Nehemiah 5:4

Modern

Still others were saying, “We have borrowed money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards.

Traditional

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

Literal

And there were those who said, “We have borrowed silver for the tribute of the king on our fields and our vineyards.

Latin

Et alii dicebant: Mutuo sumamus pecunias in tributa regis, demusque agros nostros et vineas:

Hebrew

English

Still others were saying, “We have borrowed money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards.

pay the king’s tax: Despite the famine, the Persians did not cancel the heavy royal taxes due at harvest time.

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

Ezra 4:13
Let it now be known to the king that if that city is rebuilt and its walls are restored, they will not pay tribute, duty, or toll, and the royal treasury will suffer.
Ezra 4:20
And mighty kings have ruled over Jerusalem and exercised authority over the whole region west of the Euphrates; and tribute, duty, and toll were paid to them.
Nehemiah 9:37
Its abundant harvest goes to the kings You have set over us because of our sins. And they rule over our bodies and our livestock as they please. We are in great distress.
Deuteronomy 28:47–48
Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joy and gladness of heart in all your abundance,
Joshua 16:10
But they did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer. So the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites to this day, but they are forced laborers.
1 Kings 9:21
…their descendants who remained in the land, those whom the Israelites were unable to devote to destruction—Solomon conscripted these people to be forced laborers, as they are to this day.
Ezra 7:24
And be advised that you have no authority to impose tribute, duty, or toll on any of the priests, Levites, singers, doorkeepers, temple servants, or other servants of this house of God.