Nehemiah 5:15

But the former governors that had been before me had made it heavy for the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver: yea, even their young men ruled over the people; but I myself did not act so, because of the fear of God.

Leeser Tanakh

In The King James Version

But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.

In Context

14Moreover from the day that [the king] had enjoined on me to be governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year up to the two and thirtieth year of king Artaxerxes, [full] twelve years, neither I nor my brothers ate the food of the governor.

16And in the work of this wall also did I labor actively; and we bought not any fields; and all my young men were assembled there by the work.

Read all of Nehemiah 5

Cross References

1 Samuel 2:15Even before they had yet burnt the fat, the priest's servant would come, and say to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not take from thee sodden flesh, but raw.

Nehemiah 5:9Then said I, The thing is not good which ye are doing: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God, because of the taunting of the nations, our enemies?

Psalms 112:1Hallelujah. Happy is the man that feareth the Lord, that greatly delighteth in his commandments.

Proverbs 16:6Through kindness and truth is iniquity atoned for; and by the fear of the Lord [men] depart from evil.

Ecclesiastes 12:13The end of the matter is, let us hear the whole: Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole [duty of] man.

Lamentations 5:8Servants rule over us: no one delivereth us out of their hand.

Matthew Henry on Nehemiah 5:15-19

The Generosity of Nehemiah. ( b. c. 445.) 14 Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto 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 unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did… Read the whole commentary →

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