.5.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- זכרה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- לטובה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כל: DET
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשיתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- על: PREP
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- Nehemiah 13:14 (verbal): Nehemiah again prays that God remember him for his good deeds on behalf of the people—same petition and wording in a later reform context.
- Psalm 106:4 (verbal): A direct plea: “Remember me, O LORD, with the favor you bear to your people,” echoing the request for divine remembrance and favor for service to the community.
- Hebrews 6:10 (thematic): Affirms that God does not forget your work and the love shown in serving his people—the theological counterpart to asking God to remember righteous deeds.
- 1 Chronicles 29:16–17 (thematic): David’s reflection on his service and offerings for Israel and his appeal to God’s knowledge and acceptance of his heart parallels Nehemiah’s appeal that God acknowledge his work for the people.
Alternative generated candidates
- Remember me, O my God, for good, for all that I have done for this people.
- Remember me, O my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.
And there arose a great outcry of the people and their wives against their Jewish brethren.
Some said, “We and our sons and daughters are many; let us get grain and eat and live.” And some said, “We are mortgaged—our fields, vineyards, and houses; we are reduced to servitude. Let us get grain because of the famine.” And some said, “We have borrowed money to pay the king’s assessment on our fields and vineyards.” And now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children; yet behold, we are forcing our sons and daughters to be slaves—some of our daughters are given into bondage—and there is no power to redeem them, for our fields, vineyards, and houses have become the possession of others. And I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words.
My heart was hot within me; I contended with the nobles and the rulers. I said to them, “Why do you exact interest from your brothers?” And I set a great assembly against them.
I said to them, “We bought back our Jewish brothers who had been sold to the nations to restore them to us; and will you sell your brethren? Would you hand them over to us?” They kept silent and could find nothing to answer.
Then I said, “It is not good what you are doing. Ought you not to walk in the fear of our God, that the reproach of the surrounding nations not fall upon us?”
Also I, my brothers, and my servants have lent them money and grain; but let us release this burden.
Return to them now their fields, vineyards, olive groves, and houses, and the money, the grain, the wine, and the oil with which you are exacting them.
They replied, “We will restore them; we will not demand it. We will do as you say.” Then I called the priests and made them swear to do this. And I shook out my garment and said, “So may God shake out every man from his house and from his labor who will not perform this thing.” And all the assembly said, “Amen,” and praised the LORD. And the people did as they had promised.
From the day that I was appointed to be governor in the land of Judah—from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes—twelve years—I and my brothers did not eat the governor’s bread.
The former governors who were before me laid heavy burdens on the people and took from them bread and wine and forty shekels of silver; and their servants lorded it over the people. I did not do so because of the fear of God.
Moreover, in the work on this wall I did not acquire any land; I set all the laborers to the work, and I took no profit for myself.
There were one hundred and fifty Jews and officials who sat at my table, and those who came to us from the surrounding nations.
For the one assigned each day prepared for me one ox, six choice sheep, and fowl; and every ten days abundant wine was provided. Yet I did not demand the governor’s food, for the labor was heavy on this people.
Remember me, O my God, for good, for all that I have done for this people.