Nehemiah 5:2

2 For there were those who said, "We, our sons and our daughters are many; therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat and live."

Nehemiah 5:2 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 5:2

For there were that said, we, our sons, and our daughters, are
many
Not that they complained of the number of their children, for a numerous offspring was always reckoned a blessing with the Jews; but this they observed to show that their families, being large, required a considerable quantity of food to support them:

therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat and live;
that is, they were obliged to take it at an exorbitant price, which is the thing complained of; or otherwise they must starve, the rich taking the advantage of their poverty and present dearth.

Nehemiah 5:2 In-Context

1 And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews.

2 For there were those who said, "We, our sons and our daughters are many; therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat and live."

3 There were some also who said, "We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn because of the dearth."

4 There were also those who said, "We have borrowed money for the king's tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards.

5 Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children; and lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought unto bondage already; neither is it in our power to redeem them, for other men have our lands and vineyards."