Nehemiah 5:11-12
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What's easily missed here is the dual nature of Nehemiah's demand: not only are the oppressors to return property immediately, but they are also to cease exacting a "hundredth part" of goods. This "hundredth part," likely 1% per month, represented oppressive interest rates, meaning Nehemiah calls for both restitution of past wrongs and a halt to future exploitation.
Return to them this very day their fields, their vineyards, their olive orchards, and their houses, and the percentage of money, grain, wine, and oil that you have been exacting from them.” Then they said, “We will restore these and require nothing from them. We will do as you say.” And I called the priests and made them swear to do as they had promised.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Nehemiah confronts the wealthy Jewish leaders about their oppressive practices, where they were foreclosing on homes and lands due to exorbitant loans and taxes levied on their fellow Israelites during a time of hardship. He demands they immediately return these properties and stop exacting what seems to be a hefty monthly interest, which likely amounted to 12% annually, on money and goods. This plea is a call for both restitution of past wrongs and a cessation of future exploitation.
Nehemiah doesn't mince words. He demands an instant turnaround for grievous wrongs. What does 'this very day' tell us about his urgency?
Nehemiah confronts the wealthy elite who have been exploiting their own people.
The Twofold Demand
Nehemiah presents a clear, two-part command:
The Power of 'This Very Day'
The phrase 'this very day' (Hebrew: 'eth-mole) emphasizes immediacy. It conveys a sense of 'right now' or 'without delay.' Nehemiah understood that justice delayed is justice denied. The suffering of the people demanded an immediate halt to their exploitation and a swift return of what was unjustly taken.
Ask a follow-up
What exactly was this 'hundredth part' Nehemiah demands be relinquished? It reveals a deeply unfair economic practice that crushed the poor.
The phrase 'the hundredth part' (Hebrew: me'ath), when referring to money, grain, wine, and oil, points to a specific and damaging form of usury.
A Monthly Burden
Scholars widely agree that this 'hundredth part' likely represented a monthly interest rate of one percent. While seemingly small, this translates to:
Nehemiah's demand to stop exacting this 'hundredth part' was a call to cease this oppressive economic cycle and allow the people to regain their stability.
Understand the original words
kohen · Hebrew Noun
The priestly class in Israel, set apart by God to minister in the tabernacle or temple, offer sacrifices, and teach the law to the people. They serve as mediators between God and the congregation.
shaba · Hebrew Verb
To take an oath or swear by God, calling upon Him as witness to the truth or validity of a promise, covenant, or statement. It signifies a solemn commitment that carries divine judgment if broken.
This verse highlights a critical moment of social injustice in post-exilic Jerusalem. The pressure of rebuilding and potential threats likely led some within the community to exploit others, making the call for immediate restoration of property and remission of usurious interest (likely 1% per month) a vital act of communal and spiritual healing.
c. 538 BC
First Return from Exile
Following Cyrus the Great's decree, a significant portion of the Jewish exiles return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple.
c. 458 BC
Second Return from Exile
Ezra leads another wave of Jewish returnees, focusing on religious reform and the restoration of Mosaic Law observance.
c. 444 BC
Nehemiah's Arrival in Jerusalem
Appointed governor, Nehemiah arrives in Jerusalem with royal permission and resources to rebuild the city walls.
c. 444 BC— this verse
Economic Crisis and Exploitation
While Nehemiah works on the walls, many poor Judeans are suffering severe economic hardship, forced to mortgage their lands and houses due to famine and heavy taxation. Some wealthy Judeans are exploiting this situation through usury.
c. 444 BC
Nehemiah Confronts the Nobles
Upon hearing the people's outcry, Nehemiah confronts the wealthy leaders and demands immediate restitution of property and remission of exorbitant interest.
This passage lays out the foundational principle of caring for the poor within Israel, commanding them not to take interest and to treat their struggling neighbors with dignity, echoing Nehemiah's demand for justice.
Deuteronomy 15:7This verse addresses the very real possibility of poverty arising among the people and warns against hardening one's heart, which directly relates to the oppressive lending practices Nehemiah is confronting.
Exodus 22:25This law explicitly forbids charging interest to fellow Israelites, making the actions of the wealthy rulers in Nehemiah's time a clear violation of God's established covenant law.
Luke 6:34-35Jesus expands on the concept of selfless love and generosity, instructing his followers not to lend with the expectation of return, a principle that stands in stark contrast to the usurious practices Nehemiah condemns.
2 Corinthians 8:9This verse highlights Christ's ultimate act of self-giving, becoming poor so that we might be rich. It provides a powerful model for the wealthy rulers, urging them toward a sacrificial generosity that mirrors God's own heart.
clarkeNehemiah 5:11: "Restore, 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."
Also the hundredth part of the money - Houbigant contends, 1. That the word מאת meath, which we and the Vulgate translate one hundredth part, never means so anywhere; and 2. That it would have answered no end to have remitted to people so distressed merely the one hund…
ellicottNehemiah 5:11: "Restore, 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."
(11) Also the hundredth part of the money. —The monthly payment of one per cent. per month, twelve per cent. in the year, they were required to give up for the future.
What's easily missed here is the dual nature of Nehemiah's demand: not only are the oppressors to return property immediately, but they are also to cease exacting a "hundredth part" of goods. This "hundredth part," likely 1% per month, represented oppressive interest rates, meaning Nehemiah calls for both restitution of past wrongs and a halt to future exploitation.
Nehemiah confronts the wealthy Jewish leaders about their oppressive practices, where they were foreclosing on homes and lands due to exorbitant loans and taxes levied on their fellow Israelites during a time of hardship. He demands they immediately return these properties and stop exacting what seems to be a hefty monthly interest, which likely amounted to 12% annually, on money and goods. This plea is a call for both restitution of past wrongs and a cessation of future exploitation.
Nehemiah confronts the wealthy Jewish leaders about their oppressive practices, where they were foreclosing on homes and lands due to exorbitant loans and taxes levied on their fellow Israelites during a time of hardship. He demands they immediately return these properties and stop exacting what seems to be a hefty monthly interest, which likely amounted to 12% annually, on money and goods. This plea is a call for both restitution of past wrongs and a cessation of future exploitation.
"Return to them this very day their fields, their vineyards, their olive orchards, and their houses, and the percentage of money, grain, wine, and oil that you have been exacting from them.” Then they said, “We will restore these and requir…" — What's easily missed here is the dual nature of Nehemiah's demand: not only are the oppressors to return property immediately, but they are also to cease exacting a "hundredth part" of goods. This "h…
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Last reviewed October 2026
