Nehemiah 5:5

"There were also some who said, “We have borrowed money for the king’s tribute using our fields and our vineyards as collateral."

Key Reflection

This verse highlights the economic struggles faced by the Israelites returning from exile. By pledging their fields and vineyards as collateral, they were forced into a vulnerable financial position, demonstrating the hardship and debt that plagued their community even as they sought to rebuild and follow God's commandments.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

The power of a father to sell his daughter into slavery is expressly mentioned in the LawExodus 21:7. The power to sell a son appears from this passage. In either case, the sale held good for only six years, or until the next year of jubilee (see the marginal references).

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