Nehemiah 5:1313Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labor, 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). Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labor, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied.
The “lap” was a fold made in the outer garment, near the breast, for the reception of various articles. See note on Luke 6:3838Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. (Luke 6:38) (#760). To shake this was equivalent to a curse, and to empty it was a significant suggestion of utter extermination. Roberts says that the natives of India always carry in their lap a pouch made of the leaf of cocoa or of some other tree, and that they are careful never to have the pouch entirely empty. They have in it money, areca nut, betel leaf, and tobacco. Even when they wish to find any article they never empty the pouch, but rather fumble about for a long time until they get hold of the object sought. They say if the pouch should become empty it might remain so for a long time. They also shake the lap of the robe when they curse each other.
When the Roman embassadors proposed the choice of peace or war to the Carthaginians they made use of a similar ceremony. “When the Roman embassadors entered the senate of Carthage they had their toga gathered up in their bosom. They said, ‘We carry here peace and war; you may have which you will.’ The senate answered, ‘You may give which you please.’ They then shook their toga, and said, ‘We bring you war.’ To which all the senate answered, ‘We cheerfully accept it’” (Burder, Oriental Illustrations, No. 645).