Nehemiah 5

Nehemiah 5:1

AGainst their brethren] Against the rich which oppressed them, v. 7.

Nehemiah 5:2

we take up corn for them] This is the complaint of the people, shewing to what extremity they were brought, that they were forced to sell their children for food. See v. 5. Matthew 18:25.

Nehemiah 5:3

We have morgaged our lands] They were brought to this poverty, because by reason of continuall labour in building the wall, they were forced to neglect their own businesse.

Nehemiah 5:4

for the kings tribute] Which they yeerly paid to the king of Persia: for church-men onely were free. See Ezra 7:24. Genesis 47:22.

Nehemiah 5:5

our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren] By nature the rich is no better then the poor, Isaiah 58:7. Acts 17:26.

neither is it in our power to redeem them] We are not able to redeem them, but for poverty are compelled to hire them out to others.

Nehemiah 5:7

I consulted with my self] Heb. my heart consulted in me.

You exact] Ye oppresse them with usury, and seek how to bring all things into your hands.

usury] Or, burden, Isaiah 58:6.

And I set a great assembly against them] Both because they should be moved with pitty, seeing how many were by them opprest, and also hear the judgement of others, which should be as it were witnesses of their dealing toward their brethren.

Nehemiah 5:8

We, after our abilitie, have redeemed our brethren] Leviticus 25:48.

shall they be sold unto us?] Seeing God by our means hath once already delivered them from the bondage of the heathen, shall we make them our slaves?

Nehemiah 5:9

Also I said] Meaning Nehemiah.

not good] Or, stark naught, as Proverbs 24:23.

because of the reproach of the heathen] Who by this occasion will blaspheme the name of God, seeing that our acts are no better then theirs, 2 Samuel 12:14. Romans 2:24.

Nehemiah 5:10

might exact of them money] Or, have lent to them. To wit, without usury.

usury] Or, burden, v. 7.

Nehemiah 5:11

that ye exact of them] Which ye take of them for the loan: or, otherwise exact from them, Isaiah 58:3.

Nehemiah 5:12

will require nothing] Or, we will not require it: To wit, the hundredth part, v. 11. For it is not likely that they would do more then Nehemiah asked.

Nehemiah 5:13

I shook my lap] A ceremony then used, the same in effect with that, Acts 18:6. and not unlike that of shaking off the dust of their feet, Matthew 10:14. Acts 13:51. For substance see the like, 2 Chron. 15. 13.

emptied] Heb. empty, or void.

Nehemiah 5:14

the bread of the governour] I received not that portion and diet which the governours before me had exacted, v. 15. wherein he declareth, that he rather sought the wealth of the people, then his own commodity, 1 Cor. 9. 4, 15. 1 Kings 4. 22.

Nehemiah 5:15

bread] Or, for bread.

beside fourty shekels of silver] Or, after fourty shekels of silver. That is, being not contented with the fourty shekels they exacted of the people, they required more of them to buy bread and wine.

Nehemiah 5:17

from among the heathen] Of strangers that came for visitation, or embassage, or the like offices.

Nehemiah 5:18

store of all sorts of wine] It may be they had wine at other times by a set allowance, but once in ten dayes they had aboundance.

the bread of the governour] See v. 14.

Nehemiah 5:19

Think upon me] Chap. 13. 22.