SEV Biblia, Chapter 5:7
Entonces lo medité para conmigo, y reprendí a los principales y a los magistrados, y les dije: ¿Tomáis cada uno usura de vuestros hermanos? Y convoqué contra ellos una gran asamblea.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 5:7
Verse 7. Ye exact usury] This was expressly contrary to the law of God; and was doubly cruel at this time, when they were just returning out of the land of their captivity, and were suffering from the effects of a dearth. Some think that it was about the time of a Sabbatical year, when their land must have lain at rest without cultivation, and during which they were expressly commanded not to exact any debt. Deut. xv. 2.
I set a great assembly against them.] Brought all these delinquents before the rulers of the people.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 7. Then I consulted with myself , etc.] What was to be done, what method to be taken to redress such grievances: and I rebuked the nobles and the rulers ; who were the men that monopolized the corn in this dear season, and sold it at an extravagant price, and had got the lands, vineyards, and houses of the poor mortgaged to them, and to whom they had lent money on usury: and said unto them, you exact usury everyone of his brother ; which was contrary to the express law of God, ( Exodus 22:25) and which even the Indians strictly observed, who neither let out money, nor took any upon usury: and I set a great assembly against them ; either of the poor that were oppressed, who brought in their accusations and complaints against them, or a large body of the people, who were not guilty, to hear them, that the delinquents might be put to public shame; or he called a large court of judicature, and set them to examine these allegations, and to do justice.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 6-13 - Nehemiah knew that, if he built Jerusalem's walls ever so high, s thick, or so strong, the city could not be safe while there wer abuses. The right way to reform men's lives, is to convince their consciences. If you walk in the fear of God, you will not be eithe covetous of worldly gain, or cruel toward your brethren. Nothin exposes religion more to reproach, than the worldliness an hard-heartedness of the professors of it. Those that rigorously insis upon their right, with a very ill grace try to persuade others to giv up theirs. In reasoning with selfish people, it is good to contras their conduct with that of others who are liberal; but it is best to point to His example, who though he was rich, yet for our sakes becam poor, that we, through his poverty, might be rich, 2Co 8:9. They di according to promise. Good promises are good things, but goo performances are better.
Original Hebrew
וימלך 4427 לבי 3820 עלי 5921 ואריבה 7378 את 853 החרים 2715 ואת 853 הסגנים 5461 ואמרה 559 להם משׁא 5378 אישׁ 376 באחיו 251 אתם 859 נשׁאים 5383 ואתן 5414 עליהם 5921 קהלה 6952 גדולה׃ 1419
