John Trapp on Nehemiah 5:2

Verſe 2. We, our ſonnes, and our daughters are many] That's mercy,Epiſt: 7. had we but keeping for them. Their wives were very fruitful, ſed luctuoſâ foecunditate (as Hierome ſaith of Laeta:) for they had more mouths then meat for them. The young children asked for bread, and no man brake it unto them, Lam. 4.4.

Therefore we take up corn for them] Corn upon uſe, to keep us from ſtarving: and that by pawning or ſelling our dear children to the rich Creditours for ſervants; till we can redeem them, which we are never like to do, ver. 5.

That we may eat and live] Meerly to keep us alive: for elſe we would never have made our poor children bondſlaves. But Neceſſitas durum telum, Hunger is ſo pinching a pain, that a Woman will eate her own child, as in the ſiege of Jeruſalem, Samaria, Saguntum: yea a man his own fleſh, rather then dye with hunger. Hitherto the pooreſt ſort. Followes now another cry.