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Green's Literal Translation

Nehemiah 5:7

Then my heart ruled within myself, and I contended with the nobles and the magistrates. And I said to them, You are each man lending at interest, from his brother. And I held a great assembly against them.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Borrowing;   Brother;   Country;   Covetousness;   Creditor;   Interest;   Lending;   Poor;   Repentance;   Reproof;   Rich, the;   Rulers;   Usury;   Thompson Chain Reference - Business Life;   Credit System;   Magistrates;   Nation, the;   Nehemiah;   Nobles;   Rulers;   Usury;   Warnings;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Covetousness;   Creditors;   Reproof;   Usury or Interest;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Restitution;   Servant;   Usury;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Anger;   Malachi;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Leadership;   Money;   Wealth;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Governor;   Jubilee;   Usury;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Jubilee;   Usury;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Banking;   Interest;   Loan;   Malachi;   Merchant;   Nehemiah;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Debt;   Nehemiah;   Sanhedrin;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Usury;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Consult;   Exact;   Governor;   Interest;   Lend;   Malachi;   Rebuke;   Ruler;   Salvation;   Tax;   Usury;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Antislavery Movement and the Jews;   Gerusia;   Synagogue, the Great;  

Parallel Translations

Geneva Bible (1587)
And I thought in my minde, and I rebuked the princes, and the rulers, and saide vnto them, You lay burthens euery one vpon his brethren: and I set a great assemblie against them,
Christian Standard Bible®
After seriously considering the matter, I accused the nobles and officials, saying to them, “Each of you is charging his countrymen interest.” So I called a large assembly against them
Hebrew Names Version
Then I consulted with myself, and contended with the nobles and the rulers, and said to them, You exact usury, everyone of his brother. I held a great assembly against them.
Easy-to-Read Version
I calmed myself down, and then I went to the rich families and the officials. I told them, "You are forcing your own people to pay interest on the money you loan them. You must stop doing that!" Then I called for all the people to meet together
English Standard Version
I took counsel with myself, and I brought charges against the nobles and the officials. I said to them, "You are exacting interest, each from his brother." And I held a great assembly against them
Amplified Bible
I thought it over and then challenged the nobles and the rulers. I said to them, "You are exacting usury (excessive interest) from your own brother (relative)." So I held a great assembly to confront them.
American Standard Version
Then I consulted with myself, and contended with the nobles and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I held a great assembly against them.
Contemporary English Version
So I thought it over and said to the leaders and officials, "How can you charge your own people interest?" Then I called a public meeting and accused the leaders
Complete Jewish Bible
I thought the matter over and then took issue with the nobles and rulers. I charged them, "You are lending against pledges, everyone to his brother"; and I summoned a great assembly to deal with them.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
Then I consulted with myself, and contended with the nobles and the rulers, and said unto them: 'Ye lend upon pledge, every one to his brother.' And I held a great assembly against them.
King James Version (1611)
Then I consulted with my selfe, and I rebuked the Nobles, and the rulers, and said vnto them, You exact vsurie, euery one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them:
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And my heart took counsel within me, and I contended against the nobles, and the princes, and I said to them, Should every man demand of his brother what ye demand? And I appointed against them a great assembly,
English Revised Version
Then I consulted with myself, and contended with the nobles and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I held a great assembly against them.
Berean Standard Bible
and after serious thought I rebuked the nobles and officials, saying, "You are exacting usury from your own brothers!" So I called a large assembly against them
Lexham English Bible
I thought over this in my heart, and then I quarreled with the nobles and the prefects. I said to them, "You yourselves are taking interest from your own brother!" So I called the great assembly against them,
New Century Version
After I thought about it, I accused the important people and the leaders, "You are charging your own brothers too much interest." So I called a large meeting to deal with them.
New English Translation
I considered these things carefully and then registered a complaint with the wealthy and the officials. I said to them, "Each one of you is seizing the collateral from your own countrymen!" Because of them I called for a great public assembly.
New King James Version
After serious thought, I rebuked the nobles and rulers, and said to them, "Each of you is exacting usury from his brother." So I called a great assembly against them.
New Living Translation
After thinking it over, I spoke out against these nobles and officials. I told them, "You are hurting your own relatives by charging interest when they borrow money!" Then I called a public meeting to deal with the problem.
New Life Bible
I thought about it, and spoke sharp words to the rulers and leaders. I said to them, "You are making the people pay back more money than you give them to use!" So I gathered many people together against them.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
So my heart took counsel unto me and I contended with the nobles and with the deputies, and said to them, A loan on interest - every man to his brother, are ye making, - So I appointed over them a great assembly;
Douay-Rheims Bible
And my heart thought with myself: and I rebuked the nobles and magistrates, and said to them: Do you every one exact usury of your brethren? And I gathered together a great assembly against them,
George Lamsa Translation
But I was patient, and I consulted with the elders and with the rulers, and said to them,
Good News Translation
and decided to act. I denounced the leaders and officials of the people and told them, "You are oppressing your own relatives!" I called a public assembly to deal with the problem
New American Standard Bible
So I thought it over and contended with the nobles and the leading people, and said to them, "You are lending at interest, each to his brother!" Therefore, I held a great assembly against them.
King James Version
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.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And I aduised so in my minde, that I rebuked the counsellers and the rulers, and saide vnto them: Euery one of you layeth great burdens vpon his brother. And I brought a great congregation against them,
New Revised Standard
After thinking it over, I brought charges against the nobles and the officials; I said to them, "You are all taking interest from your own people." And I called a great assembly to deal with them,
Darby Translation
And I consulted with myself; and I remonstrated with the nobles and the rulers, and said to them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother! And I set a great assembly against them.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And myn herte thouyte with me, and Y blamede the principal men and magistratis; and Y seide to hem, Axe ye not vsuris, `ech man of youre britheren. And Y gaderide togidire a greet cumpeny ayens hem,
Young's Literal Translation
and my heart reigneth over me, and I strive with the freemen, and with the prefects, and say to them, `Usury one upon another ye are exacting;' and I set against them a great assembly,
World English Bible
Then I consulted with myself, and contended with the nobles and the rulers, and said to them, You exact usury, everyone of his brother. I held a great assembly against them.
Revised Standard Version
I took counsel with myself, and I brought charges against the nobles and the officials. I said to them, "You are exacting interest, each from his brother." And I held a great assembly against them,
Update Bible Version
Then I consulted with myself, and contended with the nobles and the rulers, and said to them, You exact usury, every one of his brother. And I held a great assembly against them.
Webster's Bible Translation
Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said to them, Ye exact interest, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them.
Bible in Basic English
And after turning it over in my mind, I made a protest to the chiefs and the rulers, and said to them, Every one of you is taking interest from his countryman. And I got together a great meeting of protest.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
and I aduysed so in my mynde, yt I rebuked the councelers, and the rulers, and sayde vnto them: Wyl ye requyre vsury one of another? And I broughte a greate congregacion agaynst them,
New American Standard Bible (1995)
I consulted with myself and contended with the nobles and the rulers and said to them, "You are exacting usury, each from his brother!" Therefore, I held a great assembly against them.
Legacy Standard Bible
I consulted within my own heart and contended with the nobles and the officials and said to them, "You are exacting usury, each from his brother!" Therefore, I held a great assembly against them.

Contextual Overview

6 And when I heard their cry, and these words, I was very angry. 7 Then my heart ruled within myself, and I contended with the nobles and the magistrates. And I said to them, You are each man lending at interest, from his brother. And I held a great assembly against them. 8 And I said to them, According to our ability we have redeemed our brothers, the Jews who were sold to the nations. And will you yet sell your brothers? Or shall they be sold to us? Then they were silent, and did not find a word. 9 Also I said, The thing you do is not good. Should you not walk in the fear of God because of the reproach of the nations, our enemies? 10 Likewise, my brothers and my servants are lending them silver and grain. Now let us leave off this interest. 11 Now even today give back to them their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses; also the hundredth part of their silver, and of the grain, the wine, and the oil, that you have taken from them. 12 And they said, We will restore, and will ask nothing from them. So we will do as you say. Then I called the priests and took an oath from them that they would do according to this word. 13 Also I shook my lap, and I said, So may God shake out every man from his house and from his labor, who does not lift up this thing; even may he be shaken out this way and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised Jehovah. And the people did according to this thing.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

I consulted with myself: Heb. my heart consulted in me, Psalms 4:4, Psalms 27:8

I rebuked: Leviticus 19:15, 2 Chronicles 19:6, 2 Chronicles 19:7, Psalms 82:1-4, Proverbs 27:5, 2 Corinthians 5:16, Galatians 2:11, 1 Timothy 5:20, Titus 2:15

Ye exact usury: Exodus 22:25, Leviticus 25:36, Deuteronomy 15:2, Deuteronomy 15:3, Deuteronomy 23:19, Deuteronomy 23:20, Deuteronomy 24:10-13, Psalms 15:1, Psalms 15:5, Ezekiel 22:12, Ezekiel 45:9

I set a great assembly: 2 Chronicles 28:9-13, Matthew 18:17

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 5:10 - leave Nehemiah 6:17 - the nobles Nehemiah 13:17 - I contended Job 31:34 - the contempt Psalms 94:16 - stand up Proverbs 24:25 - them Proverbs 28:4 - but Isaiah 33:15 - despiseth Isaiah 58:3 - exact Matthew 18:28 - and took

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Then I consulted with myself,.... What was to be done, what method to be taken to redress such grievances:

and I rebuked the nobles and the rulers; who were the men that monopolized the corn in this dear season, and sold it at an extravagant price, and had got the lands, vineyards, and houses of the poor mortgaged to them, and to whom they had lent money on usury:

and said unto them, you exact usury everyone of his brother; which was contrary to the express law of God, Exodus 22:25 and which even the Indians h strictly observed, who neither let out money, nor took any upon usury:

and I set a great assembly against them; either of the poor that were oppressed, who brought in their accusations and complaints against them, or a large body of the people, who were not guilty, to hear them, that the delinquents might be put to public shame; or he called a large court of judicature, and set them to examine these allegations, and to do justice.

h Aelian. Var. Hist. l. 4. c. 1.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Ye exact usury - The phrase is unique to Nehemiah, and is best explained by the context, which shows the practice of the rich Jews at the time to have been not so much to lend on usury as to lend on mortgage and pledge.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Nehemiah 5:7. Ye exact usury — This was expressly contrary to the law of God; and was doubly cruel at this time, when they were just returning out of the land of their captivity, and were suffering from the effects of a dearth. Some think that it was about the time of a Sabbatical year, when their land must have lain at rest without cultivation, and during which they were expressly commanded not to exact any debt. Deuteronomy 15:2.

I set a great assembly against them. — Brought all these delinquents before the rulers of the people.


 
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