Nehemiah 5:4 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

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

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

Others said, 'We've had to borrow money to pay the taxes we owe the king, and we've used our lands and vineyards as security for these loans.'

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

These people are explaining that they've had to mortgage their property just to pay their taxes to the Persian king.

📚 Historical Context

This was during the Persian period when the Jews had returned from exile to rebuild Jerusalem. The Persian Empire required heavy tribute payments from all its provinces, including Judah. Many Jewish families were struggling financially under this tax burden while also trying to rebuild their homes and livelihoods after decades in exile.

Explore Similar Verses

Psalms 80:15

Protect the vineyard that your own hand planted, and the branch that you made strong for yourself.

Song Of Solomon 2:15

Catch the foxes for us—the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, because our vines have delicate young grapes.

1 Chronicles 27:27

Shimei from Ramah was in charge of the vineyards, and Zabdi from Shiphmah was in charge of the grape harvest and wine production for the wine storage areas.

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