King James Version

What Does Nehemiah 5:13 Mean?

Nehemiah 5:13 in the King James Version says “Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this ... — study this verse from Nehemiah chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise. emptied: Heb. empty, or, void

Nehemiah 5:13 · KJV


Context

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.

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.

13

Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise. emptied: Heb. empty, or, void

14

Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor.

15

But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise.

This verse within Nehemiah 5 addresses themes of justice, integrity, selfless leadership, economic reform. Internal crisis threatens to destroy what external opposition could not—economic exploitation requiring bold reforming leadership. This passage demonstrates biblical principles applicable across both testaments—God's sovereignty combined with human responsibility, faith expressed through obedient action, and the necessity of both individual and corporate commitment to covenant faithfulness. Nehemiah models leadership that combines vision, prayer, courage, integrity, and perseverance amid sustained opposition.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Nehemiah's account occurs during Persian imperial dominance (539-331 BC), specifically 445-433 BC under Artaxerxes I. The 52-day wall completion represents remarkable achievement given opposition and limited resources. Excavations have confirmed portions of Nehemiah's wall and various gates mentioned in the text. The Persian period was crucial transitional time when Jewish identity shifted from monarchical nationalism to Torah-centered covenantal community. Without political independence, the people's cohesion depended on shared scripture, temple worship, and covenant obedience. This established patterns persisting through the Second Temple period into New Testament times. Understanding this context illuminates Jesus's ministry among a people shaped by these reforms and challenges.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Nehemiah 5:13 deepen your understanding of God's character and His work in human history?
  2. What specific action or attitude change does this verse call you to make in your walk with God?
  3. How can the principles demonstrated in this passage inform your response to current challenges in your life or church?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 33 words
גַּם1 of 33
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

חָצְנִ֣י2 of 33

my lap

H2684

bosom

נָע֖וּר3 of 33

Also I shook

H5287

to tumble about

וַיֹּֽאמְר֨וּ4 of 33

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כָּ֣כָה5 of 33
H3602

just so, referring to the previous or following context

נָע֖וּר6 of 33

Also I shook

H5287

to tumble about

הָֽאֱלֹהִ֟ים7 of 33

So God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֶת8 of 33
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל9 of 33
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָאִישׁ֩10 of 33

every man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר11 of 33
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לֹֽא12 of 33
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יָקִ֜ים13 of 33

that performeth

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

אֶת14 of 33
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כַּדָּבָ֥ר15 of 33

according to this promise

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הַזֶּ֗ה16 of 33
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

מִבֵּיתוֹ֙17 of 33

from his house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

וּמִ֣יגִיע֔וֹ18 of 33

and from his labour

H3018

toil; hence, a work, produce, property (as the result of labor)

וְכָ֛כָה19 of 33
H3602

just so, referring to the previous or following context

יִֽהְיֶ֥ה20 of 33
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

נָע֖וּר21 of 33

Also I shook

H5287

to tumble about

וָרֵ֑ק22 of 33

and emptied

H7386

empty; figuratively, worthless

וַיֹּֽאמְר֨וּ23 of 33

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כָֽל24 of 33
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַקָּהָ֜ל25 of 33

And all the congregation

H6951

assemblage (usually concretely)

אָמֵ֗ן26 of 33

Amen

H543

sure; abstract, faithfulness; adverb, truly

וַֽיְהַלְלוּ֙27 of 33

and praised

H1984

to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causativ

אֶת28 of 33
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְהוָ֔ה29 of 33

the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וַיַּ֥עַשׂ30 of 33

did

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

הָעָ֖ם31 of 33

And the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

כַּדָּבָ֥ר32 of 33

according to this promise

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הַזֶּֽה׃33 of 33
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Nehemiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Nehemiah 5:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Nehemiah 5:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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