New American Standard Bible 2020
Nehemiah 5:8
8And I said to them, “We, according to our ability, 1have 2redeemed our Jewish brothers who were sold to the nations; now would you even sell your brothers that they may be sold to us?” Then they were silent and could not find a word to say.
Nehemiah 5:8 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)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.
- New International Version (NIV)and said: “As far as possible, we have bought back our fellow Jews who were sold to the Gentiles. Now you are selling your own people, only for them to be sold back to us!” They kept quiet, because they could find nothing to say.
- English Standard Version (ESV)and said to them, "We, as far as we are able, have bought back our Jewish brothers who have been sold to the nations, but you even sell your brothers that they may be sold to us!" They were silent and could not find a word to say.
- New King James Version (NKJV)And I said to them, “According to our ability we have redeemed our Jewish brethren who were sold to the nations. Now indeed, will you even sell your brethren? Or should they be sold to us?” Then they were silenced and found nothing to say.
Context of Nehemiah 5:8
6Then I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words. 7So 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. And I said to them, “We, according to our ability, have redeemed our Jewish brothers who were sold to the nations; now would you even sell your brothers that they may be sold to us?” Then they were silent and could not find a word to say. 9So I said, “The thing which you are doing is not good; should you not walk in the fear of our God because of the taunting of the nations, our enemies? 10And likewise I, my brothers, and my servants are lending them money and grain. Please, let’s do without this interest.
Read all of Nehemiah 5Nehemiah 5:8 word by word
וָאֹמְרָ֣ה לָהֶ֗ם אֲנַ֣חְנוּ קָ֠נִינוּ אֶת־אַחֵ֨ינוּ הַיְּהוּדִ֜ים הַנִּמְכָּרִ֤ים לַגּוֹיִם֙ כְּדֵ֣י בָ֔נוּ וְגַם־אַתֶּ֛ם תִּמְכְּר֥וּ אֶת־אֲחֵיכֶ֖ם וְנִמְכְּרוּ־לָ֑נוּ וַֽיַּחֲרִ֔ישׁוּ וְלֹ֥א מָצְא֖וּ דָּבָֽר׃ סRead the interlinear
- And I saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
- to them, “We, according to our abilityדַּיday · sufficiencyH1767
- redeemedקָנָהqânâh · to buyH7069
- our Jewishיְהוּדִיyehûdîy · JewH3064
- brothersאָח'âch · brother: compatriotH251
- who were soldמָכַרmâkar · to sellH4376
- to the nationsגּוֹיgôy gôy · nationH1471
- now would you evenגַּםgam · alsoH1571
- to us?” Then they wereחָרֵשׁchârash · be quietH2790
- silentחָרֵשׁchârash · be quietH2790
- and could not findמָצָאmâtsâ' · to findH4672
- a wordדָּבָרdâbâr · wordH1697
Cross-references for Nehemiah 5:8
- Matthew 25:15To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey.
- 2 Corinthians 8:12For if the willingness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.
- Galatians 6:10So then, while we have opportunity, let’s do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
- Leviticus 25:47‘Now if the means of a stranger or of a foreign resident with you becomes sufficient, and a countryman of yours becomes poor in relation to him and sells himself to a stranger who is residing with you, or to the descendants of a stranger’s family,
- Exodus 21:16“Now one who kidnaps someone, whether he sells him or he is found in his possession, shall certainly be put to death.
- Deuteronomy 24:7“If someone is caught kidnapping any of his countrymen of the sons of Israel, and he treats him as merchandise and sells him, then that thief shall die; so you shall eliminate the evil from among you.
- Romans 14:15For if because of food your brother or sister is hurt, you are no longer walking in accordance with love. Do not destroy with your choice of food that person for whom Christ died.
- 1 Corinthians 8:11For through your knowledge the one who is weak is ruined, the brother or sister for whose sake Christ died.
- Job 29:10The voices of the prominent people were hushed, And their tongues stuck to their palates.
- Job 32:15“They are dismayed, they no longer answer; Words have failed them.
- Matthew 22:12and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ And the man was speechless.
- Romans 3:19Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God;
Commentaries on Nehemiah 5:8
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 8Nehemiah contrasts his own example with that of the rich Jews. He had spent money in redeeming some countrymen in servitude among the pagan; they were causing others to be sold into slavery among the Jews.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 6-13Verses 6-13 Nehemiah knew that, if he built Jerusalem's walls ever so high, so thick, or so strong, the city could not be safe while there were abuses. The right way to reform men's lives, is to convince their consciences. If you walk in the fear of God, you will not be either covetous of worldly gain, or cruel toward your brethren. Nothing exposes religion more to reproach, than the worldliness and hard-heartedness of the professors of it. Those that…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-13Severe financial problems almost stopped the wall's completion (Nehemiah 5:1–5), but Nehemiah found a solution (5:6–13).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 6-196-12. I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words--When such disorders came to the knowledge of the governor, his honest indignation was roused against the perpetrators of the evil. Having summoned a public assembly, he denounced their conduct in terms of just severity. He contrasted it with his own in redeeming with his money some of the Jewish exiles who, through debt or otherwise, had lost their personal liberty in Babylon. He urged the…Read the comment
Topics related to Nehemiah 5:8
In the dictionaries
Notes
Commentaries on Nehemiah 5
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
New American Standard Bible 2020 — © 1960–2020 The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
Commentaries