Nehemiah 5:14-17

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^[a] 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^[b] 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.

Nehemiah 5:14-17 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. S Nehemiah 2:6; Nehemiah 13:6
• 2. Genesis 42:6; Ezra 6:7; Jeremiah 40:7; Haggai 1:1
• 3. S Genesis 20:11
• 4. 2 Thessalonians 3:7-10

Footnotes

• [a]. That is, about 1 pound or about 460 grams
• [b]. Most Hebrew manuscripts; some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint, Vulgate and Syriac "I"