Nehemiah 5:8

Authorized King James Version

And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וָאֹֽמְרָ֣ה
H559
And I said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
לָהֶ֗ם
H0
#3
אֲנַ֣חְנוּ
H587
we
#4
קָ֠נִינוּ
H7069
have redeemed
to erect, i.e., create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own
#5
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#6
אֲחֵיכֶ֖ם
H251
our brethren
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
#7
הַיְּהוּדִ֜ים
H3064
the Jews
a jehudite (i.e., judaite or jew), or descendant of jehudah (i.e., judah)
#8
וְנִמְכְּרוּ
H4376
and will ye even sell
to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrender)
#9
לַגּוֹיִם֙
H1471
unto the heathen
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
#10
כְּדֵ֣י
H1767
unto them We after our ability
enough (as noun or adverb), used chiefly with preposition in phrases
#11
בָ֔נוּ
H0
#12
וְגַם
H1571
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
#13
אַתֶּ֛ם
H859
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#14
וְנִמְכְּרוּ
H4376
and will ye even sell
to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrender)
#15
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#16
אֲחֵיכֶ֖ם
H251
our brethren
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
#17
וְנִמְכְּרוּ
H4376
and will ye even sell
to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrender)
#18
לָ֑נוּ
H0
#19
וַֽיַּחֲרִ֔ישׁוּ
H2790
unto us Then held they their peace
to scratch, i.e., (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate (of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad
#20
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#21
מָֽצְא֖וּ
H4672
and found
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
#22
דָּבָֽר׃
H1696
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Nehemiah. The concept of peace reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Nehemiah Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes peace in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection