Nehemiah 5:4

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

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}.

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

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

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

Nehemiah 5:4 KJV provides a stark glimpse into the severe economic distress faced by the Jewish community during the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls under Nehemiah's leadership. This verse is part of a larger complaint from the people, revealing the depth of their suffering.

Context and Historical Setting

The time is post-exilic Judah, likely around 444 BC, during the Persian Empire's rule. The Jewish people, having returned from Babylonian exile, were struggling to re-establish themselves and rebuild their capital. While laboring on the monumental task of restoring the city walls, they were also subject to heavy taxation by the Persian king. Nehemiah 5 details a crisis where many families, facing famine and high taxes, had fallen into deep debt. This specific verse highlights that some had to mortgage their valuable lands and vineyards, their primary source of livelihood and inheritance, simply to meet the demands of the "king's tribute" or imperial taxes.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Economic Burden: The verse underscores the immense financial pressure on the common people. The "king's tribute" was a non-negotiable obligation, and failure to pay could have severe consequences.
  • Vulnerability and Debt: It illustrates the vulnerability of the poor who, lacking liquid assets, were forced to borrow against their most precious possessions. This led to a cycle of debt, as also seen in Nehemiah 5:5, where some even resorted to selling their children into slavery.
  • Social Injustice (Implied): While this verse directly states the borrowing for tribute, the broader context of Nehemiah chapter 5 reveals that much of this borrowing was from wealthier Jewish compatriots who were charging exorbitant interest rates, which was forbidden by Mosaic Law (Exodus 22:25, Deuteronomy 23:19). This highlights a deep-seated problem of economic exploitation within the community.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "king's tribute" (Hebrew: מִדַּת הַמֶּלֶךְ, middath hammelekh) refers to the fixed taxes or levies imposed by the Persian monarchy. It was a regular, mandatory payment that served as a significant financial strain on the provinces, including Judah. The use of "lands and vineyards" (Hebrew: שָׂדוֹתֵינוּ וְכַרְמֵינוּ, sadoteinu v'kharmeinu) emphasizes that the people were mortgaging their most fundamental assets, indicating a desperate situation rather than mere inconvenience.

Practical Application and Reflection

Nehemiah 5:4 serves as a powerful reminder of the lasting impact of economic hardship and social injustice. For believers today, it prompts reflection on:

  1. Compassion for the Indebted: The struggles of those burdened by debt and financial insecurity are a timeless concern. The Church and individuals are called to show compassion and seek solutions for those facing similar distress.
  2. Ethical Financial Practices: The abuses of lending in Nehemiah's time underscore the importance of ethical financial dealings, especially within the community of faith. Predatory lending and exploitation are contrary to biblical principles of generosity and justice.
  3. Leadership and Advocacy: Nehemiah's subsequent actions (Nehemiah 5:6-13) demonstrate the responsibility of leaders to address systemic injustices and protect the vulnerable within their communities.

This verse, though brief, paints a vivid picture of the challenges faced by the returning exiles and sets the stage for Nehemiah's decisive intervention to restore social equity among his people.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back