"There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute, {and that upon} our lands and vineyards." — Nehemiah 5:4

Nehemiah 5:4 · KJV

“There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute, {and that upon} our lands and vineyards.”

— Nehemiah 5:4

{Some} also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth.

Verse 5

Yet now our flesh {is} as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and {some} of our daughters are brought unto bondage {already}: neither {is it} in our power {to redeem them}; for other men have our lands and vineyards.

Nehemiah 5 — Context

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.

{Some} also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth.

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

And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.

Cross References

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. {pay: Chaldee, give} {revenue: or, strength}

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.

Ezra 7:24

Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.

Deuteronomy 28:47-48

Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all {things};

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.

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.

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.