Nehemiah 5:15

Translations

Modern

The governors before me had heavily burdened the people, taking from them bread and wine plus forty shekels of silver. Their servants also oppressed the people. But I did not do this, because of my fear of God.

Traditional

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.

Literal

And the former governors who were before me laid burdens on the people, and they took from them bread and wine, besides silver, forty shekels. Also their servants ruled over the people, and I did not do so because of the fear of God.

Latin

Duces autem primi, qui fuerant ante me, gravaverunt populum, et acceperunt ab eis in pane, et vino, et pecunia, quotidie siclos quadraginta: sed et ministri eorum depresserunt populum. Ego autem non feci ita propter timorem Dei:

Original

Hebrew

English

The governors before me had heavily burdened the people, taking from them bread and wine plus forty shekels of silver. Their servants also oppressed the people. But I did not do this, because of my fear of God.

Notes

Nehemiah 5:15

The former governors were likely Nehemiah’s immediate predecessors, not Sheshbazzar (Ezra 1:8, around 90 years earlier) or Zerubbabel (Haggai 1:1, around 80 years earlier).

Nehemiah 5:14–19

This section explains Nehemiah's steady approach to servant leadership and his personal generosity.

Theme notes and profiles

Nehemiah Jerusalem

Measurements

forty shekels of silver: About 1 lb (453.6 g)

Related verses

Nehemiah 5:9
So I continued, “What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our foreign enemies?
Proverbs 16:6
By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil.
Isaiah 50:10
Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of His Servant? Who among you walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD; let him lean on his God.
2 Corinthians 11:9
And when I was with you and in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my needs. I have refrained from being a burden to you in any way, and I will continue to do so.
Matthew 5:47
And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same?
Ecclesiastes 12:13–14
When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man.
Job 31:23
For calamity from God terrifies me, and His splendor I cannot overpower.
Psalm 112:1
Hallelujah! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in His commandments.
Psalm 147:11
The LORD is pleased with those who fear Him, who hope in His loving devotion.
2 Corinthians 12:13
In what way were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
1 Samuel 8:15
He will take a tenth of your grain and grape harvest and give it to his officials and servants.
Proverbs 29:12
If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be wicked.

Glossary

Book of Nehemiah Nehemiah (Person) Postexilic Period Tax, Taxation

Topics

Civil Service: Corruption In Civil Service: Reform In Conscience: Faithful of Nehemiah, in the Matter of Taxes Country: Love of Example: Good Fear of God: Conspicuous Instances of Those Who Feared: Nehemiah, in his Reform of the Public Administration Godly Fear: Nehemiah Integrity: Nehemiah, Reforming the Civil Service, and Receiving No Compensation for his own Services Kindness: The Jews to the People Love: Nehemiah for Israelites Silver: Tribute often Paid In Unselfishness: Nehemiah

Nehemiah 5:15

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Measurements?

Related verses?

Glossary?

Topics?

Translations

Original

Notes

Measurements

Related verses

Glossary

Topics