Nehemiah 5:2

2 And some said, We numerous with our sons and our daughters; so we will take corn, and 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 the cry of the people and their wives great against their brethren the Jews.

2 And some said, We numerous with our sons and our daughters; so we will take corn, and eat, and live.

3 And some said, our fields and vineyards and houses, let us pledge , and we will take corn, and eat.

4 And some said, We have borrowed money for the king's tributes:—our fields, and our vineyards, and houses .

5 And now our flesh as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: yet, behold, we are reducing our sons and our daughters to slavery, and some of our daughters are enslaved: and there is no power of our hands, for our fields and our vineyards to the nobles.