Nehemiah 5:1-5

Social Injustice

1 There was a widespread outcry from the people and their wives against their Jewish countrymen.

2 Some were saying, "We, our sons, and our daughters are numerous. Let us get grain so that we can eat and live."

3 Others were saying, "We are mortgaging our fields, vineyards, and homes to get grain during the famine."

4 Still others were saying, "We have borrowed money to pay the king's tax on our fields and vineyards.

5 We and our children are [just] like our countrymen and their children, yet we are subjecting our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters are already enslaved, but we are powerless^[a] because our fields and vineyards 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.

Footnotes

• [a] Lit but there is not the power in our hand