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.
I also shook out my robe and said, 'May God shake out from his house and work every person who doesn't keep this promise—may he be shaken out and left with nothing.' And all the people said, 'Amen,' and praised the LORD. The people kept their promise.
Nehemiah made a dramatic gesture to emphasize that God would judge anyone who broke their promise to help their fellow Jews, and the people agreed and kept their word.
📚 Historical Context
Nehemiah had just confronted wealthy Jews who were charging excessive interest and taking advantage of their poorer neighbors during Jerusalem's rebuilding. The nobles and officials had promised to return the property they had seized and stop charging interest. This dramatic gesture of shaking out his robe was a symbolic curse, calling on God to judge anyone who broke this solemn promise.
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.