BibleTools.info

6. I was very angry. It seems that the letter of the law had not been violated, except in the matter of taking interest (v. 11), of which the people had not complained. That men might sell their daughters is apparent from Ex. 21:7. The servitude of menservants was limited to six years (see on Ex. 2:2), and if the year of jubilee began earlier than the end of the sixth year, they went free automatically (Lev. 25:10; see on Deut. 15:12). It was also permissible to “sell” (lease) land (Lev. 25:14-16), but not to dispose of it permanently (vs. 10, 13). However, the spirit if not the letter of the law was transgressed by the rich. In time of economic hardship it was their duty to assist their poorer brethren, not to oppress them (vs. 14, 17). Nehemiah, his near relatives, and his followers had done so to the extent of their ability (Neh. 5:10, 15). The rich, however, had made all the profit they could at the expense of their fellow countrymen. That Nehemiah, a man capable of great passion when his sense of right was aroused, could well be angry with these conscienceless and unscrupulous profiteers is easily understandable.