Nehemiah 5:1-5

1 Now there was a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish kin.

2 For there were those who said, "With our sons and our daughters, we are many; we must get grain, so that we may eat and stay alive."

3 There were also those who said, "We are having to pledge our fields, our vineyards, and our houses in order to get grain during the famine."

4 And there were those who said, "We are having to borrow money on our fields and vineyards to pay the king's tax.

5 Now our flesh is the same as that of our kindred; our children are the same as their children; and yet we are forcing our sons and daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters have been ravished; we are powerless, and our fields and vineyards now belong to others."

Nehemiah 5:1-5 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EZRA 5

In this chapter is a complaint of the poor against the rich for oppression of them, Ne 5:1-5 for which Nehemiah being angry, reproved them, and made them promise, and swear to it, to make restitution, Ne 5:6-13 and set them an example himself, taking nothing of them during his twelve years' government, supporting himself and his at his own expenses, Ne 5:14-19.