There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king’s tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards.
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.'
These people are explaining that they've had to mortgage their property just to pay their taxes to the Persian king.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Nehemiah, which describes the efforts to rebuild Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile, the Jewish people were living under Persian rule and faced heavy financial demands from the king. This verse highlights how some individuals had to borrow money to pay the required tribute, using their lands and vineyards as collateral, which deepened poverty and social inequality among the community. Nehemiah, as a leader, was addressing these grievances to restore justice and unity.
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