Nehemiah 5:14-19

Nehemiah's Generosity

14 Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from ¹the twentieth year to ²the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes the king, twelve years, ³neither I nor my brothers ate the food allowance of the governor.

15 The former governors who were before me laid heavy burdens on the people and took from them for their daily ration^[a] forty shekels^[b] of silver. Even their servants lorded it over the people. But I did not do so, ⁴because of the fear of God.

16 I also persevered in the work on this wall, and we acquired no land, and all my servants were gathered there for the work.

17 Moreover, there were ⁵at my table 150 men, Jews and officials, besides those who came to us from the nations that were around us.

18 ⁶Now what was prepared at my expense^[c] for each day was one ox and six choice sheep and birds, and every ten days all kinds of wine in abundance. Yet for all this ⁷I did not demand the food allowance of the governor, because the service was too heavy on this people.

19 ⁸Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this people.

Nehemiah 5:14-19 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EZRA 5

In this chapter is a complaint of the poor against the rich for oppression of them, Ne 5:1-5 for which Nehemiah being angry, reproved them, and made them promise, and swear to it, to make restitution, Ne 5:6-13 and set them an example himself, taking nothing of them during his twelve years' government, supporting himself and his at his own expenses, Ne 5:14-19.

Cross References

• 1. Nehemiah 2:1
• 2. Nehemiah 13:6
• 3. [2 Thessalonians 3:8]
• 4. ver. 9
• 5. [2 Samuel 9:7, 10]; 1 Kings 18:19
• 6. [1 Kings 4:22, 23]
• 7. [See ver. 14 above]
• 8. Nehemiah 13:14, 22, 31

Footnotes

• [a]. Compare Vulgate; Hebrew took from them with food and wine afterward
• [b]. A shekel was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams
• [c]. Or prepared for me