Nehemiah 5:16

16 Instead, I devoted myself to the work on this wall. All my men were assembled there for the work; we^[a] did not acquire any land.

Nehemiah 5:16 in Other Translations

16 Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered thither unto the work.

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.

16 I also devoted myself to working on the wall and refused to acquire any land. And I required all my servants to spend time working on the wall.

16 I had work to do; I worked on this wall. All my men were on the job to do the work. We didn't have time to line our own pockets.

16 Instead, I devoted myself to the construction of the wall, and all my subordinates were gathered there for the work. We didn't buy any land.

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 Moreover, from the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, until his thirty-second year—twelve years—neither I nor my brothers ate the food allotted to the governor.

15 But the earlier governors—those preceding me—placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels of silver from them in addition to food and wine. Their assistants also lorded it over the people. But out of reverence for God I did not act like that.

16 Instead, I devoted myself to the work on this wall. All my men were assembled there for the work; we did not acquire any land.

17 Furthermore, a hundred and fifty Jews and officials ate at my table, as well as those who came to us from the surrounding nations.

18 Each day one ox, six choice sheep and some poultry were prepared for me, and every ten days an abundant supply of wine of all kinds. In spite of all this, I never demanded the food allotted to the governor, because the demands were heavy on these people.

Cross References

• 1. 2 Thessalonians 3:7-10

Footnotes

• [a]. Most Hebrew manuscripts; some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint, Vulgate and Syriac "I"