Nehemiah 5:9
What does Nehemiah 5:9 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 5:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 5:9 means
Nehemiah presses the spiritual issue: their practice “is not good.” The standard is the fear of God—reverent obedience that shapes economic life. He also points to Israel’s public testimony: unjust dealings invite reproach from surrounding enemies. The covenant community’s ethics are to display God’s character; when they exploit one another, they misrepresent Him. Thus, the call is not only to stop harming brethren but to live in a way that honors God before a watching world. This verse grounds social reform in theology: fear of God and concern for His name among the nations.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Also 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?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Also 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?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And I said, What you are doing is not good: is it not the more necessary for you to go in the fear of our God, because of the shame which the nations may put on us?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And I say, `Not good <FI>is<Fi> the thing that ye are doing; in the fear of our God do ye not walk, because of the reproach of the nations our enemies?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And I said to them: The thing you do is not good: why walk you not in the fear of our God, that we be not exposed to the reproaches of the Gentiles our enemies?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And I said, The thing that ye do is not good. Ought ye not to walk in the fear of ourGod, so as not to be the reproach of the nations our enemies?
Context
After exposing the contradiction in verse 8, verse 9 articulates the theological basis for change. Next, verses 10–11 will provide specific practical remedies that flow from this principle—end interest-taking and make restitution. The sequence—moral indictment, God-centered rationale, concrete directives—shows Nehemiah’s comprehensive approach. It prepares the way for the nobles’ response in verse 12 and the covenantal enforcement in verse 13.
v.8And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, that were sold unto the nations; and would ye even sell your brethren, and should they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found never a word.
v.9This passage
v.10And I likewise, my brethren and my servants, do lend them money and grain. I pray you, let us leave off this usury.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Peter 2:12
having your behavior seemly among the Gentiles; that, wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
- Proverbs 19:2
Also, that the soul be without knowledge is not good; And he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.
- Acts 9:31
So the church throughout all Judæa and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being edified; and, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, was multiplied.
- Romans 2:24
For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you, even as it is written.
- Proverbs 17:26
Also to punish the righteous is not good, Norto smite the noble fortheiruprightness.
- Proverbs 18:5
To respect the person of the wicked is not good, Norto turn aside the righteous in judgment.
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