The Church Fathers on this verse

Nehemiah 5:13Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Moreover I shook my lap, and said: So may God shake every man that shall not accomplish this word, out of his house, and out of his labours, thus may he be shaken out, and become empty. And all the multitude said: Amen. And they praised God. And the people did according to what was said.

Douay-Rheims

גַּם־חָצְנִ֣י נָעַ֗רְתִּי וָֽאֹמְרָ֡ה כָּ֣כָה יְנַעֵ֪ר הָֽאֱלֹהִ֟ים אֶת־כָּל־הָאִישׁ֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹֽא־יָקִ֜ים אֶת־הַדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּ֗ה מִבֵּיתוֹ֙ וּמִ֣יגִיע֔וֹ וְכָ֛כָה יִהְיֶ֥ה נָע֖וּר וָרֵ֑ק וַיֹּאמְר֨וּ כָֽל־הַקָּהָ֜ל אָמֵ֗ן וַֽיְהַלְלוּ֙ אֶת־יְהוָ֔ה וַיַּ֥עַשׂ הָעָ֖ם כַּדָּבָ֥ר הַזֶּֽה׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

Beda Venerabilis

7th centuryChurch Father

Those who deny assistance to the needy and feel no shame in demanding from them what they cannot afford demonstrate a heart removed from the fellowship of the holy Church, which they mistakenly believed would be their eternal home. Indeed, they lose their spiritual treasures—the rewards of righteous deeds—which they presumed to have achieved commendably. Works done devoid of holiness will yield no lasting reward in the sight of the Lord.

Upon hearing Nehemiah’s message, the people responded with a heartfelt ‘Amen’ and praised God, clearly indicating that their actions were not driven by fear but were instead a genuine response of heartfelt enthusiasm.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.