In this chapter is a complaint of the poor against the rich for oppression of them, Neh. 5:1–5 for which Nehemiah being angry, reproved them, and made them promise, and swear to it, to make restitution, Neh.

And there was a great cry of the people, and of their wives, &c.] Those of the poorer sort: against their brethren the Jews; the rich that oppressed them; and this cry or complaint was made to Nehemiah for redress.

For there were that said, we, our sons, and our daughters, are many Not that they complained of the number of their children, for a numerous offspring was always reckoned a blessing with the Jews; but this they observed to show that their families, being large, required a considerable quantity of…

Some also there were that said, we have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses Made them over to others, put them into their hands as pledges for money received of them: that we may buy corn; for the support of their families: because of the dearth; or famine; which might be occasioned by their…

There were also that said Who though they were able to buy corn for their families without mortgaging their estates: yet, say they, we have borrowed money for the king’s tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards; for though the priests, Levites, and Nethinims, were exempted from it, yet not…

Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren We are of the same nature, nation, stock, and religion: our children as their children; are circumcised as they, and have a right to the same privileges in church and state: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and daughters to be servants; shall…

And I was very angry when I heard their cry, and these words. ] Their complaint expressed in this manner; it not only raised pity and compassion in his breast towards these poor distressed people, but indignation at the rich that oppressed them.

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…

And I said unto them The nobles, and rulers, and other rich persons that exacted usury of the poor: we after our ability; speaking of himself in the plural number, which now obtained in the court of Persia; or of Zerubbabel, Ezra, and others, who, according as their worldly circumstances, having…

Also I said, it is not good that ye do The meaning is, that it was very bad; it is a “meiosis”, by which more is intended than is expressed: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God; in reverence of him and his law, and according to that: because of the reproach of the Heathen our enemies? whose…

I likewise, and my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money and corn For our maintenance, in consideration of the services done by us, which would appear but reasonable, but this we decline for the sake of easing our poor brethren: I pray you let us leave off this usury; and not exact…

Restore, I pray you, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses Which they had made over to them for corn they had had, or money they borrowed of them; it is entreated that an immediate restitution be made, and the rather, if what Aben Ezra observes is true,…

Then said they, we will restore them The lands, vineyards, oliveyards, and houses: and will require nothing of them; not the hundredth part of the fruits of the earth by way of salary: so will we do as thou sayest; they approved of his proposal, and readily agreed to it: then I called the priests,…

Also I shook my lap The fore skirts of his garment, shaking the dust out of them, as a symbol of what follows; a like rite was used in the case of peace and war, the choice of either, by the Romans, as proposed by their ambassadors to the Carthaginians, as having either in their bosom to shake out…

Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah That is, by the king of Persia, which was not done when he was first sent into Judea; but very probably when he had finished the wall in fifty two days, he returned to Persia, and gave the king an account of his…

But the former governors, that had been before me, were chargeable to the people Between him and Zerubbabel, for Ezra was no governor; according to the Jewish chronology [[11]], when Ezra came to Jerusalem, Zerubbabel returned to Babylon, and there died, and his son Methullam was in his stead, and…

Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall Of building the wall of Jerusalem; here he gave his constant attendance to direct and encourage the workmen, and see that they kept to their work, and did it well: neither bought we any land; neither he nor the principal men with him, though they could…

Moreover, there were at my table an hundred and fifty of the Jews and rulers Every day at his own cost, which must be considerable to provide for such a number, and of such rank: besides those that came unto us from among the Heathen that are about us; who were proselytes, and came thither to…

Now that which was prepared for me daily was one ox and six choice sheep Or fat ones; of beef and mutton a considerable quantity, abundantly sufficient for his guests and servants, and shows what a good table he kept: also fowls were prepared for me; what number is not said: and once in ten days…

Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people. ] He expected not any recompence from the people, but from the Lord; and from him not in a way of merit, but of grace and good will, who forgets not what is done for his name’s sake, .