Nehemiah 5:11 – “Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses, and also the interest you are charging them—one percent of the money, grain, new wine and olive oil.”
Extended Explanation
In Nehemiah 5:11, Nehemiah commands the wealthy nobles and officials to immediately return the lands and property they had taken from their fellow Jews. He also tells them to give back the interest they had been charging. This is a call for restitution, where the wrongs that have been committed are not only acknowledged but actively corrected. Nehemiah is not satisfied with simply stopping the unjust practices—he insists that the damage done must be repaired. This involves giving back what was taken and restoring the dignity of those who were exploited.
The focus here is on justice and making things right. The nobles had taken advantage of the difficult economic situation to gain wealth and property at the expense of others. Nehemiah’s leadership calls for immediate action to restore fairness and relieve the burden on the people who had been oppressed.
Historical Context
This verse comes during the time when Nehemiah was leading the rebuilding of Jerusalem after the Jews returned from exile. While working on the physical restoration of the city, Nehemiah was also confronted with social and economic issues within the Jewish community. Many of the poor had been forced to mortgage their land and homes or sell themselves into slavery to pay debts, while the wealthy were exploiting these hardships by charging interest and taking over their property.
According to Jewish law, charging interest to fellow Israelites was forbidden (Exodus 22:25, Leviticus 25:35-37). The land was also seen as a sacred inheritance given by God to His people, so taking another’s land, especially under such unfair circumstances, violated the community’s covenant relationship with God. Nehemiah is calling the people back to faithfulness by urging the wealthy to stop exploiting their brothers and sisters and return what they had taken.
Theological Implications
Nehemiah 5:11 highlights the biblical principle of justice and restitution. God is deeply concerned with fairness and the right treatment of others. When wrongs are committed, it’s not enough to simply stop the wrongdoing—God calls for restitution, meaning the person who has been wronged should be made whole again. This reflects God’s heart for restoration and reconciliation.
Restitution is a practical expression of repentance. It shows that true repentance goes beyond just feeling sorry—it involves taking concrete steps to repair the damage caused by sin. In this case, Nehemiah calls for the return of fields, vineyards, olive groves, and homes, demonstrating that making things right often involves a financial or material cost to the one who has done wrong.
Literary Analysis
This verse is structured as a direct and urgent command: “Give back to them immediately.” The urgency in Nehemiah’s language reflects the seriousness of the injustice and his determination to see it corrected without delay. The list of specific items to be returned—fields, vineyards, olive groves, and houses—paints a vivid picture of what had been lost by the poor and taken by the rich. These weren’t just small, incidental possessions; they were the means by which people survived and provided for their families.
The mention of “one percent of the money, grain, new wine and olive oil” refers to the interest that had been unfairly charged. Nehemiah is clear that even the interest should be given back, further underscoring the need for complete restitution.
Relevant Biblical Cross-References
- Exodus 22:25 – “If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not treat it like a business deal; charge no interest.”
- Leviticus 25:35-37 – God’s law instructs the Israelites to help their fellow citizens without charging interest or taking advantage of their need.
- Proverbs 14:31 – “Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.”
- Luke 19:8 – Zacchaeus, after meeting Jesus, promises to pay back four times what he had wrongfully taken, showing the biblical principle of restitution.
These cross-references emphasize the importance of fairness in financial dealings and the need to correct wrongs by making restitution.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, Nehemiah 5:11 serves as a powerful reminder that we are called to act justly in our relationships, especially when it comes to financial and material matters. If we have wronged someone, it’s not enough to simply stop the wrong behavior—we are called to make amends by restoring what was taken or damaged.
This verse also challenges us to examine our own dealings with others. Are we treating people fairly, especially those who are in difficult circumstances? Do we act in ways that reflect God’s justice and mercy, or are we more concerned with personal gain? Nehemiah’s call to the nobles to restore what they had taken can also serve as a personal call for us to examine our lives and correct any wrongs we may have committed.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
Nehemiah 5:11 reflects God’s deep love for His people, especially the vulnerable and oppressed. God’s love is not passive—it actively seeks to correct wrongs and restore what has been lost. By calling for the return of land and property, Nehemiah is reflecting God’s heart for restoration. God doesn’t just want to stop injustice; He wants to see healing and wholeness in the lives of those who have been hurt.
This verse also shows that God’s love involves fairness. God cares about justice, and part of His love for us is expressed through His desire for us to live in right relationships with one another. When we wrong someone, God’s love calls us to make it right, just as Nehemiah called the wealthy to do for the poor in their community.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus often spoke about justice, fairness, and caring for the poor and oppressed. In Luke 19:8, we see Zacchaeus, a tax collector who had defrauded people, pledge to repay four times what he had taken after encountering Jesus. This act of restitution mirrors the principle seen in Nehemiah 5:11. Jesus calls His followers to live lives of integrity and to make amends when we have wronged others.
Additionally, Jesus’ ultimate act of restitution was on the cross, where He paid the price for humanity’s sin, restoring the broken relationship between God and people. Just as Nehemiah sought to restore what had been taken unjustly, Jesus restores what was lost through sin, offering us reconciliation and redemption.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Are there areas in your life where you need to make restitution for wrongs you’ve done, whether in financial matters or relationships?
- How can we apply the principle of justice and fairness in our daily interactions, especially with those who are in vulnerable positions?
- What does it mean to make amends for wrongs we have committed, and how can we do this in a way that reflects God’s love and justice?
- How does God’s desire for restoration challenge us to be more mindful of how we treat others, especially when it comes to financial and material matters?
- In what ways can Jesus’ example of restoring what was broken through His sacrifice inspire us to seek reconciliation in our relationships?
Nehemiah 5:11 teaches us that God calls His people to live justly, correct wrongs, and restore what has been broken. It’s a reminder that God’s love and justice go hand in hand, and as followers of Christ, we are called to reflect that same love and justice in how we treat others, especially those in need.