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Home › Berean Standard Bible  › Nehemiah 5  › Nehemiah 5:3

Nehemiah 5:3

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Nehemiah 5:3 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our homes to get grain during the famine.”

King James Version KJV

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

American Standard Version ASV

Some also there were that said, We are mortgaging our fields, and our vineyards, and our houses: let us get grain, because of the dearth.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And there were some who said, We are giving our fields and our vine-gardens and our houses for debt: let us get grain because we are in need.

Free Bible Version FBV

Others added, “We've had to mortgage our fields, our vineyards, and our homes to buy food during the famine.”

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And there were that saide, We must gage our landes, and our vineyardes, and our houses, and take vp corne for the famine.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And there are who are saying, 'Our fields, and our vineyards, and our houses, we are pledging, and we receive corn for the famine.'

World English Bible WEB

There were also some who said, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our houses. Let us get grain, because of the famine.”

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And there were some that said: Let us mortgage our lands, and our vineyards, and our houses, and let us take corn because of the famine.

Translation for Translators T4T

Others said, “The fields and vineyards and houses that we own, it has been necessary for us to ◄mortgage them/promise to give them to someone if we do not pay back to him the money he has loaned us► in order to get money to buy grain, during this ◄famine/time where there is not much food►.”

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Nehemiah 5:3

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Nehemiah 5:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וְ/יֵשׁ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֹמְרִ֔ים שְׂדֹתֵ֛י/נוּ וּ/כְרָמֵ֥י/נוּ וּ/בָתֵּ֖י/נוּ אֲנַ֣חְנוּ עֹרְבִ֑ים וְ/נִקְחָ֥ה דָגָ֖ן בָּ/רָעָֽב
וְ/יֵשׁ֙ yêsh H3426 there Conj | Part
אֲשֶׁ֣ר ʼăsher H834 which Rel
אֹמְרִ֔ים ʼâmar H559 to say V-Qal
שְׂדֹתֵ֛י/נוּ sâdeh H7704 field N-mp | Suff
וּ/כְרָמֵ֥י/נוּ kerem H3754 vineyard Conj | N-cp | Suff
וּ/בָתֵּ֖י/נוּ bayith H1004 place Conj | N-mp | Suff
אֲנַ֣חְנוּ ʼănachnûw H587 we Pron
עֹרְבִ֑ים ʻârab H6148 to pledge V-Qal
וְ/נִקְחָ֥ה lâqach H3947 to take Conj | V-Qal-1cp
דָגָ֖ן dâgân H1715 grain N-ms
בָּ/רָעָֽב râʻâb H7458 famine Prep | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

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Hebrew Word Reference — Nehemiah 5:3

וְ/יֵשׁ֙ yêsh H3426 "there" Conj | Part
This Hebrew word means 'there is' or 'there are', used to show existence or being. It appears in various forms, like 'to be' or 'to have'. In the Bible, it's used in Genesis and Psalms to describe God's presence.
Definition: 1) being, existence, substance, there is or are 1a) substance 1b) existence 1c) there is or are Aramaic equivalent: i.tay (אִיתַי "there is" H0383)
Usage: Occurs in 129 OT verses. KJV: (there) are, (he, it, shall, there, there may, there shall, there should) be, thou do, had, hast, (which) hath, (I, shalt, that) have, (he, it, there) is, substance, it (there) was, (there) were, ye will, thou wilt, wouldest. See also: Genesis 18:24; Nehemiah 5:2; Psalms 7:4.
אֲשֶׁ֣ר ʼăsher H834 "which" Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
אֹמְרִ֔ים ʼâmar H559 "to say" V-Qal
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
שְׂדֹתֵ֛י/נוּ sâdeh H7704 "field" N-mp | Suff
A field or land is what this word represents, often referring to a flat area of land used for cultivation or as a habitat for wild animals, as described in the book of Genesis. It can also mean a plain or a country, as opposed to a mountain or sea. This term is used in the story of Ruth and Boaz.
Definition: 1) field, land 1a) cultivated field 1b) of home of wild beasts 1c) plain (opposed to mountain) 1d) land (opposed to sea)
Usage: Occurs in 309 OT verses. KJV: country, field, ground, land, soil, [idiom] wild. See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 28:38; Nehemiah 12:29.
וּ/כְרָמֵ֥י/נוּ kerem H3754 "vineyard" Conj | N-cp | Suff
A vineyard, or kerem, was a garden or plot of land used for growing vines and other crops. In the Bible, vineyards were often used as a symbol of prosperity and abundance, as seen in the book of Isaiah and the parables of Jesus.
Definition: vineyard
Usage: Occurs in 81 OT verses. KJV: vines, (increase of the) vineyard(-s), vintage. See also H1021 (בֵּית הַכֶּרֶם). See also: Genesis 9:20; Nehemiah 5:11; Psalms 107:37.
וּ/בָתֵּ֖י/נוּ bayith H1004 "place" Conj | N-mp | Suff
The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.
Definition: nm place, origin, between
Usage: Occurs in 1712 OT verses. KJV: court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). See also: Genesis 6:14; Exodus 8:5; Numbers 1:45.
אֲנַ֣חְנוּ ʼănachnûw H587 "we" Pron
A Hebrew word for we or us, used for emphasis, like when Moses said we will follow God's commands, emphasizing the community's commitment.
Definition: we (first pers. pl. -usually used for emphasis)
Usage: Occurs in 115 OT verses. KJV: ourselves, us, we. See also: Genesis 13:8; 1 Chronicles 11:1; Psalms 20:8.
עֹרְבִ֑ים ʻârab H6148 "to pledge" V-Qal
This verb means to pledge or exchange something, often in the context of giving security or taking on a responsibility. It can also mean to occupy or undertake something, such as going surety for someone or giving pledges.
Definition: 1) to pledge, exchange, mortgage, engage, occupy, undertake for, give pledges, be or become surety, take on pledge, give in pledge 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take on pledge, go surety for 1a2) to give in pledge 1a3) to exchange 1a4) to pledge 1b) (Hithpael) 1b1) to exchange pledges 1b2) to have fellowship with, share
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: engage, (inter-) meddle (with), mingle (self), mortgage, occupy, give pledges, be(-come, put in) surety, undertake. See also: Genesis 43:9; Proverbs 17:18; Psalms 106:35.
וְ/נִקְחָ֥ה lâqach H3947 "to take" Conj | V-Qal-1cp
This Hebrew word means to take or get something, and it is used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to take a wife, to take possession of something, or to receive a gift. For example, in Genesis 2:22, God takes a rib from Adam to create Eve.
Definition: : take 1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take, take in the hand 1a2) to take and carry along 1a3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away 1a4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept 1a5) to take up or upon, put upon 1a6) to fetch 1a7) to take, lead, conduct 1a8) to take, capture, seize 1a9) to take, carry off 1a10) to take (vengeance) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be captured 1b2) to be taken away, be removed 1b3) to be taken, brought unto 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be taken from or out of 1c2) to be stolen from 1c3) to be taken captive 1c4) to be taken away, be removed 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be taken unto, be brought unto 1d2) to be taken out of 1d3) to be taken away 1e) (Hithpael) 1e1) to take hold of oneself 1e2) to flash about (of lightning)
Usage: Occurs in 909 OT verses. KJV: accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. See also: Genesis 2:15; Genesis 34:17; Exodus 30:23.
דָגָ֖ן dâgân H1715 "grain" N-ms
Dagan refers to grain or wheat, a staple food in ancient Israel. In Genesis 41:35, Joseph advised Pharaoh to store grain during the good years to prepare for famine, and in Leviticus 23:10, the Israelites were instructed to offer a sheaf of grain as an offering.
Definition: wheat, cereal, grain, corn
Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: corn (floor), wheat. See also: Genesis 27:28; Nehemiah 13:12; Psalms 4:8.
בָּ/רָעָֽב râʻâb H7458 "famine" Prep | N-ms
Famine or hunger is what this Hebrew word represents, often referring to a lack of food or spiritual nourishment. It appears in books like Genesis and Jeremiah, highlighting the importance of trust in God during difficult times.
Definition: 1) famine, hunger 1a) famine (in land, nation) 1a1) of Jehovah's word (fig) 1b) hunger (of individuals)
Usage: Occurs in 88 OT verses. KJV: dearth, famine, [phrase] famished, hunger. See also: Genesis 12:10; Jeremiah 14:12; Psalms 33:19.

Study Notes — Nehemiah 5:3

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Leviticus 25:35–39 Now if your countryman becomes destitute and cannot support himself among you, then you are to help him as you would a foreigner or stranger, so that he can continue to live among you. Do not take any interest or profit from him, but fear your God, that your countryman may live among you. You must not lend him your silver at interest or sell him your food for profit. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to give you the land of Canaan and to be your God. If a countryman among you becomes destitute and sells himself to you, then you must not force him into slave labor.
2 Malachi 3:8–11 Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you ask, ‘How do we rob You?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, yet you—the whole nation—are still robbing Me. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this,” says the LORD of Hosts. “See if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you blessing without measure. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your land, and the vine in your field will not fail to produce fruit,” says the LORD of Hosts.
3 Genesis 47:15–25 When the money from the lands of Egypt and Canaan was gone, all the Egyptians came to Joseph and said, “Give us food. Why should we die before your eyes? For our funds have run out!” “Then bring me your livestock,” said Joseph. “Since the money is gone, I will sell you food in exchange for your livestock.” So they brought their livestock to Joseph, and he gave them food in exchange for their horses, their flocks and herds, and their donkeys. Throughout that year he provided them with food in exchange for all their livestock. When that year was over, they came to him the second year and said, “We cannot hide from our lord that our money is gone and all our livestock belongs to you. There is nothing left for our lord except our bodies and our land. Why should we perish before your eyes—we and our land as well? Purchase us and our land in exchange for food. Then we, along with our land, will be slaves to Pharaoh. Give us seed that we may live and not die, and that the land may not become desolate.” So Joseph acquired for Pharaoh all the land in Egypt; the Egyptians, one and all, sold their fields because the famine was so severe upon them. The land became Pharaoh’s, and Joseph reduced the people to servitude from one end of Egypt to the other. However, he did not acquire the priests’ portion of the land, for it had been given to them by Pharaoh. They ate the rations that Pharaoh supplied; so they did not sell their land. Then Joseph said to the people, “Now that I have acquired you and your land for Pharaoh this day, here is seed for you to sow in the land. At harvest time, you are to give a fifth of it to Pharaoh, and four-fifths will be yours as seed for the field and food for yourselves and your households and children.” “You have saved our lives,” they said. “We have found favor in our lord’s eyes, and we will be Pharaoh’s servants.”
4 Deuteronomy 15:7 If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, then you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother.

Nehemiah 5:3 Summary

In Nehemiah 5:3, we see that the people were struggling to survive during a severe famine, and were forced to mortgage their fields, vineyards, and homes just to get food. This verse teaches us about the importance of trusting in God's provision, rather than relying on our own resources, as seen in Matthew 6:25-34. It also highlights the need for responsible stewardship of the resources God has given us, as taught in Psalm 24:1. By trusting in God and being good stewards, we can avoid desperate measures and find peace in His sovereignty, as promised in Jeremiah 29:11.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was happening in Nehemiah 5:3 that caused the people to mortgage their fields, vineyards, and homes?

The people were experiencing a severe famine, which forced them to take drastic measures to obtain food, as seen in Nehemiah 5:3, and this was likely exacerbated by the burden of paying taxes to the king, as mentioned in Nehemiah 5:4, similar to the economic hardships described in Ruth 1:1.

How does this verse relate to the concept of stewardship in the Bible?

This verse highlights the importance of responsible stewardship of the resources God has given us, as taught in Psalm 24:1, and the need to trust in His provision, rather than resorting to desperate measures, as seen in Matthew 6:25-34.

What can we learn from the desperation of the people in this verse?

The desperation of the people in Nehemiah 5:3 serves as a reminder of the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and provision, even in times of hardship, as encouraged in Jeremiah 29:11 and Romans 8:28.

How does this verse relate to the theme of poverty and wealth in the Bible?

This verse touches on the theme of poverty and wealth, highlighting the disparity between the rich and the poor, and the need for fairness and justice, as emphasized in Leviticus 25:35-37 and Isaiah 58:6-7.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways in which I can trust in God's provision, rather than relying on my own resources, as seen in Nehemiah 5:3?
  2. How can I apply the principle of responsible stewardship in my own life, in terms of managing my finances and resources?
  3. What are some times in my life when I have felt desperate, like the people in this verse, and how can I learn to trust in God's sovereignty during those times?
  4. What can I do to help those who are struggling financially, and how can I be a blessing to them, as encouraged in Acts 2:45 and Galatians 2:10?

Gill's Exposition on Nehemiah 5:3

Some also there were that said, we have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses,.... Made them over to others, put them into their hands as pledges for money received of them: that we may buy

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Nehemiah 5:3

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. No JFB commentary on these verses.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Nehemiah 5:3

Which might easily happen, both from the multitude of the people now in and near Jerusalem, and from their building work, which wholly took them up, and kept them from taking care of their own families, and from the expectation and dread of their enemies’ invasion, which hindered them from going abroad to fetch in provision, and the people round about from bringing it in to them; or from divers other causes.

Trapp's Commentary on Nehemiah 5:3

Nehemiah 5:3 [Some] also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth.Ver. 3. We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, &c.] Lands they had, but were little the better for them. Husbandry they had neglected to give attendance upon buildings; neither were they able to stock and store their grounds, and so are forced to part with them at an underrate price. This is many a poor man’ s case among us, who yet are little pitied, or relieved, unless it be with a little mouth mercy, as in St James’ s days, James 2:15-16. Oppressors will be but as friends at a sneeze; the most you can get of them is, God bless you; like they are (many of them) to Darius, who prayed God to help Daniel, but sent him to the lions’ den.

Ellicott's Commentary on Nehemiah 5:3

(3) Because of the dearth.—Not any particular famine, strictly speaking, but their present hunger. The past mortgages had straitened their resources.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Nehemiah 5:3

Verse 3. Because of the dearth.] About the time of Zerubbabel, God had sent a judicial dearth upon the land, as we learn from Haggai, Haggai 1:9, c., for the people it seems were more intent on building houses for themselves than on rebuilding the house of the Lord: "Ye looked for much, and, lo, it is come to little because of mine house that is waste; and ye run, every man unto his own house. Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit. And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon that which the ground brought forth; and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labour of the hands." This dearth might have been continued, or its effects still felt; but it is more likely that there was a new dearth owing to the great number of people, for whose support the land that had been brought into cultivation was not sufficient.

Cambridge Bible on Nehemiah 5:3

3. Some also] The complaint in this verse is that among the poorer classes, those who had a little property were compelled to mortgage it in order to obtain the bare necessaries of life. We have mortgaged] R.V. We are mortgaging. The Hebrew verb expresses a state of things going on at the time. our lands, vineyards, and houses] R.V. our fields, and our vineyards, and our houses. ‘Fields’ is better than ‘lands,’ which is too large and general a word. The three words refer to the corn-fields, vineyards, and dwellings, such as the poorer householders might possess. For the tenacity with which the possession of house or land was retained in a family, cf. 1 Kings 21. In the Hebrew these three words stand emphatically at the head of the sentence corresponding to ‘our sons and our daughters’ in the previous verse. that we might buy corn] R.V. let us get corn. The words are the same as in the previous verse. They express not the purpose of the mortgage, but the resolve of the people to obtain food. By mortgaging their property they had lost the little capital they had. They had not the means to pay the interest on the mortgage as well as to obtain food for their families. The prospect before them was the final loss of property and starvation. because of the dearth] This might be rendered ‘in the famine.’ But the sense is hardly different. It was necessary to obtain food in the time of scarcity because of the dearth. Cf. ‘through the famine,’ Genesis 41:36.

Whedon's Commentary on Nehemiah 5:3

3. Also there were — Another class higher than those of Neh 5:2, for they were the owners of lands, vineyards, and houses. These had brought themselves into distress by mortgaging or pledging their property for food.

Sermons on Nehemiah 5:3

SermonDescription
Jonathan Edwards Christian Charity (Or the Duty of Charity to the Poor, Explained and Enforced) by Jonathan Edwards Jonathan Edwards preaches about the duty of charity to the poor, emphasizing the importance of giving bountifully and willingly to those in need, regardless of their circumstances
Alfred Edersheim Sketches of Jewish Social Life - Part 3 by Alfred Edersheim Alfred Edersheim delves into the intricate world of Pharisaism, shedding light on their strict adherence to religious laws and practices, their conspicuous devotions in public spac
Gladys Aylward Testimony and Challenge by Gladys Aylward In this sermon, the speaker shares their personal experience of being in China and looking after mules while others listened to a woman named Jeannie tell stories about Jesus. The
J. Glyn Owen Sermon on the Mount: Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit by J. Glyn Owen In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of looking at oneself in the light of the Word of God. He warns that without this self-reflection, one may believe the lies of
Carter Conlon Be Sure, Your Sin Will Find You Out by Carter Conlon In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of loving God with all our hearts and loving our neighbors. He shares the story of a man who questioned who his neighbor was,
J. Vernon McGee (Exodus) Exodus 28:4-5 by J. Vernon McGee In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of providing the best equipment for God's work. He refers to the story in Malachi where God accuses people of robbing Him. The
Zac Poonen Malachi by Zac Poonen In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of having a deep hatred for sin and living a life of righteousness. He highlights the characteristics of true preachers and p
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