51 Now there was a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish brothers . 2 For there were those who said , "We, our sons and our daughters are many ; therefore let us get grain that we may eat and live ." 3 There were others who said , "We are mortgaging our fields , our vineyards and our houses that we might get grain because of the famine ." 4 Also there were those who said , "We have borrowed money for the king's tax on our fields and our vineyards . 5 "Now our flesh is like the flesh of our brothers , our children like their children . Yet behold , we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves , and some of our daughters are forced into bondage already, and we are helpless e e because our fields and vineyards belong to others ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Nehemiah 5:1-5
Commentary on Nehemiah 5:1-5
(Read Nehemiah 5:1-5)
Men prey upon their fellow-creatures: by despising the poor they reproach their Maker. Such conduct is a disgrace to any, but who can sufficiently abhor it when adopted by professing Christians? With compassion for the oppressed, we should lament the hardships which many in the world are groaning under; putting our souls into their souls' stead, and remembering in our prayers and succours those who are burdened. But let those who show no mercy, expect judgment without mercy.