This verse from Nehemiah 5:2 describes a specific problem within the Jewish community that had returned to Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. It highlights the economic hardship and desperation that many faced. Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
"For there were that said...": This introduces a complaint or a grievance being voiced by a segment of the population.
"We, our sons and our daughters, are many.": This emphasizes the large size of their families. Having many mouths to feed was a blessing in some ways, but in this context, it underscored the burden and the scale of their needs.
"Let us get grain, that we may eat and live.": This is the core of the problem. They are pleading for access to grain to feed their families and survive. The phrase "eat and live" highlights the urgency and the basic need for sustenance. They are on the verge of starvation.
In essence, the verse describes families struggling to find enough food (grain) to feed their large families and stay alive. This verse sets the stage for the social and economic injustices that Nehemiah addresses in the rest of the chapter, such as people having to mortgage their land, sell their children into slavery, and pay exorbitant interest rates to survive. It shows the desperate measures people were taking to feed their families in a time of scarcity and hardship.
This verse from Nehemiah 5:2 describes a specific problem within the Jewish community that had returned to Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. It highlights the economic hardship and desperation that many faced. Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
"For there were that said...": This introduces a complaint or a grievance being voiced by a segment of the population.
"We, our sons and our daughters, are many.": This emphasizes the large size of their families. Having many mouths to feed was a blessing in some ways, but in this context, it underscored the burden and the scale of their needs.
"Let us get grain, that we may eat and live.": This is the core of the problem. They are pleading for access to grain to feed their families and survive. The phrase "eat and live" highlights the urgency and the basic need for sustenance. They are on the verge of starvation.
In essence, the verse describes families struggling to find enough food (grain) to feed their large families and stay alive. This verse sets the stage for the social and economic injustices that Nehemiah addresses in the rest of the chapter, such as people having to mortgage their land, sell their children into slavery, and pay exorbitant interest rates to survive. It shows the desperate measures people were taking to feed their families in a time of scarcity and hardship.