Nehemiah 5:2

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

For there were {H3426} that said {H559}, We, our sons {H1121}, and our daughters {H1323}, are many {H7227}: therefore we take up {H3947} corn {H1715} for them, that we may eat {H398}, and live {H2421}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Some of them said, "Counting our sons and daughters, there are a lot of us! Allow us to get grain for them, so that we can eat and stay alive."

Berean Standard Bible

Some were saying, “We and our sons and daughters are numerous. We must get grain in order to eat and stay alive.”

American Standard Version

For there were that said, We, our sons and our daughters, are many: let us get grain, that we may eat and live.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 5:2 vividly portrays the desperate plight of the Jewish community in Jerusalem during the arduous task of rebuilding the city walls. This verse articulates the raw cry of families overwhelmed by the burden of their numbers and the crushing reality of food scarcity. It exposes a profound economic crisis where basic sustenance was a daily struggle, forcing people into debt and even servitude to acquire grain, thus laying bare the social and economic injustices that threatened to derail the entire restoration effort and the very survival of the returnees.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 5 opens with a stark interruption to the narrative of wall-building, shifting focus from external threats to internal strife. Verses 1-5 detail a "great outcry" from various segments of the Jewish populace against their wealthier countrymen. This lament is not merely a grumble but a desperate appeal, highlighting three primary grievances: lack of food (v. 2), mortgaging of property (v. 3), and enslavement of children due to debt and taxes (v. 4). Nehemiah 5:2 specifically introduces the most immediate and visceral concern: sheer hunger. This complaint serves as the catalyst for Nehemiah's righteous indignation and his subsequent decisive actions to address the systemic exploitation, culminating in his confrontation with the nobles and rulers in [Nehemiah 5:7](/nehemiah/5-7 "Nehemiah 5:7 - Nehemiah Confronts the Nobles and Rulers") and his call for restitution in [Nehemiah 5:11](/nehemiah/5-11 "Nehemiah 5:11 - Nehemiah's Call for Restitution"). The passage underscores that spiritual and physical rebuilding must go hand-in-hand with social justice and internal integrity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Nehemiah 5 unfold in Jerusalem around 445 BC, during the post-exilic period under Persian rule. The returning exiles faced immense challenges: a ruined city, hostile neighbors, and the immense labor of reconstruction. Economically, the region was vulnerable to famine, often caused by drought or poor harvests, which could quickly plunge a subsistence-based society into crisis. Furthermore, the Persian Empire levied taxes, adding to the financial burden. Jewish law (Torah) had provisions against usury (charging interest on loans to fellow Israelites) and for the release of debts and slaves (e.g., [Deuteronomy 15:1-11](/deuteronomy/15 "Deuteronomy 15 - Laws of the Sabbatical Year and Lending")), but these laws were often disregarded in practice. The wealthy elite, seizing on the desperation of their impoverished brethren, exploited their need by charging exorbitant interest rates on grain loans, leading to the loss of land, vineyards, and even the enslavement of children. This cultural backdrop of economic vulnerability, coupled with the violation of covenantal ethics, sets the stage for the deep distress expressed in Nehemiah 5:2.
* **Key Themes:** Nehemiah 5:2 introduces several critical themes that resonate throughout the book and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Poverty and Food Insecurity**, underscoring the fundamental human struggle for survival when basic needs are unmet. The "many" mouths to feed amplify this dire situation, emphasizing the burden on large families in times of scarcity. Secondly, it lays the groundwork for the theme of **Social Injustice and Exploitation**. While not explicitly stating the oppressors, the verse's cry for food obtained through desperate means ("take up corn") implicitly points to the exploitative practices that forced people into such binds, a theme fully developed in Nehemiah's subsequent actions against usury and debt slavery (e.g., [Nehemiah 5:6-13](/nehemiah/5-6 "Nehemiah 5:6-13 - Nehemiah's Response to Injustice")). Thirdly, it touches upon **Community Solidarity and Leadership Responsibility**. The crisis revealed in this verse demands a leader who prioritizes the well-being of the people over personal gain or the completion of the physical project alone. Nehemiah's righteous anger and decisive intervention (as seen in [Nehemiah 5:7-13](/nehemiah/5-7 "Nehemiah 5:7-13 - Nehemiah's Confrontation and Reform")) exemplify a leadership deeply committed to justice and the flourishing of God's people, even when it means confronting internal corruption.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Corn (Hebrew, _dâgân'_):** The King James Version's "corn" here refers to grain in general, specifically wheat or barley, which were the staple food crops of the ancient Near East. It does not refer to maize (corn as known in the Americas), which was unknown in the Old World at this time. This term signifies the most basic form of sustenance, highlighting that the people's struggle was not for luxuries but for the very means of survival. The scarcity of this fundamental commodity indicates a severe famine or extreme economic hardship that made even basic food inaccessible without resorting to desperate measures.
* **Many (Hebrew, _rab'_):** This word signifies abundance in quantity or number. In the context of "We, our sons, and our daughters, are many," it highlights the demographic reality of large families. While traditionally seen as a blessing and a sign of prosperity in ancient Israel, in times of scarcity, a large family became an immense burden. Each additional child represented another mouth to feed, amplifying the pressure on already meager resources and exacerbating the family's financial distress, pushing them further into desperation.
* **Take up (Hebrew, _lâqach'_):** This primitive root means "to take" in a wide variety of applications, including to buy, fetch, or receive. In this context, "we take up corn" implies the act of acquiring grain, often through borrowing or mortgaging. It suggests that the people were forced to obtain this essential commodity by incurring debt, which frequently involved pledging land, vineyards, or even the personal liberty of family members as collateral. This phrase captures the desperate measures the people were forced to undertake, indicating they had exhausted all other options and were now resorting to arrangements that would further entangle them in debt and potential servitude.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For there were that said":** This introductory phrase immediately signals that the verse records a direct complaint or outcry from a segment of the population. It emphasizes the collective voice of distress, indicating that this was not an isolated incident but a widespread grievance among the common people, likely those who were poorer and more vulnerable. It sets the stage for the raw, unvarnished expression of their suffering.
* **"We, our sons, and our daughters, are many":** This clause articulates the core problem from the perspective of the suffering families. The phrase "are many" highlights the demographic reality of large families, which, while often seen as a blessing and a sign of prosperity in ancient Israel, became an immense burden during times of scarcity. Each child represented another mouth to feed, amplifying the pressure on already meager resources and exacerbating the family's financial distress, making their situation even more dire.
* **"therefore we take up corn [for them], that we may eat, and live":** This final clause reveals the desperate action taken and its ultimate purpose. "Therefore we take up corn" directly links their large families and lack of resources to the necessity of acquiring grain, often through debt or mortgaging. The phrase "that we may eat, and live" underscores the fundamental, existential nature of their struggle. It was not about comfort or prosperity, but about bare survival—to simply have enough food to sustain life. This highlights the severity of the crisis, where the very existence of families was at stake, forcing them into arrangements that threatened their freedom and future.

#### Literary Devices
Nehemiah 5:2 employs several literary devices to convey the profound distress of the people. The most prominent is **Pathos**, as the verse evokes deep sympathy for the suffering community. The direct, unadorned statement of their plight—"We, our sons, and our daughters, are many: therefore we take up corn [for them], that we may eat, and live"—is a powerful appeal to emotion, highlighting their vulnerability and the existential threat they faced. The mention of "sons, and our daughters" uses **Synecdoche**, where a part (children) represents the whole (the entire dependent family unit), emphasizing the specific burden of feeding the most vulnerable members. Furthermore, the simple, direct language serves as a form of **Understatement** regarding the full extent of their suffering; the "taking up corn" implicitly points to the far more complex and oppressive system of debt and potential servitude that is elaborated in subsequent verses. The verse functions as a **Cry of Lament**, a common biblical form expressing deep sorrow and distress, setting the tone for Nehemiah's indignant response and foreshadowing the deeper issues of social injustice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 5:2 serves as a poignant reminder of God's enduring concern for the poor and the vulnerable, a theme woven throughout the biblical narrative. The distress of the people in Jerusalem underscores the theological principle that true worship and community flourishing are inseparable from social justice. God's covenant with Israel included explicit commands to care for the poor, the widow, and the orphan, and to prohibit exploitative practices like usury. The outcry in this verse highlights the painful reality when God's people fail to live up to these covenantal obligations, leading to internal oppression even amidst a grand spiritual project like rebuilding the temple and walls. It challenges believers to consider how economic disparities and food insecurity within their own communities reflect or contradict God's heart for justice and compassion. The verse implicitly calls for a just economic order where basic needs are met and exploitation is condemned, echoing the prophetic tradition that consistently linked righteousness with care for the marginalized.

* [Deuteronomy 15:7-8](/deuteronomy/15-7 "Deuteronomy 15:7-8 - Lending to the Poor")
* [Proverbs 28:27](/proverbs/28-27 "Proverbs 28:27 - Giving to the Poor")
* [Amos 8:4-6](/amos/8-4 "Amos 8:4-6 - Oppression of the Poor")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Nehemiah 5:2 offers a timeless mirror for reflection on the human condition and the responsibilities of faith communities. It compels us to look beyond grand spiritual projects and consider the immediate, tangible needs of those around us. The cry for "corn... that we may eat, and live" is a universal plea for basic sustenance that resonates deeply in a world still grappling with widespread poverty and food insecurity. This verse challenges us to cultivate empathy for those trapped in cycles of debt and destitution, recognizing that their struggle for survival can be as consuming as any external threat. It calls us to examine our own economic systems and personal practices, asking if we are contributing to justice or inadvertently perpetuating exploitation. For leaders, it serves as a powerful reminder that true leadership involves not only vision and execution but also a profound commitment to the well-being and equitable treatment of all members of the community, even if it means confronting uncomfortable truths and challenging established norms. Our faith should move us to action, advocating for and participating in efforts that ensure everyone has access to the basic necessities of life, reflecting God's heart for justice and compassion for the vulnerable.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the desperate cry in Nehemiah 5:2 challenge my understanding of "spiritual" work versus "social" work in the church today?**
* **In what ways might economic pressures or systemic injustices within my own community hinder people's ability to "eat, and live" or participate fully in community life?**
* **What practical steps can I, or my community, take to address issues of food insecurity or economic vulnerability, reflecting the compassion shown by Nehemiah?**

### FAQ

**What does "corn" mean in Nehemiah 5:2, and why was it so vital?**

Answer: In the King James Version, "corn" refers to grain in general, such as wheat or barley, which were the primary staple foods in the ancient Near East. It is not maize (the corn we know today), which was unknown in that part of the world at the time. Grain was vital because it was the fundamental source of nutrition, providing the calories and sustenance necessary for survival. Without access to "corn," families faced starvation, which is why the people's desperate cry in [Nehemiah 5:2](/nehemiah/5-2 "Nehemiah 5:2 - The People's Cry for Food") highlights their struggle to simply "eat, and live." Their inability to secure this basic commodity without going into debt or mortgaging their assets indicated a severe economic crisis, likely exacerbated by famine, heavy taxes, and exploitative lending practices.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Nehemiah 5:2, with its raw depiction of human desperation for basic sustenance and justice, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The cries of the hungry and oppressed in Nehemiah's day echo through the centuries, ultimately pointing to the one who perfectly embodies God's heart for the poor and marginalized. Jesus, the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), came not only to address spiritual poverty but also to identify with and minister to the physically destitute. His ministry was characterized by compassion for the hungry, as seen in His miraculous feedings of the multitudes (e.g., [Matthew 14:13-21](/matthew/14-13 "Matthew 14:13-21 - Feeding the Five Thousand")). He taught extensively about economic justice and the dangers of wealth accumulation at the expense of the poor, famously stating that it is harder for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle ([Matthew 19:23-24](/matthew/19-23 "Matthew 19:23-24 - The Rich Young Ruler and Wealth")). Moreover, Jesus Himself became the ultimate "bread of life," offering eternal sustenance that transcends physical hunger ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). The systemic injustice that forced families to "take up corn" foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, who, though rich, became poor for our sake, that we through His poverty might become rich ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Example of Giving")). He is the one who truly takes away the sin of the world, including the sin of exploitation and indifference, and promises a future where hunger and injustice will be no more ([Revelation 7:16](/revelation/7-16 "Revelation 7:16 - No More Hunger or Thirst in Heaven")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 128:2

For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy [shalt] thou [be], and [it shall be] well with thee.

Psalms 128:4

Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.

Malachi 2:2

If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay [it] to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay [it] to heart.

Genesis 43:8

And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, [and] also our little ones.

Genesis 41:57

And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy [corn]; because that the famine was [so] sore in all lands.

Psalms 127:3

Lo, children [are] an heritage of the LORD: [and] the fruit of the womb [is his] reward.

Psalms 127:5

Happy [is] the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.