Nehemiah 5:14-19

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.

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.

19 Remember me with favor, my God, for all I have done for these people.

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Nehemiah 5:14-19 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 6

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
5. 1 Kings 4:23
6. S Genesis 8:1; S 2 Kings 20:3; S Nehemiah 1:8; Nehemiah 13:14,22,31

Footnotes 2

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