Nehemiah 5:15

But the former governors who were before me were supported by the people, and took bread and wine from them, plus forty shekels of silver; yes, even their servants ruled over the people, but I didn’t do so, because of the fear of God.

World English Bible British with Deuterocanon

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 time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even to the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brothers have not eaten the bread of the governor.

16Yes, I also continued in the work of this wall. We didn’t buy any land. All my servants were gathered there to the work.

Read all of Nehemiah 5

Cross References

1 Samuel 2:15Yes, before they burnt the fat, the priest’s servant came, and said to the man who sacrificed, “Give meat to roast for the priest; for he will not accept boiled meat from you, but raw.”

Nehemiah 5:9Also I said, “The thing that you do is not good. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the nations, our enemies?

Psalms 112:1Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who delights greatly in his commandments.

Proverbs 16:6By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

Ecclesiastes 12:13This is the end of the matter. All has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.

Lamentations 5:8Servants rule over us. There is no one to deliver 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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