BibleWord.ai› Bible› Nehemiah› Chapter 5› Verse 4

Nehemiah 5:4

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Nehemiah 5:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king`s tribute [upon] our fields and our vineyards.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king`s tribute [upon] our fields and our vineyards.
Nehemiah 5:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Nehemiah 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Then there arose a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews.
2For there were that said, We, our sons and our daughters, are many: let us get grain, that we may eat and live.
3Some also there were that said, We are mortgaging our fields, and our vineyards, and our houses: let us get grain, because of the dearth.
4There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king`s tribute [upon] our fields and our vineyards.
5Yet 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 into bondage [already]: neither is it in our power to help it; for other men have our fields and our vineyards.
6And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.
7Then I consulted with myself, and contended with the nobles and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I held a great assembly against them.
← Nehemiah 5:3Nehemiah 5:5 →
← Full Chapter 5 Nehemiah Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“There were also that said, etc.] Who though they were able to buy corn for their families without mortgaging their estates: yet, say they, we have borrowed money for the king’s tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards; for though the priests, Levites, and Nethinims, were exempted from it, yet not the people in common; and some of these were so poor, that they could not pay it without borrowing upon their estates, and paying large usury for it, (see <150608>Ezra 6:8 7:24)”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The king’s tribute - The tax payable to the Persian monarch (compare Ezra 4:13; Esther 10:1). In ancient times, heavy taxation was often productive of debt and distress. return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“5:4 to pay our taxes: Despite the famine, the Persians did not cancel the onerous royal tribute due at harvest time.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the king's tribute: Neh 9:37; Deu 28:47, Deu 28:48; Jos 16:10; Kg1 9:21; Ezr 4:13, Ezr 4:20 Nehemiah 5:5”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Nehemiah 5 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification