📖 Nehemiah — Chapter 5 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Nehemiah 5:1 And there was Ra great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews.
Nehemiah 5:2 For there were that said, RWe, our sons, and our daughters, are many: therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat, and live.
Nehemiah 5:3 Some also there were that said, We have Rmortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth.
Nehemiah 5:4 There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king’s tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards.
Nehemiah 5:5 Yet now Rour 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 unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards.
Nehemiah 5:6 RAnd I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.
Nehemiah 5:7 Then RTI consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them.
Nehemiah 5:8 And I said unto them, RWe after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer.
Nehemiah 5:9 Also I said, RIt 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?
Nehemiah 5:10 RI likewise, and my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money and corn: I pray you, let us leave off this usury.
Nehemiah 5:11 RRestore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them.
Nehemiah 5:12 Then said they, RWe will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise.
Nehemiah 5:13 Also RI shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and Temptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise.
Nehemiah 5:14 Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, Rfrom the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor.
Nehemiah 5:15 But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, Reven their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.
Nehemiah 5:16 Yea, also RI continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered thither unto the work.
Nehemiah 5:17 Moreover there were Rat my table an hundred and fifty of the Jews and rulers, beside those that came unto us from among the heathen that are about us.
Nehemiah 5:18 RNow that which was prepared for me daily was one ox and six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this required not I the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people.
Nehemiah 5:19 RThink upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Nehemiah 5:1–5 — Distress within the community
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Families cry out about hunger, debt, mortgaged property, and children entering bondage. Their suffering comes from within the community, not only from its outside enemies. The chapter turns attention from walls to people. A building project cannot be considered healthy while those involved are being exploited or pushed into desperation.
Key Truth: Attend to suffering within the community you are serving.
Check What You Remember
1. Who joined the people's cry? (Nehemiah 5:1)
Find it in Nehemiah 5:1 (KJV).
2. Name one property they had mortgaged. (Nehemiah 5:3)
Find it in Nehemiah 5:3 (KJV).
3. What had happened to some children? (Nehemiah 5:5)
Find it in Nehemiah 5:5 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Nehemiah 5:6–13 — Restoration promised and carried out
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Nehemiah considers the report and confronts the nobles over their charges against brethren. He calls for the return of property and an end to the exactions. They promise restoration, and the people carry it out. Repentance is measured by changed treatment and restitution, not merely by silence when confronted.
Key Truth: Correct wrongdoing through practical restoration.
Check What You Remember
1. Whom did Nehemiah rebuke? (Nehemiah 5:7)
Find it in Nehemiah 5:7 (KJV).
2. What did he urge them to restore? (Nehemiah 5:11)
Find it in Nehemiah 5:11 (KJV).
3. Did the people do according to the promise? (Nehemiah 5:13)
Find it in Nehemiah 5:13 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Nehemiah 5:14–19 — Leadership that refuses extra burdens
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Nehemiah recalls refusing the governor's allowance because the people's burden was heavy. He remains involved in the wall work and provides hospitality. He attributes his restraint to the fear of God. The account presents leadership concerned with its effect on others rather than simply taking every privilege available.
Key Truth: Use leadership privileges with concern for others' burdens.
Check What You Remember
1. How many years are named for his governorship here? (Nehemiah 5:14)
Find it in Nehemiah 5:14 (KJV).
2. Why did he act differently from former governors? (Nehemiah 5:15)
Find it in Nehemiah 5:15 (KJV).
3. How many Jews and rulers ate at his table? (Nehemiah 5:17)
Find it in Nehemiah 5:17 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Micah 6:8 — Micah joins justice, mercy, and humble walking with God.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
What could you restore or give up to lessen an unfair burden on someone else?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. How do shortage and royal tribute contribute to distress?
2. What contradiction does Nehemiah expose about bondage?
3. How is the promise of restoration made accountable?
4. Why does Nehemiah forgo the governor’s provision?
5. How does his conduct connect leadership with the shared work?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
Loading your notes…
Chapter Navigation