John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 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, ( Exodus 22:25) and which even the Indians 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 their accusations and complaints against them, or a large body of the people, who were not guilty, to hear them, that the delinquents might be put to public shame; or he called a large court of judicature, and set them to examine these allegations, and to do justice.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 6-13 - Nehemiah knew that, if he built Jerusalem's walls ever so high, s thick, or so strong, the city could not be safe while there wer abuses. The right way to reform men's lives, is to convince their consciences. If you walk in the fear of God, you will not be eithe covetous of worldly gain, or cruel toward your brethren. Nothin exposes religion more to reproach, than the worldliness an hard-heartedness of the professors of it. Those that rigorously insis upon their right, with a very ill grace try to persuade others to giv up theirs. In reasoning with selfish people, it is good to contras their conduct with that of others who are liberal; but it is best to point to His example, who though he was rich, yet for our sakes becam poor, that we, through his poverty, might be rich, 2Co 8:9. They di according to promise. Good promises are good things, but goo performances are better.
Original Hebrew וימלך4427 לבי3820 עלי5921 ואריבה7378 את853 החרים2715 ואת853 הסגנים5461 ואמרה559 להם משׁא5378 אישׁ376 באחיו251 אתם859 נשׁאים5383 ואתן5414 עליהם5921 קהלה6952 גדולה׃1419
