Charles Ellicott Commentary Nehemiah 5:8

"And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, that were sold unto the nations; and would ye even sell your brethren, and should they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found never a word." — Nehemiah 5:8 (ASV)

Will ye even sell your brethren? —The appeal is a strong one. Nehemiah and his friends had redeemed Jews from the heathen with money; these men had caused Jews to be sold to Jews.

Nothing to answer. —They might have replied had the letter of the law been urged; but this argument puts them to shame.