MPV Commentary

The Usurers Rebuked.

When Nehemiah heard about the injustices and cried out against them, he was filled with righteous anger. He summoned a public gathering to address the situation, denouncing their actions in strong but fair terms. In contrast, he reminded them of his own efforts to redeem Jewish exiles who had lost their freedom due to debt or other circumstances. He urged the wealthy creditors not only to abandon their usurious practices but also to restore the fields and vineyards of the poor, so that a remedy could be found for this evil that was causing chaos in the community.

Nehemiah's words were effective, and the conscience of the oppressors was touched by his powerful appeal. With feelings of shame, remorse, and fear, they agreed to comply with Nehemiah's recommendation. To seal their commitment, they took an oath before the priests, promising to fulfill their pledge. Nehemiah also invoked a curse on anyone who would break this promise, symbolically shaking out his garment as he did so.

The people kept their promise, as recorded by the historian. This episode demonstrates the opulence and generosity of Nehemiah, who had declined to accept the customary emoluments of his office but still maintained a lavish lifestyle for twelve years using his own resources.

Nehemiah's predecessors as governor had accepted the standard benefits of their position, including food, wine, and a daily stipend of forty shekels of silver. This amount would have been equivalent to a significant annual salary in modern terms.

At Nehemiah's table, there were always 150 Jewish guests, indicating the scale of his hospitality and generosity. In ancient Eastern cultures, the cost of maintaining a grand establishment was often measured by the quantity of provisions consumed rather than the amount of money spent.