John Trapp on Nehemiah 5:1

CHAP. V. Verſe 1. And there was a great cry]

SUch as ſeditious ones uſe to ſet up in their outragious uproares: or ſuch as is the expreſſion of great grief and anguiſh of heart.Significat clamor[illegible: 1 letter]m vel querulum, vel imperioſum, iracundumm, inacem.

Of the people] The ignobile vulgus, a moſt dangerous and heady water, when once it is out.

And of their wives] Who being pincht with penury made piteous out-cries. Invalidum omne, naturâ querulum. Seneca: James 2.6.

Againſt their brethren the Jewes] The richer ſort, who oppreſſed them and drew them before the judgement ſeats, as Saint James hath it of the Jews of his time: for they were no changelings. Let the Philiſtins bind Sampſon, and he can bear it: but do not you lay hands on me, ſaith he to his Countrey-men. Scipio had rather Annibal ſhould eat his heart with ſalt, then Laelius; give him a croſſe word. Had it been mine enemy, ſaith David, I could have digeſted it. So could theſe poor creatures far better have born the inſolencies of ſtrangers, then the oppreſſions of fellow-brethren. Tacitus tells us,Miſericordia in promptu apud ſuos, &c. that in his time the Jews were very merciful to thoſe of their own Nation, and cruel to all others. But here their owne complaine, and this was doubtleſſe a great grief to good Nehemiah.