Nehemiah 5:12 - Then they said, “We will restore them, and will require nothing of them. We will do so, even as you say.” Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they would do according to this promise.
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What does "Nehemiah 5:12" mean?
This verse from Nehemiah 5:12 describes a situation where the wealthy Israelites were oppressing their poorer brethren by charging them high interest and foreclosing on their lands and even enslaving their children due to debt. Nehemiah, upon hearing this, was outraged and confronted the nobles and officials. The verse explains the nobles' response to Nehemiah's rebuke:
"Then they said, “We will restore them, and will require nothing of them." This means the nobles and officials agreed to give back the lands, vineyards, olive groves, and houses they had taken as collateral from the poor. They also agreed to forgive the debts (the "interest") they were owed.
"We will do so, even as you say.” This is an affirmation of their commitment to Nehemiah's demands. They're saying they will follow his instructions completely.
"Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they would do according to this promise." Nehemiah ensured the nobles and officials would follow through with their promises by making them swear an oath before the priests. An oath in that time was a sacred and binding commitment made in God's name. By having the priests present and involved, Nehemiah emphasized the seriousness of the promise and the consequences of breaking it. This oath served as a public and religious guarantee that they would indeed restore what they had taken and forgive the debts.
In summary, this verse shows the nobles repenting of their oppressive actions and agreeing to make restitution. Nehemiah, being a shrewd leader, solidified this agreement by having them take a solemn oath, ensuring their commitment to justice and fairness. This action aimed to rectify the economic imbalance and restore harmony within the community.
Nehemiah 5:12 - Then they said, “We will restore them, and will require nothing of them. We will do so, even as you say.” Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they would do according to this promise.
What does "Nehemiah 5:12" mean?
This verse from Nehemiah 5:12 describes a situation where the wealthy Israelites were oppressing their poorer brethren by charging them high interest and foreclosing on their lands and even enslaving their children due to debt. Nehemiah, upon hearing this, was outraged and confronted the nobles and officials. The verse explains the nobles' response to Nehemiah's rebuke:
"Then they said, “We will restore them, and will require nothing of them." This means the nobles and officials agreed to give back the lands, vineyards, olive groves, and houses they had taken as collateral from the poor. They also agreed to forgive the debts (the "interest") they were owed.
"We will do so, even as you say.” This is an affirmation of their commitment to Nehemiah's demands. They're saying they will follow his instructions completely.
"Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they would do according to this promise." Nehemiah ensured the nobles and officials would follow through with their promises by making them swear an oath before the priests. An oath in that time was a sacred and binding commitment made in God's name. By having the priests present and involved, Nehemiah emphasized the seriousness of the promise and the consequences of breaking it. This oath served as a public and religious guarantee that they would indeed restore what they had taken and forgive the debts.
In summary, this verse shows the nobles repenting of their oppressive actions and agreeing to make restitution. Nehemiah, being a shrewd leader, solidified this agreement by having them take a solemn oath, ensuring their commitment to justice and fairness. This action aimed to rectify the economic imbalance and restore harmony within the community.