Nehemiah 5:16

16 Also in the work of the wall I treated them not with rigor, I bought not land: and all that were gathered together thither to the work.

Nehemiah 5:16 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 5:16

Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall
Of building the wall of Jerusalem; here he gave his constant attendance to direct and encourage the workmen, and see that they kept to their work, and did it well:

neither bought we any land;
neither he nor the principal men with him, though they could have bought it cheap, but they chose not to take the advantage of the poverty of the people:

and all my servants were gathered thither unto the work:
all were employed in it, taking no wages for their work, being maintained at his expense.

Nehemiah 5:16 In-Context

14 From the day that he charged me to be their ruler in the land of Juda, from the twentieth year even to the thirty-second year of Arthasastha, twelve years, I and my brethren ate not extorted from them.

15 But as for the former acts of extortion wherein before me oppressed them, they even took of them their last money, forty didrachms for bread and wine; and the outcasts of them exercised authority over the people: but I did not so, because of the fear of God.

16 Also in the work of the wall I treated them not with rigor, I bought not land: and all that were gathered together thither to the work.

17 And the Jews, to a hundred and fifty men, besides those coming to us from the nations round about, at my table.

18 And there came for one day one calf, and I had six choice sheep and a goat; and every ten days wine in abundance of all sorts: yet with these I required not the bread of extortion, because the bondage was heavy upon this people.