Nehemiah 5:7

“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, (<022225>Exodus 22:25) and which even the Indians f31 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…”

“Ye exact usury - The phrase is unique to Nehemiah, and is best explained by the context, which shows the practice of the rich Jews at the time to have been not so much to lend on usury as to lend on mortgage and pledge. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Exact - Which was against the plain and positive law of God, Deu 23:19-20, especially in this time of publick calamity. I set - I called a publick congregation, both of the rulers and people, the greatest part whereof were free from this guilt, and therefore more impartial judges of the matter, and represented it to them, that the offenders might be convinced, and reformed; if not for fear of God, or love of their brethren, yet at least for the publick shame and the cries of the poor. Ezra, and Nehemiah were both good and useful men; but of how different tempers? Ezra was a man of a mild tender spirit, and when told of the sin of the rulers, rent his clothes and wept: Nehemiah forced them to…”

“I consulted with myself: Heb. my heart consulted in me, Psa 4:4, Psa 27:8 I rebuked: Lev 19:15; Ch2 19:6, Ch2 19:7; Psa 82:1-4; Pro 27:5; Co2 5:16; Gal 2:11; Ti1 5:20; Tit 2:15 Ye exact usury: Exo 22:25; Lev 25:36; Deu 15:2, Deu 15:3, Deu 23:19, Deu 23:20, Deu 24:10-13; Psa 15:1, Psa 15:5; Eze 22:12, Eze 45:9 I set a great assembly: Ch2 28:9-13; Mat 18:17 Nehemiah 5:8”