Nehemiah 9:37

37 and its produce abundant for the kings whom thou didst appoint over us because of our sins; and they have dominion over our bodies, and over our cattle, as it pleases them, and we are in great affliction.

Nehemiah 9:37 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 9:37

And it yieldeth much increase unto the kings whom thou hast
set over us, because of our sins
Though a very fruitful land, and brought forth much, yet not for them, but for foreign kings, that had the sovereignty over them, and enacted much toll, tribute, and custom from them, which greatly lessened the profit of the earth to them:

also they have dominion over our bodies;
and could oblige them to work for them, and do any service they should command:

and over our cattle, at their pleasure;
to carry burdens for them, or ride post with them:

and we are in great distress;
being servants and tributaries to a foreign power.

Nehemiah 9:37 In-Context

35 And they did not serve thee in thy kingdom, and in thy great goodness which thou gavest to them, and in the large and fat land which thou didst furnish before them, and they turned not from their evil devices.

36 Behold, we are servants this day, and the land which thou gavest to our fathers to eat the fruit of it and the good things of it, behold, we are servants upon it:

37 and its produce abundant for the kings whom thou didst appoint over us because of our sins; and they have dominion over our bodies, and over our cattle, as it pleases them, and we are in great affliction.

38 And in regard to all these circumstances we make a covenant, and write , and our princes, our Levites, our priests, set their seal to .