John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 4. There were also that said , etc.] Who though they were able to buy corn for their families without mortgaging their estates: yet, say they, we have borrowed money for the king’s tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards ; for though the priests, Levites, and Nethinims, were exempted from it, yet not the people in common; and some of these were so poor, that they could not pay it without borrowing upon their estates, and paying large usury for it, (see Ezra 6:8 7:24) Ver. 5 . Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren , etc.] We are of the same nature, nation, stock, and religion: our children as their children; are circumcised as they, and have a right to the same privileges in church and state: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and daughters to be servants ; shall be obliged to it, unless relieved: and some of our daughters are brought into bondage already ; sold to be servants, as they might in case of the poverty of parents, ( Exodus 21:7), and some were sometimes taken to be bondmen in payment of their parents’ debts, ( 2 Kings 4:1) neither is it in our power to redeem them, for other men have our lands and vineyards ; as pledges for money borrowed.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-5 - Men prey upon their fellow-creatures: by despising the poor the reproach their Maker. Such conduct is a disgrace to any, but who can sufficiently abhor it when adopted by professing Christians? With compassion for the oppressed, we should lament the hardships which man in the world are groaning under; putting our souls into their souls stead, and remembering in our prayers and succours those who ar burdened. But let those who show no mercy, expect judgment withou mercy.
Original Hebrew וישׁ3426 אשׁר834 אמרים559 לוינו3867 כסף3701 למדת4060 המלך4428 שׂדתינו7704 וכרמינו׃3754
