Nehemiah 5:10 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 5:10 mean?

Nehemiah 5:10 shows Nehemiah urging his fellow leaders and officials to stop charging interest on loans of money and grain to their own people. Nehemiah admits that he and his associates could demand repayment with interest, but he calls for everyone to stop this practice of usury.

Nehemiah is speaking to the Jewish nobles and officials during a time when many poor Jews were suffering under heavy debts and losing their land and freedom. By including himself and his companions, Nehemiah highlights that even those in authority must act justly and compassionately, setting an example by ending the practice of charging interest to fellow Israelites.

The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 5:10

• "Brethren" (אַחַי, 'achai): This word refers to fellow Jews, emphasizing the close community relationship Nehemiah is appealing to, not just biological brothers.
• "Exact" (נָשָׁא, nashah): This verb means to demand repayment, often with the sense of pressing or extracting something from someone. Nehemiah is acknowledging that he and others have the power to enforce repayment but are choosing not to.
• "Usury" (נֶשֶׁךְ, neshekh): This term specifically means interest, especially on loans. In the context of Israelite law, charging interest to fellow Israelites was forbidden, so Nehemiah is calling for a return to this principle.

Why Nehemiah 5:10 matters

• Nehemiah’s words clarify that the problem was not lending itself, but the charging of interest, which was causing hardship among the poor in the community.
• By including himself and his group, Nehemiah models humility and shared responsibility, showing that leadership means setting the right example.
• This verse connects to the wider passage by highlighting the social and economic reforms Nehemiah was leading, aiming to restore justice and unity among the returned exiles.