Nehemiah 5:10

Arabic Simplified (الكِتاب المُقَدَّس: التَّرْجَمَةُ العَرَبِيَّةُ المُبَسَّطَةُ)

وَأنَا وَرِجَالِي، أيُّهَا الإخْوَةُ، نُقرِضُهُمُ المَالَ وَالقَمْحَ. فَدَعُونَا نَترُكُ المُطَالَبَةَ بِرَهْنٍ لِلقُرُوضِ.

What Does This Mean?

Nehemiah is talking about how he and his friends had been charging interest on loans to the people, but he decided to stop doing that. He wants others to do the same, asking them to stop charging interest to the poor.

Explained for Children

Imagine you have a lemonade stand, and your friend wants to borrow money to buy lemons. You might say, 'If you borrow from me, you have to give me more money back.' Nehemiah is saying, 'Let's stop doing that and just help each other instead.'

Historical Background

Nehemiah wrote this during his time leading the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls around 445 BC. He was addressing the Jewish community who were struggling with poverty and exploitation by the rich.

Living It Out Today

Today, imagine a community where people are struggling financially. Instead of taking advantage by charging high-interest loans, leaders could step in and offer fair help, encouraging others to do the same.

Topics

• justice
• compassion
• poverty
• generosity
• community
• leadership

Related Verses

• Exodus 22:25
• Deuteronomy 23:19
• Psalms 15:5
• Proverbs 28:8
• Luke 6:35

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Nehemiah stop charging interest?

Nehemiah stopped charging interest to help the poor and to lead by example, showing compassion and fairness to his fellow Jews.

What is the context of Nehemiah 5:10?

This verse is part of Nehemiah's efforts to address the economic exploitation of the poor by the rich in Jerusalem after the return from exile.

How does this relate to modern financial practices?

This verse encourages modern leaders and lenders to consider the impact of high-interest rates on the poor and to find ways to help without exploitation.

What can we learn from Nehemiah's approach to lending?

We can learn the importance of compassion and fairness in financial dealings and the value of leading by example in ethical practices.