Nehemiah 5:11Please restore to them, even this day, their fields, their vineyards, their olive groves, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the grain, the new wine, and the oil, that you are charging them."
The setting
Jerusalem, 445 BC. Nehemiah confronts Jewish nobles who are charging interest to fellow Jews rebuilding the city. Modern Israel/Palestine.
The emotion here: righteous anger at injustice against the poor
The original word
hashev (הָשֵׁב) — to restore completely, make whole again
Why it matters
Interest on loans to fellow Jews was forbidden by Torah but commonly practiced after exile
Read with care
What most readers miss in Nehemiah 5:11
Nehemiah demanded immediate restoration 'this day' — no payment plans or delays
Common misconceptionThis is about tithing or church giving, but it's actually about wealthy Jews exploiting poor Jews during national crisis — economic justice, not religious obligation.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Nehemiah 5:11
Bible Genome reading
Nehemiah 5:11 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Nehemiah 5:11 comes from the book of Nehemiah, written during the Post-Exile period. These words are attributed to Nehemiah. The dominant emotion in this verse is deciding, with a comfort power of 20% and a tone that is commanding. It belongs to the dialogue genre of biblical literature. Key themes include economic justice, leadership. Notable phrases: restore to them; fields, vineyards. This verse contains a command.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same deciding
“"You shall have no other gods before me.”
— Deuteronomy 5:7
“"You shall not murder.”
— Exodus 20:13
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
— Matthew 23:12
“For God didn't give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.”
— 2 Timothy 1:7
“But Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none, but what I have, that I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!"”
— Acts 3:6
Your reflection
What does Nehemiah 5:11 mean to you, today?
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