Nehemiah 5:10
What does Nehemiah 5:10 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 5:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 5:10 means
Nehemiah includes himself among those who have lent money and grain, showing transparency and humility. Yet he draws a clear line: lending to relieve need is one thing; profiting through interest from suffering brothers is another. He urges, “let us leave off this usury,” calling for a communal halt to exploitative terms. By saying “my brethren and my servants,” he signals that this reform must touch every level of influence associated with him. The verse combines example, confession, and exhortation—an effective pattern for leading change without hypocrisy.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And I likewise, my brethren and my servants, do lend them money and grain. I pray you, let us leave off this usury.
KJV
King James Version · 1611I likewise, and my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money and corn: I pray you, let us leave off this usury.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And I likewise, my brethren and my servants, do lend them money and grain. I pray you, let us leave off this usury.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Even I and my servants have been taking interest for the money and the grain we have let them have. So now, let us give up this thing.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And also, I, my brethren, and my servants, are exacting of them silver and corn; let us leave off, I pray you, this usury.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Both I and my brethren, and my servants, have lent money and corn to many: let us all agree not to call for it again; let us forgive the debt that is owing to us.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890I also, my brethren and my servants, we might exact usury of them, money and corn. I pray you, let us leave off this usury.
Context
With the moral case made in verse 9, verse 10 begins laying out the remedy. Nehemiah first addresses the practice to be stopped—usury—and does so inclusively, not as an outsider but as part of the community. Verse 11 will then spell out positive restitution: return properties and the exactions taken. Together, these verses move the assembly from principle to action, paving the way for the nobles’ pledge in verse 12 and the solemn enactment in verse 13.
v.9Also I said, The thing that ye do is not good: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God, because of the reproach of the nations our enemies?
v.10This passage
v.11Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their fields, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the grain, the new wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Micah 2:1
Woe to them that devise iniquity and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand.
- Luke 3:13
And he said unto them, Extort no more than that which is appointed you.
- 2 Corinthians 6:1
And working together with him we entreat also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain
- Exodus 22:25
If thou lend money to any of my people with thee that is poor, thou shalt not be to him as a creditor; neither shall ye lay upon him interest.
- Ezekiel 18:8
he that hath not given forth upon interest, neither hath taken any increase, that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true justice between man and man,
- Psalms 15:5
He that putteth not out his money to interest, Nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.
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