Bible study online

Nehemiah 5:13

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Nehemiah 5:13

Verse 13 of 19

Scripture focus

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.

Nehemiah 5:13 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Nehemiah 5:13

Theological / Devotional

I shook my lap. The Hebrew word translated “lap” designates the lap of the garment, in which things were sometimes carried. The word is found only here, and as “amis” in Isaiah 49:22. To emphasize the binding nature of the promise, Nehemiah performed a symbolical act. This consisted in his gathering up his garment as if for the purpose of carrying something in it, and then shaking it out — as he uttered the curse of verse 13. Among the nations of antiquity few things were so much dreaded as falling under a curse. The maledictions of Deuteronomy 28:16-44 were similarly designed to impress those who might be tempted to violate the law. Curses inscribed over the entrances to the tombs of Assyrian and Persian kings were intended to frighten away would-be looters. Ancient treaties were similarly protected against violation. Nehemiah’s curse is unusual, but its purpose is clear.

By SdaBc