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.
Also I shook my lap, and said, so God shake out every man ... Since the people often sit upon the ground, the dust or sand accumulates around and upon them, because it is continually blowing around. Every now and then, therefore, they rise, shake the dust out of their laps, and then sit down again. Nehemiah's metaphorical reference to this practice is obvious.