What does Nehemiah 5:1 mean?
"And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews." - Nehemiah 5:1
Nehemiah 5:1 - "And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews."
The verse Nehemiah 5:1 in the King James Version of the Bible states, "And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews." This verse is found in the book of Nehemiah, which tells the story of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem and the restoration of the city.
At this point in the narrative, the people of Jerusalem are facing internal strife and conflict. The reference to "a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews" reveals the deep division and discord within the community. The use of the term "brethren" emphasizes that these conflicts are between members of the same family and community, making the situation all the more distressing.
The book of Nehemiah is set in the historical context of the Jewish people returning to Jerusalem after their exile in Babylon. Nehemiah, a high-ranking official in the court of King Artaxerxes, is granted permission to return to Jerusalem and oversee the reconstruction of the city walls. The challenges he faces are not only physical, but also social and spiritual, as the people are divided and facing oppression from outside forces.
In this specific verse, the "great cry" of the people and their wives reflects their anguish and outcry against their fellow Jews. The word "cry" suggests not only vocal expression, but also emotional and spiritual distress. This conflict is not simply a matter of disagreement, but a deeply rooted and painful division within the community. The use of the term "wives" further emphasizes the widespread impact of this conflict, involving not only the men but also their families and households.
The themes of division, injustice, and social responsibility are central to this verse. The internal conflicts among the Jewish people highlight the detrimental effects of discord and disunity within a community. The power dynamics at play, as well as the oppression faced by the people, serve as a backdrop to this internal strife, emphasizing the need for solidarity and mutual support. The outcry of the people reflects their desire for justice and righteousness, as well as their need for reconciliation and healing.
Symbolically, this verse can be seen as a representation of the brokenness and disunity that sin and oppression bring into the lives of God's people. The "great cry" serves as a reminder of the pain and suffering that result from internal strife and division. It also points to the need for confession, repentance, and forgiveness in order to restore harmony and peace within the community.
In a broader sense, this verse can also serve as a reflection of the human condition and the universal struggle for justice and reconciliation. The cry of the people speaks to the longing for restoration and wholeness, as well as the recognition of the brokenness and injustice present in the world.
Overall, Nehemiah 5:1 captures the depth of human suffering and the impact of internal conflicts within a community. It also points to the need for social responsibility, justice, and reconciliation in the face of oppression and division. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of unity, forgiveness, and love within the community of believers.
Nehemiah 5:1 Artwork
Nehemiah 5:1 - "And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews."
Nehemiah 10:5 - "Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah,"
Nehemiah 12:5 - "Miamin, Maadiah, Bilgah,"
Nehemiah 1:1 - "The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace,"
Nehemiah 10:1 - "Now those that sealed were, Nehemiah, the Tirshatha, the son of Hachaliah, and Zidkijah,"
Nehemiah 5:6 - "¶ And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words."
Nehemiah 1:5 - "And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:"
Nehemiah 3:5 - "And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord."
Nehemiah 5:5 - "Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards."
Nehemiah 5:19 - "Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people."
Nehemiah 5:4 - "There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards."
Nehemiah 6:5 - "Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;"
Nehemiah 4:5 - "And cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before thee: for they have provoked thee to anger before the builders."
Nehemiah 11:5 - "And Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Col-hozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of Shiloni."
Nehemiah 8:5 - "And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:"
Nehemiah 5:3 - "Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth."
Nehemiah 5:9 - "Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies?"
Nehemiah 5:2 - "For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, are many: therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat, and live."
Nehemiah 5:17 - "Moreover there were at my table an hundred and fifty of the Jews and rulers, beside those that came unto us from among the heathen that are about us."
Nehemiah 5:10 - "I likewise, and my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money and corn: I pray you, let us leave off this usury."
Nehemiah 5:16 - "Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered thither unto the work."
Nehemiah 12:1 - "Now these are the priests and the Levites that went up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra,"
Nehemiah 5:11 - "Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them."
Nehemiah 5:12 - "Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise."
Romans 5:1
Nehemiah 5:7 - "Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them."
Nehemiah 1:10 - "Now these are thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand."
Nehemiah 9:1 - "Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes, and earth upon them."
Nehemiah 13:5 - "And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which was commanded to be given to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests."
Nehemiah 4:1 - "But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews."