Nehemiah 5:2

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.

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}.

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."

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

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

Commentary

Nehemiah 5:2 captures the desperate cry of the Jewish people during the critical period of rebuilding Jerusalem's walls under Nehemiah's leadership. This verse lays bare the profound economic hardship and social distress plaguing the community, revealing a fundamental struggle for survival.

Context

This verse is part of a broader complaint detailed in Nehemiah chapter 5, where the people articulate their grievances to Nehemiah. While engaged in the arduous task of restoring the city's defenses, the populace faced severe internal challenges. They were burdened by heavy taxes, famine, and exploitative practices by their own countrymen. Verse 2 specifically highlights the primary concern: a lack of basic food (referred to as "corn," meaning grain like wheat or barley), exacerbated by the responsibility of feeding large families. This economic crisis threatened not only their physical survival but also the unity and progress of the rebuilding effort. The situation sets the stage for Nehemiah's swift and decisive intervention against social injustice, as seen in his confrontation with the nobles and rulers.

Key Themes

  • Dire Poverty and Hunger: The core issue is the immediate threat of starvation, forcing families to "take up corn" – to borrow or mortgage their assets, even their children, just to acquire food. This speaks to an extreme level of destitution.
  • Family Burden: The phrase "We, our sons, and our daughters, are many" emphasizes that large families, while a blessing, also amplified the demand for provisions in a time of scarcity, making their plight even more acute.
  • Struggle for Survival: The ultimate goal stated, "that we may eat, and live," underscores the fundamental human need for sustenance and the desperate measures people resort to when their very existence is at stake.
  • Social Injustice: Though not explicitly stated in this verse, it serves as the foundation for the outcry against the wealthy who were charging exorbitant interest and exploiting the poor, a theme central to Nehemiah's subsequent reforms.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV term "corn" here refers to grain in general, such as wheat or barley, which was the staple food of the ancient Near East, not specifically maize (which was unknown in the Old World at this time). The phrase "take up corn" implies obtaining grain through borrowing, often at high interest, or by mortgaging land or even personal liberty, indicating the severity of their economic bind.

Practical Application

Nehemiah 5:2 remains profoundly relevant today, speaking to the enduring challenges of poverty, food insecurity, and economic inequality. It reminds us of the desperate situations people face when basic needs are unmet and highlights the potential for exploitation within communities. The verse calls believers to empathy for those struggling with hunger and financial distress, echoing biblical principles of justice and care for the vulnerable (Deuteronomy 15:7-8). It also serves as a powerful reminder for leaders to address systemic issues that perpetuate poverty and to champion policies that ensure equitable access to resources for all members of society.

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Cross-References

  • Psalms 128:2 (3 votes)

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

  • Psalms 128:4 (3 votes)

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

  • Malachi 2:2 (3 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

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

  • Psalms 127:5 (2 votes)

    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.