Nehemiah 5:6
What does Nehemiah 5:6 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 5:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 5:6 means
Nehemiah’s anger is the measured indignation of a godly leader who hears credible reports of oppression. He is not indifferent or detached; the suffering of the people and the betrayal by nobles move him deeply. His anger is not the end but the beginning of action. The verse signals that Nehemiah will neither excuse injustice for the sake of progress nor allow the wall project to overshadow moral duty. True leadership weighs the cry of the afflicted and resolves to act righteously, even if that means confronting influential figures and risking turmoil within the ranks.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And on hearing their outcry and what they said I was very angry.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And it is very displeasing to me when I have heard their cry and these words,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And I was exceedingly angry when I heard their cry according to these words.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.
Context
After the crescendo of complaints in verses 2–5, verse 6 marks the turning point. Nehemiah is stirred to respond, but the narrative will emphasize that he proceeds wisely. In verse 7 he will deliberate and then confront the nobles and rulers, bringing the matter to a public assembly. That flow shows that his anger is principled, not rash. The coming verses (7–13) record a careful process: rebuke, appeal to God’s fear, practical demands, promises, and covenantal enforcement.
v.5Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought into bondage already: neither is it in our power to help it; for other men have our fields and our vineyards.
v.6This passage
v.7Then I consulted with myself, and contended with the nobles and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I held a great assembly against them.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Mark 3:5
And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved at the hardening of their heart, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he stretched it forth; and his hand was restored.
- Nehemiah 13:8
And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber.
- Nehemiah 13:25
And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters for your sons, or for yourselves.
- Exodus 11:8
And all these thy servants shall come down unto me, and bow down themselves unto me, saying, Get thee out, and all the people that follow thee: and after that I will go out. And he went out from Pharaoh in hot anger.
- Ephesians 4:26
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
- Numbers 16:15
And Moses was very wroth, and said unto Jehovah, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.
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