Nehemiah 5:13

Also I shook my lap R.V. Also I shook out my lap. (LXX. ἀναβολήν. Vulg. -sinum".) The word here rendered -lap" only occurs elsewhere in the O. T. in Isaiah 49:22, R.V. -bosom," A.V. -arms." Nehemiah here employs a symbolical gesture, suiting his action to his metaphor. He pressed tightly to his body the loose fold of his mantle, so that it hung like a bag or wallet against him; then with a vehement motion of both hands he suddenly stretched it out and shook it in the sight of all the people, so that anything which it might have before concealed would have been jerked violently from him. Even so, he says, may God cast forth from His protection and love, in home and work, the man who fails to abide by the compact. Cf. Job 38:13, -That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it." Isaiah 24:1. The gesture was rhetorical. It would impress itself upon the audience, and emphasize the speaker's words. For instances of symbolical action comp. 1Ki 11:30; 1 Kings 20:35-43; 1 Kings 22:11; Jeremiah 13:1-14; Jeremiah 18:1-12; Jeremiah 19:1-13; Matthew 27:24; Acts 18:6.

that performeth not this promise Lit. -that fulfilleth or establisheth not this word." The same phrase in the original as Deuteronomy 27:26, -Cursed be he that confirmeth not the words of this law to do them."

from his house, and from his labour This conjunction of words sounds proverbial, but does not occur elsewhere in the O. T. -His labour" does not mean so much -his means of occupation" the modern idea as -the exercise and even the fruits of his industry." The word used is that found in the expression -the labour of the hands," Genesis 31:42; Job 10:3; Psalms 128:2; Haggai 1:11. Cf. Deuteronomy 28:33, -The fruit of thy ground, and all thy labours, shall a nation which thou knowest not eat up."

promise, even thus R.V. promise; even thus.

all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the Lord The people said -Amen," ratifying the curse of Nehemiah and the condition of the contract: they praised the Lord, because the poor had been succoured and the division of the people healed. The -Amen," as the people's assent to the ruler's proposition, occurs again Nehemiah 8:6. Cf. 1Ki 1:36; 1 Chronicles 16:36, and Deuteronomy 27:15.

And the people did, &c. If we may press the distinction between the two words employed, -the people" in the mass carried into execution the resolutions of -the congregation," that had approved Nehemiah's measures.