Nehemiah 5:12-13

12 Then they said, "We ¹will give it back and ²will require nothing from them; we will do exactly as you say." So I called the priests and ³took an oath from them that they would do according to this promise.

13 I ⁴also shook out the front of my garment and said, "Thus may God shake out every man from his house and from his possessions who does not fulfill this promise; even thus may he be shaken out and emptied." And ⁵all the assembly said, "Amen!" And they praised the LORD. Then the people did according to this promise.

Nehemiah 5:12-13 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EZRA 5

In this chapter is a complaint of the poor against the rich for oppression of them, Ne 5:1-5 for which Nehemiah being angry, reproved them, and made them promise, and swear to it, to make restitution, Ne 5:6-13 and set them an example himself, taking nothing of them during his twelve years' government, supporting himself and his at his own expenses, Ne 5:14-19.

Cross References

• 1. 2 Chronicles 28:15
• 2. Nehemiah 10:31
• 3. Ezra 10:5
• 4. Acts 18:6
• 5. Nehemiah 8:6

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "word"
• [b]. Lit "bosom"
• [c]. Lit "word"
• [d]. Lit "word"