Nehemiah 5

Nehemiah 5:2

TAke up] the Italian, receive, that is to say, whilst wee work for the publick good, let our food at least bee provided for; either by the publick, or by the contribution of rich men.

Nehemiah 5:5

Our flesh] wee are of the same linage, nature and condition: [Daughters]which was a signe of extreame distresse; considering the weaknesse of the sex, and the danger of their chastity, when they were in other mens powers: [is it in our power] for to redeem them; which was lawfull for them to doe at any time, Exodus 21:7.

Nehemiah 5:7

A great assembly] the great and Soveraign Counsell, composed of all the heads of the people Deuteronomy 23:1. 1 Chron. 13. 2. and 19. 1. and often elsewhere.

Nehemiah 5:8

Have redeemed] this peradventure was done in Babylon before the comming away, according to the Law, Levit. 25. 47. [will you even sell] namely to be paid, or constraine them to sell themselves, for some benefit which you should freely grant them for nothing.

Nehemiah 5:9

Because of the] the Italian, for fear of the, for feare least wee doe againe provoke Gods wrath against us, and hee make us againe a scorne unto our enemies, by new scourges and afflictions.

Nehemiah 5:11

The hundredth part] a tax of usury, at one in the hundred by the month, forbidden when usury is forbidden in generall, Exodus 22:25. Levit. 25. 36. Deuteronomy 23:19.

Nehemiah 5:12

The Priests] to be witnesses of this oath, as Gods ministers, who represented him.

Nehemiah 5:14

Of the bread] which was levied upon the people, for to finde the governours diet.

Nehemiah 5:15

Besides forty] the Italian, afterwards forty having changed those rates of bread and wine into so many shekles a day.

Nehemiah 5:17

That came] for to doe Gods service, or to give us necessary intellgences, Neb.4. 12.

Nehemiah 5:18

Store of all sorts] I kept an extraordinary table, and did invite guests, at which time there was extraordinary store of wine spent.