Nehemiah 5:16

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

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 time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even to the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, [that is], twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor.

15 But the former governors, that [had been] before me were chargeable to the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver; yes, even their servants bore rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.

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

17 Moreover, [there were] at my table a hundred and fifty of the Jews and rulers, besides those that came to us from among the heathen that [were] about us.

18 Now [that] which was prepared [for me] daily [was] one ox [and] six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days an abundance of all sorts of wine: yet for all this I required not the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people.