Nehemiah 5:4

4 And there were some that said, We have borrowed money for the king’s tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards.

Nehemiah 5:4 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 5:4

There were also that said
Who though they were able to buy corn for their families without mortgaging their estates: yet, say they,

we have borrowed money for the king's tribute, and that upon our lands
and vineyards;
for though the priests, Levites, and Nethinims, were exempted from it, yet not the people in common; and some of these were so poor, that they could not pay it without borrowing upon their estates, and paying large usury for it, see ( Ezra 6:8 ) ( 7:24 )

Nehemiah 5:4 In-Context

2 For there were some that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, are many; therefore we have bought grain that we may eat and live.

3 There were also some that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy grain because of the famine.

4 And there were some that said, We have borrowed money for the king’s tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards.

5 Yet now, given that the flesh of our brethren is as our flesh and their sons as our sons, behold, we subject our sons and our daughters to slavery, and there are some of our daughters in bondage already; neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards.

6 And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.