Nehemiah 5:1
Nehemiah 5:1 in Multiple Translations
About that time there was a great outcry from the people and their wives against their fellow Jews.
And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews.
Then there arose a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews.
Then there was a great outcry from the people and their wives against their countrymen the Jews.
Around this time some people and their wives started a tremendous argument with the other Jews.
Nowe there was a great crie of the people, and of their wiues against their brethren the Iewes.
And there is a great cry of the people and their wives, concerning their brethren the Jews,
Then there arose a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brothers the Jews.
And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews.
Now there was a great cry of the people, and of their wives against their brethren the Jews.
Later, many of the men and their wives protested loudly about what some of the other Jews were doing.
Berean Amplified Bible — Nehemiah 5:1
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Nehemiah 5:1 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/תְּהִ֨י
צַעֲקַ֥ת
הָ/עָ֛ם
וּ/נְשֵׁי/הֶ֖ם
גְּדוֹלָ֑ה
אֶל
אֲחֵי/הֶ֖ם
הַ/יְּהוּדִֽים
וַ/תְּהִ֨י
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
צַעֲקַ֥ת
tsaʻăqâh
H6818
cry
N-fs
הָ/עָ֛ם
ʻam
H5971
Amaw
Art | N-ms
וּ/נְשֵׁי/הֶ֖ם
ʼishshâh
H802
woman
Conj | N-fp | Suff
גְּדוֹלָ֑ה
gâdôwl
H1419
Great (Sea)
Adj
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
אֲחֵי/הֶ֖ם
ʼâch
H251
brother
N-mp | Suff
הַ/יְּהוּדִֽים
Yᵉhûwdîy
H3064
of Judah
Art | Ngmpa
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Nehemiah 5:1
וַ/תְּהִ֨י
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
צַעֲקַ֥ת
tsaʻăqâh
H6818
"cry"
N-fs
A cry or outcry is what this word represents, often a cry of distress that reaches God's ears, as seen in Exodus where the Israelites cry out against slavery.
Definition: 1) cry, outcry 1a) outcry (against) 1b) cry of distress (especially as heard by God)
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: cry(-ing). See also: Genesis 18:21; Nehemiah 5:1; Psalms 9:13.
הָ/עָ֛ם
ʻam
H5971
"Amaw"
Art | N-ms
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
וּ/נְשֵׁי/הֶ֖ם
ʼishshâh
H802
"woman"
Conj | N-fp | Suff
The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.
Definition: : woman 1) woman, wife, female 1a) woman (opposite of man) 1b) wife (woman married to a man) 1c) female (of animals) 1d) each, every (pronoun)
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. See also: Genesis 2:22; Genesis 34:4; Numbers 5:12.
גְּדוֹלָ֑ה
gâdôwl
H1419
"Great (Sea)"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means something or someone great, whether in size, age, or importance. It appears in descriptions of the Great Sea and the Philistines. The word is used to convey a sense of magnitude or grandeur.
Definition: adj great Also named: pe.lish.ti (פְּלִשְׁתִּי "(Sea of the )Philistines" H6430I)
Usage: Occurs in 499 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, elder(-est), [phrase] exceeding(-ly), [phrase] far, (man of) great (man, matter, thing,-er,-ness), high, long, loud, mighty, more, much, noble, proud thing, [idiom] sore, ([idiom]) very. See also: Genesis 1:16; Joshua 7:26; 1 Kings 20:13.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
אֲחֵי/הֶ֖ם
ʼâch
H251
"brother"
N-mp | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a brother or male sibling, but it can also refer to a close relative, friend, or someone with a similar relationship. It is used to describe the bond between brothers, like the relationship between Cain and Abel in Genesis.
Definition: : male-sibling 1) brother 1a) brother of same parents 1b) half-brother (same father) 1c) relative, kinship, same tribe 1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship) 1e) (fig.) of resemblance
Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'. See also: Genesis 4:2; Genesis 42:13; Numbers 25:6.
הַ/יְּהוּדִֽים
Yᵉhûwdîy
H3064
"of Judah"
Art | Ngmpa
This term refers to people from the tribe of Judah, including Judah himself, who was the son of Israel and Leah. It is used to describe the descendants of Judah, who are also known as Jews.
Definition: People descended from Judah, living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.29.35; son of: Israel (H3478) and Leah (H3812); brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074) and Dinah (H1783); half-brother of: Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); married to Bath-shua (H1323I) and Tamar (H8559); father of: Er (H6147), Onan (H0209), Shelah (H7956), Perez (H6557) and Zerah (H2226I) Group of ye.hu.dah (יְהוּדָה "Judah" H3063) § Jew
Usage: Occurs in 69 OT verses. KJV: Jew. See also: 2 Kings 16:6; Esther 8:17; Jeremiah 32:12.
Study Notes — Nehemiah 5:1
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Nehemiah 5:1 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Nehemiah 5:1
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Nehemiah 5:1
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Nehemiah 5:1
- Trapp's Commentary on Nehemiah 5:1
- Ellicott's Commentary on Nehemiah 5:1
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Nehemiah 5:1
- Cambridge Bible on Nehemiah 5:1
- Whedon's Commentary on Nehemiah 5:1
- Sermons on Nehemiah 5:1
Context — Nehemiah Defends the Oppressed
1About that time there was a great outcry from the people and their wives against their fellow Jews.
2Some were saying, “We and our sons and daughters are numerous. We must get grain in order to eat and stay alive.” 3Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our homes to get grain during the famine.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 5:7 | For the vineyard of the LORD of Hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are the plant of His delight. He looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard a cry of distress. |
| 2 | Exodus 22:25–27 | If you lend money to one of My people among you who is poor, you must not act as a creditor to him; you are not to charge him interest. If you take your neighbor’s cloak as collateral, return it to him by sunset, because his cloak is the only covering he has for his body. What else will he sleep in? And if he cries out to Me, I will hear, for I am compassionate. |
| 3 | 1 Corinthians 6:6–8 | Instead, one brother goes to law against another, and this in front of unbelievers! The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means that you are thoroughly defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, even against your own brothers! |
| 4 | Leviticus 25:35–37 | Now if your countryman becomes destitute and cannot support himself among you, then you are to help him as you would a foreigner or stranger, so that he can continue to live among you. Do not take any interest or profit from him, but fear your God, that your countryman may live among you. You must not lend him your silver at interest or sell him your food for profit. |
| 5 | Deuteronomy 15:7–11 | If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, then you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother. Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him whatever he needs. Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought in your heart: “The seventh year, the year of release, is near,” so that you look upon your poor brother begrudgingly and give him nothing. He will cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin. Give generously to him, and do not let your heart be grieved when you do so. And because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything to which you put your hand. For there will never cease to be poor in the land; that is why I am commanding you to open wide your hand to your brother and to the poor and needy in your land. |
| 6 | Job 31:38–39 | if my land cries out against me and its furrows weep together, if I have devoured its produce without payment or broken the spirit of its tenants, |
| 7 | Luke 18:7 | Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He continue to defer their help? |
| 8 | Job 34:28 | They caused the cry of the poor to come before Him, and He heard the outcry of the afflicted. |
| 9 | James 5:4 | Look, the wages you withheld from the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts. |
| 10 | Exodus 3:7 | The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the affliction of My people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their oppressors, and I am aware of their sufferings. |
Nehemiah 5:1 Summary
This verse shows that the people of Jerusalem were facing a lot of problems, including not having enough food to eat, and they were getting very upset with each other about it. This was causing tension and conflict within the community, much like we see in other parts of the Bible, such as in Acts 6:1-4. We can learn from this that when we are facing hard times, we need to look to God for help and support each other, rather than turning against each other, as seen in Psalm 46:1-3. By doing so, we can work together to find solutions and care for those in need, just as God commands us to do in Galatians 6:2.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the cause of the great outcry from the people and their wives against their fellow Jews?
The outcry was due to the economic hardship and famine they were facing, as seen in Nehemiah 5:2-3, where people were struggling to get grain to eat and were even mortgaging their fields and homes to survive, much like the struggles faced by the Israelites in Exodus 2:23-25.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the book of Nehemiah?
This verse is part of the larger narrative of Nehemiah, where the Israelites are rebuilding Jerusalem and facing various challenges, including opposition from outsiders and internal conflicts, as seen in Nehemiah 4:1-6 and Nehemiah 6:1-4.
What can we learn from the fact that the people and their wives were crying out against their fellow Jews?
This shows that the economic hardship was affecting the relationships within the community, and that the people were looking to their leaders for help, much like the Israelites cried out to God in their distress in Psalm 107:6 and were delivered.
How does this verse reflect the biblical principle of caring for the poor and needy?
This verse highlights the importance of caring for the poor and needy, as seen in Deuteronomy 15:7-8 and Proverbs 19:17, where God commands us to help those in need and promises to bless those who do so.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that economic hardship can affect relationships within a community, and how can we work to prevent this?
- How can we, like Nehemiah, be sensitive to the needs of those around us and work to address them?
- What are some ways that we can apply the biblical principle of caring for the poor and needy in our own lives and communities?
- How can we balance the need to care for our own families with the need to care for those in need around us, as seen in 1 Timothy 5:8?
Gill's Exposition on Nehemiah 5:1
And there was a great cry of the people, and of their wives,.... Those of the poorer sort: against their brethren the Jews; the rich that oppressed them; and this cry or complaint was made to Nehemiah for redress.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Nehemiah 5:1
And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews. There was a great cry of the people ... against their brethren.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Nehemiah 5:1
CHAPTER 5 The people complain of their brethren, by reason of their debts, mortgages, and bondage, . Nehemiah rebuketh the usurers, and causeth them to make a covenant of restitution, . He forbeareth his own allowance, and keepeth hospitality, . The quantity of his preparations, and his prayer, ,19. To wit, the great and rich who had oppressed their brethren.
Trapp's Commentary on Nehemiah 5:1
Nehemiah 5:1 And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews.Ver. 1. And there was a great cry] Such as seditious ones use to set up in their outrageous uproars; or such as is the expression of great grief and anguish of heart. Of the people] The ignobile common people, a most dangerous and heady water, when once it is out. And of their wives] Who being pinched with penury, made piteous outcries. Invalidum omne, natura querulum. Significat clamorem vel querulum, vel imperiosum, iracundum, minacem (Seneca). Against their brethren the Jews] The richer sort, who oppressed them and drew them before the judgment seats, as St James hath it of the Jews of his time; for they were no changelings. Let the Philistines bind Samson, and he can bear it; but do not you lay hands on me, saith he to his countrymen. Scipio had rather Hannibal should eat his heart with salt than Laelius give him a cross word. Had it been mine enemy, saith David, I could have digested it.
So could these poor creatures far better have borne the insolencies of strangers than the oppressions of fellow brethren. Tacitus tells us, that in his time the Jews were very merciful to those of their own nation, and cruel to all others, Misericordia in promptu apud suos, &c. But here their own complain, and this was doubtless a great grief to good Nehemiah.
Ellicott's Commentary on Nehemiah 5:1
(1) Their brethren the Jews.—Nehemiah’s other troubles had come from the enemies without: he begins this account by laying emphasis on the hard treatment of Jews by Jews.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Nehemiah 5:1
CHAPTER V The people complain that they are oppressed and enthralled by their richer brethren, 1-3. Nehemiah calls them to account; upbraids them for their cruelty; and obliges them to swear that they will forgive the debts, restore the mortgaged estates, and free their servants, 4-13. Nehemiah's generosity and liberality, 14-17. The daily provision for his table, 18, 19. NOTES ON CHAP. V
Cambridge Bible on Nehemiah 5:1
1. And there was a great cry, &c.] R.V. Then there arose a great cry, &c. The R.V. rightly shows that the outbreak of the discontentment described in these verses was connected with the rebuilding of the walls. A general stoppage of trade must have resulted from the national undertaking. The presence of the enemy in the neighbourhood prevented free agricultural labour. the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews] By ‘the people and their wives’ are denoted the poorer classes, the great bulk of the nation as distinguished from the nobles and the priests. ‘Their brethren the Jews,’ seem here to denote ‘the nobles and the rulers’ whom Nehemiah rebukes in Nehemiah 5:7. At any rate the cry proceeds from the poor, the multitudes who were driven in their need to borrow, against the few who could afford to lend. The actual expression ‘their brethren the Jews,’ as in Nehemiah 5:8, does not imply any particular section of the people, but is employed to contrast the true fraternal relation of fellow-citizens with the existing selfishness and oppression.
Whedon's Commentary on Nehemiah 5:1
OF ABUSES, Nehemiah 5:1-13. 1. A great cry — The outcry of poverty, oppression, and abuse. Against… brethren — So there were troubles and abuses among themselves, as well as from their enemies.
Sermons on Nehemiah 5:1
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Greenwood Hills Conference 1989-01 Nehemiah 1 by William MacDonald | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of not being idle in the work of the Lord. He highlights the need for accountability in our assemblies and on the foreign fiel |
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Conference 1989-01 ~ Nehemiah 1 by William MacDonald | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of accountability in the service of the Lord. He references chapter five, verses one through three, to highlight the need for |
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Leadership Qualities of Nehemiah by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen emphasizes the leadership qualities of Nehemiah, highlighting his deep concern for the people and the state of Jerusalem, which ignited a burden in his heart. Nehemiah's |
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End-Time Conditions by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the significance of the Book of Nehemiah as a representation of end-time conditions, linking it to the coming of the Lord and the need for God's people |
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(The Word for Today) Isaiah 3:10 - Part 3 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck discusses the contrasting themes of judgment and hope found in the book of Isaiah. He highlights the corruption and oppression of the leaders of Israel |
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The Church Today Asleep & in Bondage #6 by Milton Green | This sermon focuses on the concept of being a new creation in Christ, akin to a second Adam, and being conformed to the image of Jesus. It delves into the idea of bearing fruit in |
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The True Vine by Steve Hulshizer | Steve Hulshizer preaches about the fallen nature of man since Adam's rebellion, leading to a lineage tainted by sin and incapable of producing anything pleasing to God. Despite God |