Nehemiah 5:2-5
sons <01121> [We, our sons.]
must obtain grain <01715 03947> [we take up corn.]
putting up .......... collateral <06148> [mortgaged.]
famine <07458> [because.]
taxes .... king <04060 04428> [the king's tribute.]
flesh ... blood <01320> [our flesh.]
found ... necessary to subject .............. subjected to slavery <03533> [we.]
Nehemiah 5:7
considered .... carefully <03820 04427> [I consulted with myself. Heb. my heart consulted in me.]
registered a complaint <07378> [I rebuked.]
seizing the collateral <04855 05378> [Ye exact usury.]
called .... great ... assembly <01419 06952 05414> [I set a great assembly.]
Nehemiah 5:10-11
relatives <0251> [I likewise.]
But .... abandon <05800> [I pray you.]
But .... abandon <05800> [leave.]
return <07725> [Restore.]
fields <07704> [their lands.]
interest <03967> [the hundredth.]
This was probably the rate of interest which they obliged their poor debtors to pay each month, which would amount to about 12 per cent. Another author states that this is the lowest rate of interest in Syria: the usual rate is 20; and it is sometimes as high as 30 per cent.
