Nehemiah 5:4

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

There were {H3426} also that said {H559}, We have borrowed {H3867} money {H3701} for the king's {H4428} tribute {H4060}, and that upon our lands {H7704} and vineyards {H3754}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yet others said, "We have borrowed money for the king's taxes against our fields and vineyards.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 5:4 captures a profound moment of economic distress among the Jewish returnees in post-exilic Judah, articulating the desperate plight of those forced to borrow money, leveraging their ancestral lands and vineyards as collateral, solely to meet the mandatory tribute demanded by the Persian king. This verse is a crucial part of a larger outcry from the community, exposing the severe financial strain and social injustices that threatened to destabilize the nascent society and impede the vital work of rebuilding Jerusalem's walls.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 5:4 is situated within a pivotal section of the book (Nehemiah 5:1-19) that abruptly shifts focus from the external opposition faced by the wall-builders (Nehemiah 4) to a severe internal crisis. The verse follows the initial complaints regarding famine and the mortgaging of homes (Nehemiah 5:2-3), intensifying the narrative by revealing that even the most sacred assets—lands and vineyards—were being pledged. It immediately precedes the most harrowing revelation: the selling of children into slavery to repay debts (Nehemiah 5:5). This escalating sequence of grievances highlights the systemic nature of the exploitation and sets the urgent stage for Nehemiah's decisive and righteous intervention. The complaints are presented as direct speech, lending an authentic and immediate voice to the suffering people, underscoring the profound threat posed by internal injustice to the community's unity and the rebuilding effort.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Nehemiah 5 unfold around 444 BC, during the reign of Artaxerxes I, when Judah was a province within the vast Achaemenid Persian Empire. The Jewish exiles, having returned to a land largely desolate, faced the monumental task of rebuilding their capital and re-establishing their society. This period was marked by economic fragility, often exacerbated by poor harvests, limited resources, and the pervasive burden of imperial taxation. The "king's tribute" was a non-negotiable annual tax levied by Persian authorities on all their provinces, a substantial financial drain on a struggling populace. Culturally, land was more than mere property; it was a sacred inheritance, intrinsically linked to tribal identity, covenantal promises (as outlined in [Numbers 26:52-56](/numbers/26-52-56 "Numbers 26:52-56 - Inheritance of Land")), and the family's future. Mortgaging or losing one's land was therefore a profound act of desperation, threatening not only economic ruin but also social standing and the very continuity of the family line. Furthermore, the Mosaic Law contained strict prohibitions against charging interest to fellow Israelites, particularly the poor, emphasizing communal responsibility and compassion (see [Exodus 22:25](/exodus/22-25 "Exodus 22:25 - Lending to the Poor") and [Deuteronomy 23:19-20](/deuteronomy/23-19-20 "Deuteronomy 23:19-20 - Prohibition of Usury")).
* **Key Themes:** Nehemiah 5:4 significantly contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Nehemiah and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it starkly reveals the theme of **economic injustice and exploitation**, demonstrating how internal oppression can be as debilitating as external threats, eroding the very foundation of communal life. This verse specifically highlights the immense **burden of imperial taxation** and its role in driving vulnerable citizens into crippling debt. Secondly, it underscores the profound **vulnerability of the poor** and the desperate measures they were compelled to undertake for survival, including mortgaging their most valuable assets—their land and vineyards, which represented their livelihood, heritage, and future. This situation brings to the forefront the theme of **social responsibility**, challenging the ethical conduct of the wealthier Jews who profited from their compatriots' distress. Ultimately, the complaints initiated by this verse and those surrounding it set the stage for the powerful theme of **righteous leadership**, exemplified by Nehemiah, who confronts systemic injustice and champions the cause of the oppressed, reflecting God's unwavering concern for the marginalized (as echoed in [Psalm 82:3-4](/psalms/82-3-4 "Psalm 82:3-4 - Defend the Poor and Needy")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Borrowed (Hebrew, _lâvâh'_):** This verb (H3867) fundamentally means "to twine" or "to unite," but in its causative (Hiphil) stem, it signifies "to borrow" or "to lend." Here, it denotes the act of taking a loan, emphasizing the state of indebtedness the people were forced into. The context implies a desperate, rather than casual, act of borrowing, likely from wealthier compatriots, to meet a non-negotiable obligation. The underlying sense of "twining" or "uniting" subtly highlights the binding nature of the debt, tying the borrower to the lender in a restrictive relationship.
* **Money (Hebrew, _keçeph'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to be pale" (H3701), this term refers to "silver" and, by implication, "money." In the ancient world, silver was the primary medium of exchange. The mention of "money" here specifies the form of the loan, indicating that the people needed liquid assets to pay the tribute, which was likely demanded in silver or its equivalent. This highlights the practical economic pressure they faced, as they lacked the necessary currency.
* **King's tribute (Hebrew, _middâh_ _melek'_):** This phrase combines _middâh_ (H4060), meaning "measure" or "fixed portion," and _melek_ (H4428), "king." Together, they refer to the fixed, compulsory tax or levy imposed by the Persian monarch on his provinces. This was not a voluntary contribution but a mandatory imperial tax, failure of which carried severe penalties. The term _middâh_ underscores the precise and unavoidable nature of the payment, a burden that necessitated desperate measures from the populace.
* **Lands and vineyards (Hebrew, _sâdeh_ _kerem'_):** These terms refer to agricultural fields (_sâdeh_, H7704) and grape-producing areas (_kerem_, H3754), which were the bedrock of livelihood and wealth in ancient Israel. More than mere property, land was an ancestral inheritance, a symbol of covenantal blessing, security, and identity. Mortgaging "lands and vineyards" signifies an extreme level of financial distress, as it meant jeopardizing the family's long-term economic security, their very sustenance, and their connection to their heritage in the promised land.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"There were also that said,"**: This introductory clause signals the continuation of the grievances, indicating that the economic hardship was widespread and affecting various segments of the community. It presents the people's complaints as direct speech, lending authenticity and urgency to their desperate situation and underscoring the collective nature of the crisis.
* **"We have borrowed money for the king's tribute,"**: This clause specifies the immediate and compelling reason for their indebtedness: the necessity of paying the imperial tax. It highlights that the borrowing was not for luxury or investment, but for a non-negotiable, external obligation, thereby emphasizing the severe financial pressure exerted by the Persian administration on the struggling Jewish community.
* **"[and that upon] our lands and vineyards."**: This concluding clause reveals the devastating collateral used for these loans. The phrase "upon our lands and vineyards" signifies that their most valuable and foundational assets—their inherited agricultural property—had been pledged or mortgaged. This act was a desperate measure, threatening their long-term economic stability, their family's future, and their very connection to the land promised by God.

#### Literary Devices
Nehemiah 5:4 effectively employs several literary devices to underscore the gravity and widespread nature of the economic crisis. The most prominent device is **Direct Speech**, as the verse explicitly quotes the words of the complaining people. This technique immediately immerses the reader in the raw emotion and desperate reality of the moment, making the suffering palpable and authentic. The specific mention of "lands and vineyards" as collateral serves as powerful **Symbolism**. These assets represent not merely economic value but also ancestral heritage, covenantal identity, and the very foundation of a family's future and connection to the promised land. Their mortgaging thus symbolizes the erosion of the community's stability and its threatened future. Furthermore, the verse contributes significantly to the overall **Pathos** of the chapter, evoking strong feelings of pity, empathy, and concern for the plight of the struggling population. This pathos is crucial for understanding Nehemiah's subsequent righteous indignation and decisive action, highlighting the moral urgency of addressing such systemic injustice within the community.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 5:4 powerfully illustrates the profound biblical concern for economic justice and the plight of the poor. It underscores the theological truth that genuine community and authentic worship cannot truly flourish where internal exploitation and oppression are rampant. The desperate act of mortgaging ancestral lands for tribute reveals a severe breakdown in the social fabric, where the vulnerable are preyed upon by their own brethren. This situation stands in stark contrast to God's covenantal laws, which consistently advocate for the protection of the poor, the prohibition of usury among fellow Israelites, and the preservation of family inheritance. The theological message is clear: God's people are called to demonstrate righteousness and compassion in their economic dealings, reflecting His character of justice and mercy, rather than succumbing to greed and exploitation.

* [Exodus 22:25](/exodus/22-25 "Exodus 22:25 - Lending to the Poor Without Interest")
* [Leviticus 25:35-37](/leviticus/25-35-37 "Leviticus 25:35-37 - Lending to the Poor")
* [Proverbs 22:7](/proverbs/22-7 "Proverbs 22:7 - The Borrower is Servant to the Lender")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Nehemiah 5:4 serves as a timeless mirror, reflecting the enduring challenges of economic hardship and social injustice, even within a community striving for spiritual renewal and rebuilding. For believers today, this verse prompts profound reflection on our own financial practices, our consumption habits, and our collective responsibility towards the vulnerable within and beyond our immediate communities. It challenges us to honestly consider whether our pursuit of personal gain, comfort, or security inadvertently contributes to the burdens of others, especially those struggling to meet basic needs or unavoidable societal obligations. The desperation of the people in Nehemiah's time—forced to mortgage their very future for immediate survival—should ignite our compassion and provoke us to critically examine systems and attitudes that perpetuate cycles of debt, poverty, and inequality. It calls the Church to be a beacon of ethical financial conduct, advocating for justice, practicing radical generosity, and offering tangible support and systemic solutions to those in economic distress, rather than exploiting their vulnerability or passively observing their plight.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the desperation described in Nehemiah 5:4 challenge my understanding of wealth, poverty, and justice in today's globalized society?**
* **In what specific ways might I, or the communities I belong to, inadvertently contribute to or overlook economic pressures and injustices faced by others?**
* **What practical and actionable steps can I take to advocate for or tangibly support those burdened by debt and financial insecurity, reflecting God's profound concern for the marginalized?**
* **How does the biblical prohibition against usury and the emphasis on land as inheritance inform my perspective on modern lending practices, economic policies, and financial ethics?**

### FAQ
**What was the "king's tribute" and why was it so burdensome for the Jewish community?**

Answer: The "king's tribute" (Hebrew: מִדַּת הַמֶּלֶךְ, _middath hammelekh_) refers to the mandatory annual tax imposed by the Persian Empire on its provinces, including Judah. It was a fixed levy, often demanded in silver, goods, or labor, which funded the vast imperial administration, military campaigns, and infrastructure projects across the empire. For the Jewish community in post-exilic Judah, who were still rebuilding their land and economy after generations of exile, this tribute was an immense and constant financial strain. Poor harvests, lack of liquid assets, and the general economic fragility of the region meant that many struggled desperately to meet this obligation. Failure to pay could result in severe penalties, including enslavement, which drove many into debt, as highlighted in the broader context of [Nehemiah 5:3-5](/nehemiah/5-3-5 "Nehemiah 5:3-5 - The People's Cry of Distress").

**Why was mortgaging "lands and vineyards" considered such a desperate and significant act in ancient Israel?**

Answer: In ancient Israel, land was far more than a mere commodity; it was a sacred inheritance, a tangible sign of God's covenant with His people and their identity as part of a specific tribe and family. The Mosaic Law included provisions to ensure that land remained within families and was not permanently alienated, such as the laws concerning the Year of Jubilee and redemption (e.g., [Leviticus 25:23-28](/leviticus/25-23-28 "Leviticus 25:23-28 - Land Redemption and Jubilee")). "Lands and vineyards" represented a family's primary source of sustenance, wealth, and future security. To mortgage or lose them meant jeopardizing one's livelihood, social standing, and fundamental connection to their ancestral heritage and the promises of God. It indicated an extreme level of financial distress, where people were forced to sacrifice their long-term well-being and generational legacy for immediate survival, a dire situation explicitly detailed in [Nehemiah 5:3-5](/nehemiah/5-3-5 "Nehemiah 5:3-5 - The People's Cry of Distress").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Nehemiah 5:4, with its stark depiction of economic oppression, the burden of debt, and the loss of ancestral inheritance, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus. While the immediate context is financial debt, it powerfully foreshadows the ultimate spiritual debt of humanity—sin—a debt we could never repay on our own. Just as the people in Nehemiah's day were enslaved by their economic circumstances, humanity is enslaved by sin, a bondage from which we cannot free ourselves (as described in [Romans 6:6](/romans/6-6 "Romans 6:6 - Enslaved to Sin")). Jesus, the true Nehemiah, came not only to rebuild spiritual walls but to liberate all those oppressed by every form of bondage, proclaiming good news to the poor and freedom for the prisoners (a mission statement beautifully articulated in [Luke 4:18-19](/luke/4-18-19 "Luke 4:18-19 - Jesus' Mission Statement")). He did not merely address the symptoms of poverty but challenged the very systems of injustice and greed that perpetuate it, as evidenced in His teachings on money and possessions ([Matthew 6:24](/matthew/6-24 "Matthew 6:24 - Serving God and Money")) and His profound compassion for the marginalized. Ultimately, Christ's sacrificial death on the cross became the ultimate payment for our spiritual debt, canceling the record of our sin that stood against us ([Colossians 2:13-14](/colossians/2-13-14 "Colossians 2:13-14 - Forgiveness and Cancellation of Debt")). He, being infinitely rich, willingly became poor for our sake, so that through His poverty we might become spiritually rich ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Example of Generosity")), offering a freedom far greater than any economic release—freedom from the eternal consequences of sin and the promise of an incorruptible, imperishable inheritance in glory ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Incorruptible Inheritance")).

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

Ezra 4:13

Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up [again, then] will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and [so] thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings.

Ezra 4:20

There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all [countries] beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them.

Deuteronomy 28:47

Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all [things];

Deuteronomy 28:48

Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all [things]: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee.

Nehemiah 9:37

And it yieldeth much increase unto the kings whom thou hast set over us because of our sins: also they have dominion over our bodies, and over our cattle, at their pleasure, and we [are] in great distress.

Joshua 16:10

And they drave not out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer: but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites unto this day, and serve under tribute.

1 Kings 9:21

Their children that were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel also were not able utterly to destroy, upon those did Solomon levy a tribute of bondservice unto this day.