Nehemiah 5:8 - I said to them, “We, after our ability, have redeemed our brothers the Jews that were sold to the nations; and would you even sell your brothers, and should they be sold to us?” Then they held their peace, and found not a word to say.
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What does "Nehemiah 5:8" mean?
This verse from Nehemiah 5:8 is a powerful rebuke from Nehemiah to the wealthy Jewish nobles and officials who were exploiting their fellow Jews. Let's break it down:
"I said to them, “We, after our ability, have redeemed our brothers the Jews that were sold to the nations...": Nehemiah begins by reminding these nobles that he and his supporters have been working hard to buy back (redeem) Jewish people who had been sold into slavery to foreign nations. This likely happened due to debt, poverty, or conflict. Nehemiah emphasizes they've done this to the best of their ability, implying they have sacrificed for the sake of their people. This act of redemption was considered a mitzvah (a good deed or commandment) and a crucial part of maintaining the Jewish community in their homeland.
"...and would you even sell your brothers, and should they be sold to us?”: Here's the core of the accusation. Nehemiah is pointing out the hypocrisy: these nobles and officials, who are supposed to be leaders and protectors of their people, are instead selling their own Jewish brothers and sisters into slavery (likely through debt bondage). The question "and should they be sold to us?" highlights the absurdity of the situation. If Nehemiah and others are actively buying back enslaved Jews from foreign nations, why are these wealthy Jews creating more slaves within their own community? They are essentially undoing the work Nehemiah is doing.
"Then they held their peace, and found not a word to say.": This is the impact of Nehemiah's words. The nobles and officials are speechless. They have no justification for their actions. They are caught in their wrongdoing and are unable to defend themselves. Their silence is an admission of guilt and a sign of the power of Nehemiah's moral authority.
In essence, the verse highlights:
Hypocrisy: The wealthy Jews were doing the opposite of what was needed to build up the community.
Social injustice: The wealthy were exploiting the poor and vulnerable.
Leadership responsibility: Nehemiah felt a strong responsibility to protect his people from both external and internal threats.
Moral authority: Nehemiah's courage to confront the powerful and wealthy displays his strong leadership.
This passage is a powerful example of social injustice and the importance of leaders advocating for the vulnerable. It also demonstrates the significance of community solidarity and the responsibility of the wealthy to care for the poor.
Nehemiah 5:8 - I said to them, “We, after our ability, have redeemed our brothers the Jews that were sold to the nations; and would you even sell your brothers, and should they be sold to us?” Then they held their peace, and found not a word to say.
What does "Nehemiah 5:8" mean?
This verse from Nehemiah 5:8 is a powerful rebuke from Nehemiah to the wealthy Jewish nobles and officials who were exploiting their fellow Jews. Let's break it down:
"I said to them, “We, after our ability, have redeemed our brothers the Jews that were sold to the nations...": Nehemiah begins by reminding these nobles that he and his supporters have been working hard to buy back (redeem) Jewish people who had been sold into slavery to foreign nations. This likely happened due to debt, poverty, or conflict. Nehemiah emphasizes they've done this to the best of their ability, implying they have sacrificed for the sake of their people. This act of redemption was considered a mitzvah (a good deed or commandment) and a crucial part of maintaining the Jewish community in their homeland.
"...and would you even sell your brothers, and should they be sold to us?”: Here's the core of the accusation. Nehemiah is pointing out the hypocrisy: these nobles and officials, who are supposed to be leaders and protectors of their people, are instead selling their own Jewish brothers and sisters into slavery (likely through debt bondage). The question "and should they be sold to us?" highlights the absurdity of the situation. If Nehemiah and others are actively buying back enslaved Jews from foreign nations, why are these wealthy Jews creating more slaves within their own community? They are essentially undoing the work Nehemiah is doing.
"Then they held their peace, and found not a word to say.": This is the impact of Nehemiah's words. The nobles and officials are speechless. They have no justification for their actions. They are caught in their wrongdoing and are unable to defend themselves. Their silence is an admission of guilt and a sign of the power of Nehemiah's moral authority.
In essence, the verse highlights:
Hypocrisy: The wealthy Jews were doing the opposite of what was needed to build up the community.
Social injustice: The wealthy were exploiting the poor and vulnerable.
Leadership responsibility: Nehemiah felt a strong responsibility to protect his people from both external and internal threats.
Moral authority: Nehemiah's courage to confront the powerful and wealthy displays his strong leadership.
This passage is a powerful example of social injustice and the importance of leaders advocating for the vulnerable. It also demonstrates the significance of community solidarity and the responsibility of the wealthy to care for the poor.