Nehemiah 5:3

Modern

Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our homes to get grain during the famine.”

Traditional

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

Literal

And there were those who said, “Our lands and vineyards and houses we have mortgaged, that we might buy grain during the famine.”

Latin

Et erant qui dicerent: Agros nostros, et vineas, et domus nostras opponamus, et accipiamus frumentum in fame.

Hebrew

English

Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our homes to get grain during the famine.”

Some small landowners had mortgaged everything to survive. The famine worsened the problem because grain was scarce and food prices naturally rose.

Severe financial problems almost stopped the wall's completion (Nehemiah 5:1–5), but Nehemiah found a solution (5:6–13).

Theme notes and profiles

Leviticus 25:35–39
Now if your countryman becomes destitute and cannot support himself among you, then you are to help him as you would a foreigner or stranger, so that he can continue to live among you.
Malachi 3:8–11
Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you ask, ‘How do we rob You?’ In tithes and offerings.
Genesis 47:15–25
When the money from the lands of Egypt and Canaan was gone, all the Egyptians came to Joseph and said, “Give us food. Why should we die before your eyes? For our funds have run out!”
Deuteronomy 15:7
If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, then you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother.