John Gill Commentary Nehemiah 5:1

"Then there arose a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews." — Nehemiah 5:1 (ASV)

And there was a great cry of the people, and of their wives ,
&c.] Those of the poorer sort:

against their brethren the Jews ;
the rich that oppressed them; and this cry or complaint was made to Nehemiah for redress.