Nehemiah 5:1-7

1 And there is a great cry of the people and their wives, concerning their brethren the Jews,

2 yea, there are who are saying, `Our sons, and our daughters, we -- are many, and we receive corn, and eat, and live.'

3 And there are who are saying, `Our fields, and our vineyards, and our houses, we are pledging, and we receive corn for the famine.'

4 And there are who are saying, `We have borrowed money for the tribute of the king, [on] our fields, and our vineyards;

5 and now, as the flesh of our brethren [is] our flesh, as their sons [are] our sons, and lo, we are subduing our sons and our daughters for servants, and there are of our daughters subdued, and our hand hath no might, and our fields and our vineyards [are] to others.'

6 And it is very displeasing to me when I have heard their cry and these words,

7 and my heart reigneth over me, and I strive with the freemen, and with the prefects, and say to them, `Usury one upon another ye are exacting;' and I set against them a great assembly,

Nehemiah 5:1-7 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.