Nehemiah 5:14

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.

Nehemiah 5:14 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 5:14

Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their
governor in the land of Judah
That is, by the king of Persia, which was not done when he was first sent into Judea; but very probably when he had finished the wall in fifty two days, he returned to Persia, and gave the king an account of his success, and how things stood in those parts, when he judged it necessary to send him again in the character of a governor, and which was still within the same year, as follows: from the twentieth year, even unto the thirty second year of Artaxerxes, that is, twelve years; see ( Nehemiah 13:6 ) .

I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor;
which was fit and proper for him, and used to be given him; neither he, nor those that assisted him in the government, the principal men he brought along with him, and put into posts and places under him.

Nehemiah 5:14 In-Context

12 Then they said, "We will restore these and require nothing from them. We will do as you say." And I called the priests and made them swear to do as they had promised.

13 I also shook out the fold of my garment and said, "So may God shake out every man from his house and from his labor who does not keep this promise. So may he be shaken out and emptied."And all the assembly said "Amen" and praised the LORD. And the people did as they had promised.

14 Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes the king, twelve years, neither 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 forty shekels of silver. Even their servants lorded it over the people. But I did not do so, because 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.

Cross References

• 1. Nehemiah 2:1
• 2. Nehemiah 13:6
• 3. [2 Thessalonians 3:8]