Nehemiah 5:5

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."

Nehemiah 5:5 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 5:5

Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren
We are of the same nature, nation, stock, and religion: our children as their children; are circumcised as they, and have a right to the same privileges in church and state:

and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and daughters to be servants;
shall be obliged to it, unless relieved:

and some of our daughters are brought into bondage already;
sold to be servants, as they might in case of the poverty of parents, ( Exodus 21:7 ) , and some were sometimes taken to be bondmen in payment of their parents' debts, ( 2 Kings 4:1 )

neither is it in our power to redeem them, for other men have our lands
and vineyards;
as pledges for money borrowed.

Nehemiah 5:5 In-Context

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."

6 And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.

7 Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles and the rulers and said unto them, "Ye exact usury, every one from his brother." And I set a great assembly against them.