John Gill Commentary Nehemiah 5:7

"Then I consulted with myself, and contended with the nobles and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I held a great assembly against them." — Nehemiah 5:7 (ASV)

Then I consulted with myself
What was to be done, what method was to be taken to redress such grievances:

and I rebuked the nobles and the rulers ;
who were the men that monopolized the corn in this dear season, and sold it at an extravagant price, and has got the lands, vineyards, and houses of the poor mortgaged to them, and to whom they had lent money on usury:

and I said to them, you exact usury everyone of his brother ;
which was contrary to the express law of God, (Exodus 22:25) and which even the Indians ^F8 strictly observed, who neither let out money, nor took any upon usury:

and I set a great assembly against them ;
either of the poor that were oppressed, who brought in their accusations and complaints against them, or a large body of the people, who were not guilty, to hear them, that the delinquents might be put to public shame; or he called a large court of judicature, and set them to examine these allegations, and to do justice.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F8: Aelian. Var. Hist. l. 4. c. 1.