Nehemiah 5:2

“For there were that said, we, our sons, and our daughters, are many, etc.] 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.”

“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. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Many - Which is in itself a blessing, but to us is turned into a curse. Take up - We are forced to take up corn, upon unreasonable terms. Nehemiah 5:3”

“5:2 Some farmers had diverted their efforts from raising crops to building the wall, leaving their large families in need of food to survive. Someone had to feed their families, or they would have to stop work on the wall and go home to work in their fields.”

“our sons: Psa 127:3-5, Psa 128:2-4; Mal 2:2 we take up corn: Gen 41:57, Gen 42:2, Gen 43:8 Nehemiah 5:3”