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Nehemiah 5:3

Poverty and the vulnerableMoney and wealth

1 And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews.

2 For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, are many: therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat, and live.

Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth.

4 There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king’s tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards.

5 Yet 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 unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards.

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Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our homes to get grain during the famine.”
KJV
Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth.
WEB
There were also some who said, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our houses. Let us get grain, because of the famine.”
ASV
Some also there were that said, We are mortgaging our fields, and our vineyards, and our houses: let us get grain, because of the dearth.
DARBY
And there were that said, We have had to pledge our fields, and our vineyards, and our houses, that we might procure corn in the dearth.
BLB
And there were those who said, “Our lands and vineyards and houses we have mortgaged, that we might buy grain during the famine.”
ÅB
Andre sa: Våre marker og vingårder og hus må vi sette i pant; la oss få korn til å stille vår hunger!
OTB
Andre sa: “Vi pantsetter våre marker, våre vingårder og våre hjem for å skaffe korn på grunn av hungersnøden.”
B1930
Andre sa: Våre marker og vingårder og hus må vi sette i pant; la oss få korn til å stille vår hunger!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Leviticus 25:35–39

    And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee.

    Read in context

  • Malachi 3:8–11

    Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

    Read in context

  • Deuteronomy 15:7

    If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother:

    Read in context

  • Genesis 47:15–25

    And when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, Give us bread: for why should we die in thy presence? for the money faileth.

    Read in context