Nehemiah 5:15-16

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.

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Nehemiah 5:15-16 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.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Cross References 2

1. S Genesis 20:11
2. 2 Thessalonians 3:7-10

Footnotes 2

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