Because of the dearth . Some, who could not say that their families were large, claimed relief on account, as it would seem, not so much of a present as of a past famine, which had forced them to mortgage their fields, vineyards, and houses. That Judaea was liable to famines about this time appears from Haggai 1:6 , Haggai 1:9-11 ; Haggai 2:16-19 . read more
Are many - A slight emendation brings this verse into exact parallelism with the next, and gives the sense - “We have pledged our sons and our daughters, that we might get corn, and eat and live.” Compare Nehemiah 5:5. read more
Nehemiah 5:2. We, our sons, and our daughters, are many Which indeed is in itself a blessing, but to us is turned into a curse. The families that were most necessitous were most numerous. Those who have great families and little substance must learn to live by faith in God’s providence and promises: and those who have little families and great substance must make their abundance a supply for the wants of others. We take up corn for them, that we may eat and live That is, we are compelled... read more
Nehemiah 5:3. Because of the dearth Not long before this, there had been a great scarcity of corn through want of rain, which God had withheld as a punishment for the people’s taking more care to build their own houses than his temple, as we read Haggai 1:9-11. And, in this time of scarcity the rich had no compassion on their poor brethren, who were forced to part with all they had for bread. And this dearth was now increased, from the multitude of the people in and near Jerusalem; from... read more
The greed of the rich (5:1-19)Another problem that Nehemiah dealt with was the tension that had developed over the years between the rich and the poor. Those in financial difficulty borrowed money from the rich to buy food and pay their land taxes to the Persian government. The rich took advantage of them by charging heavy interest. Then, when the poor could not pay, the rich took their land from them in payment, and in some cases took their children as slaves. Troubles increased when a famine... read more
have mortgaged = are mortgaging. the dearth. One of the thirteen famines ( App-10 ) recorded in Scripture. See note on Genesis 12:10 . read more
Nehemiah 5:3. Because of the dearth— Not long before this, there had been a great scarcity for want of rain; which God thought proper to withhold, as a punishment for the people's taking more care to build their own houses than his, as we read, Haggai 1:9; Haggai 1:15. At this time the rich had no compassion on their poor brethren, but forced them to part with all they had for bread; and now, which made them still more miserable, another dearth was come upon them, which might easily happen from... read more
3. The strife among the workers ch. 5This chapter evidently describes a situation that prevailed for more than the 52 days the wall was under construction (cf. Nehemiah 5:14). The writer probably included it in the text here because it was another situation that threatened to block the fulfillment of God’s will."Up to this point Nehemiah’s challenges as a spiritual leader focused primarily on those outside of Judah. But before the walls were finally rebuilt, he encountered the most difficult... read more
Nehemiah’s Measures in alleviation of Poverty1. The people] i.e. the commons (as contrasted with the nobles and rulers, Nehemiah 5:7). These had neglected their own interests to labour gratuitously on the fortifications, and now in the time of dearth were feeling the pinch of want. 2. Therefore we take up corn] better, ’we must get corn.’ The language is that of desperate men, compelled by necessity to accept the harsh conditions imposed by those to whom they had recourse for the corn they... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 5:2
There were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, are many . Those who had large families were foremost in making complaint. They found their numerous progeny not the blessing that abundant offspring is ordinarily reckoned in Holy Scripture, but a burthen and an anxiety. Therefore we take up corn for them . We are obliged to get corn for them, or they would die, and have to run in debt for it. Corn, wine, and oil seem to have been lent, no less than money ( Nehemiah 5:11 ). read more