Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them.

NEHEMIAH 5:11KJV
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Nehemiah 5:11 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 5:11 mean?

Nehemiah 5:11 is a demand from Nehemiah to the wealthy leaders of Jerusalem, telling them to immediately return the lands, vineyards, olive groves, houses, and a portion of the money, grain, wine, and oil they had taken from their fellow Israelites. Nehemiah insists that the people who had been forced to give up these things due to debt and hardship should have them restored right away.

Nehemiah is speaking directly to the nobles and officials who had been taking advantage of poorer members of the community during a time of economic struggle. The verse shows Nehemiah’s concern for justice and fairness, as he calls for the reversal of unfair practices and the restoration of property and resources to those who had lost them. This moment is part of a larger confrontation about social and economic injustice among the returned exiles.

The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 5:11

  • "Restore" (שׁוּב, shuv): This word means to return or bring back. Nehemiah is not just asking for a stop to the unfair treatment, but for a full reversal—giving back what was taken.
  • "Exact" (נָשָׁא, nashah): This word means to demand or take as interest. Nehemiah is addressing the practice of charging interest or taking extra from those in debt, which was forbidden among Israelites.
  • "Hundredth" (מֵאָה, me’ah): This refers to the interest rate, likely one percent per month, showing that the leaders were charging their fellow Jews interest on loans, which was against the spirit of their law.

Why Nehemiah 5:11 matters

  • Nehemiah 5:11 clarifies that Nehemiah was not only concerned with spiritual renewal but also with practical justice and the well-being of the people.
  • The verse highlights the seriousness of economic exploitation and the expectation that God’s people should treat each other fairly, especially in times of hardship.
  • This demand for restoration connects to the broader biblical theme of caring for the vulnerable and correcting wrongs, showing that faithfulness to God includes how people handle money and power.

Where else these words appear

“exact” Hebrew H5383 · used in 12 verses

  • Exodus 22:25 If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.
  • Deuteronomy 24:11 Thou shalt stand abroad, and the man to whom thou dost lend shall bring out the pledge abroad unto thee.
  • Psalms 109:11 Let the extortioner catch all that he hath; and let the strangers spoil his labour.

“oil” Hebrew H3323 · used in 23 verses

  • Numbers 18:12 All the best of the oil, and all the best of the wine, and of the wheat, the firstfruits of them which they shall offer unto the LORD, them have I given thee.
  • 2 Kings 18:32 Until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of corn and wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of oil olive and of honey, that ye may live, and not die: and hearken not unto Hezekiah, when he persuadeth you, saying, The LORD will deliver us.
  • Jeremiah 31:12 Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.

“oliveyards” Hebrew H2132 · used in 36 verses

  • Genesis 8:11 And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth.
  • Judges 9:9 But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?
  • Isaiah 17:6 Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree, two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the outmost fruitful branches thereof, saith the LORD God of Israel.

“wine” Hebrew H8492 · used in 38 verses

  • Genesis 27:28 Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:
  • 2 Chronicles 31:5 And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.
  • Jeremiah 31:12 Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.