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Nehemiah 5:13

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Nehemiah 5:13 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Also I shook out my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labor, that performeth not this promise; even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the assembly said, Amen, and praised Jehovah. And the people did according to this promise.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Also I shook out my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labor, that performeth not this promise; even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the assembly said, Amen, and praised Jehovah. And the people did according to this promise.
Nehemiah 5:13 — American Standard Version

Context — Nehemiah 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10And I likewise, my brethren and my servants, do lend them money and grain. I pray you, let us leave off this usury.
11Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their fields, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the grain, the new wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them.
12Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do, even as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they would do according to this promise.
13Also I shook out my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labor, that performeth not this promise; even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the assembly said, Amen, and praised Jehovah. And the people did according to this promise.
14Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, [that is], twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor.
15But the former governors that were before me were chargeable unto the people, and took of them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.
16Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered thither unto the work.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Also I shook my lap, etc.] The fore skirts of his garment, shaking the dust out of them, as a symbol of what follows; a like rite was used in the case of peace and war, the choice of either, by the Romans, as proposed by their ambassadors to the Carthaginians, as having either in their bosom to shake out f34: and said, so God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour; what he has got by his labour: that performeth not his promise; confirmed by an oath: even thus be he shaken out, and emptied; of all that he has in the world, and out of the world too, as Jarchi adds: and all the congregation said, Amen; so let it be, even those that had taken pledges and usury, as well as…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“I shook my lap - Compare the marginal references. By “lap” is meant a fold in the bosom of the dress, capable of serving as a pocket. Compare Isaiah 49:22 margin. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“My lap - The extreme parts of my garment, which I first folded together, and then shook it and scattered it asunder. This was a form of swearing then in use. Nehemiah 5:14”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I shook my lap: So "when the Roman ambassadors entered the senate of Carthage, they had their toga gathered up in their bosom, and said, We carry here peace and war; you may have which you will. The senate answered, You may give which you please. They then shook their toga, and said, We bring you war." - Livy. Mat 10:14; Act 13:51, Act 18:6 So God: Sa1 15:28; Kg1 11:29-31; Zac 5:3, Zac 5:4 emptied: Heb. empty, or void Amen: Num 5:22; Deu 27:14-26 praised: Ch1 16:36 the people: Kg2 23:3; Psa 50:14, Psa 76:11, Psa 119:106; Ecc 5:5 Nehemiah 5:14”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification