Nehemiah 5 15

Nehemiah 5:15 kjv

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.

Nehemiah 5:15 nkjv

But the former governors who were before me laid burdens on the people, and took from them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver. Yes, even their servants bore rule over the people, but I did not do so, because of the fear of God.

Nehemiah 5:15 niv

But the earlier governors?those preceding me?placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels 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.

Nehemiah 5:15 esv

The former governors who were before me laid heavy burdens on the people and took from them for their daily ration forty shekels of silver. Even their servants lorded it over the people. But I did not do so, because of the fear of God.

Nehemiah 5:15 nlt

The former governors, in contrast, had laid heavy burdens on the people, demanding a daily ration of food and wine, besides forty pieces of silver. Even their assistants took advantage of the people. But because I feared God, I did not act that way.

Nehemiah 5 verses

Nehemiah 5 15 Meaning

Nehemiah 5:15 details a stark contrast between Nehemiah's righteous leadership and the oppressive practices of previous Persian governors in Judah. These predecessors heavily burdened the populace, exacting tribute in basic necessities like bread and wine, and demanding significant silver beyond standard taxes. Their servants, too, abused authority by dominating the people. Nehemiah, however, explicitly states his abstinence from such exploitation, attributing his ethical conduct to his profound reverence for God.

Nehemiah 5 15 Context

Nehemiah chapter 5 focuses on the internal socio-economic crisis plaguing the returned Jewish exiles during the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. While previous chapters describe external opposition to the wall-building, this chapter reveals an even more insidious threat: internal oppression and injustice. Due to famine, heavy Persian taxation, and the need to pay for provisions, many poor Jews had mortgaged their lands, vineyards, and even sold their children into slavery to repay debts and secure food. This severe economic distress led to a cry of the people to Nehemiah. As governor, Nehemiah was deeply distressed by the exploitation, especially the usury practiced by wealthy nobles and officials against their fellow Jews, violating the Mosaic Law (Deut 23:19-20). Nehemiah's immediate and decisive action in addressing this systemic injustice—confronting the nobles, advocating for the oppressed, and demanding the restitution of property and a halt to usury—highlights his character as a God-fearing leader. Verse 15 specifically reinforces Nehemiah's moral authority and integrity by drawing a sharp contrast between his personal administrative practice and the long-standing corrupt habits of former governors.

Nehemiah 5 15 Word analysis

• But: This conjunctive particle (Hebrew: וְ Gamal is a Vav conjunction and 'laken' meaning 'therefore' or 'but' (strong disjunction here implies a stronger opposition and marks a decisive turning point.) serves as a strong adversative, signaling a profound contrast between the previous rulers' actions and Nehemiah's conduct. It sets up the core comparison of the verse.
• the former governors: (Hebrew: הַפַּחֹת הָרִאשֹׁנִים - ha-pachot ha-rishonim) -
  • ha-pachot (הַפַּחֹת): Plural of pachah (פֶּחָה), which refers to a Persian-appointed provincial governor or commissioner. It denotes an official appointed by the king, holding considerable administrative, judicial, and military authority within their jurisdiction. These were high-ranking administrators under the Persian empire.
  • ha-rishonim (הָרִאשֹׁנִים): Means "the first ones," "the previous ones," or "the earlier ones." It explicitly points to Nehemiah's predecessors in the administrative office, suggesting a long-standing pattern of behavior.
  • Together, it specifies those in authority before Nehemiah assumed his role, implying a continuity of oppressive policies until his arrival.
• who were before me: This phrase reiterates the historical sequence, emphasizing that Nehemiah is aware of the past governmental practices and is deliberately choosing a different path.
• laid burdens: (Hebrew: הִכְבִּידוּ - hikhbīdū) - Derived from the root כָּבַד (kābhad), meaning "to be heavy," "to make heavy." The Hiphil conjugation (causative) means "to cause to be heavy," "to burden," or "to oppress." It signifies the imposition of heavy loads, taxes, or demands, causing distress and difficulty. This implies a deliberate act of putting hardship on the people.
• on the people: Refers to the common Jewish populace, highlighting that the oppression directly affected those under their rule.
• and took from them bread and wine: (Hebrew: לָקְחוּ מֵהֶם לֶחֶם וָיַיִן - laqechu mehem lechem v’yayin) -
  • laqechu: "they took." Indicates seizure or demand of provisions.
  • lechem v’yayin: "bread and wine." These were basic staples of daily life in ancient Judah. Taking these implied levying a tax in kind or forcibly taking sustenance essential for survival, going beyond reasonable provisions for administration and bordering on exploitation. This practice would have exacerbated the already existing famine and debt.
• besides forty shekels of silver: (Hebrew: אַחַר כֶּסֶף אַרְבָּעִים שְׁקָלִים - achar kesef arba‘im sheqalim) -
  • achar kesef: "after silver," meaning in addition to or besides silver.
  • arba‘im sheqalim: "forty shekels." A shekel was a unit of weight, typically about 11.4 grams (or 0.4 oz) of silver. Forty shekels would be approximately 456 grams (or 1 lb) of silver. This was a substantial amount, especially if it was a daily or weekly imposition, indicative of a hefty tax or levy, greatly impoverishing the people. It could represent an exorbitant surcharge or fee beyond normal taxation.
• Even their servants: (Hebrew: וְגַם נַעֲרֵיהֶם - və-gam na‘areyhem) - "and also their young men" or "their retainers/officials." This indicates the widespread nature of the corruption, extending beyond the chief officials to their subordinates, who also participated in and benefited from the system of oppression.
• lorded it over the people: (Hebrew: שָׁלְטוּ בָעָם - shaletū ba‘am) -
  • shaletū: from shalat (שָׁלַט), "to rule," "to dominate," "to have power over." Implies exercising harsh, abusive, or arbitrary power. It indicates a tyrannical and unrestrained use of authority.
  • This phrase emphasizes not just economic exploitation but also a form of social or political oppression, perhaps through intimidation, arbitrary demands, or illegal enforcement.
• But I did not do so: Nehemiah's personal declaration and defining characteristic of his leadership. He explicitly contrasts his conduct with that of his predecessors. This reinforces his integrity and the intentional nature of his righteous actions.
• because of the fear of God: (Hebrew: מִפְּנֵי יִרְאַת אֱלֹהִים - mippǝnê yir’at Elohim) -
  • mippǝnê: "because of," "from the face of."
  • yir'at Elohim: "fear of God." This is the core theological motivation. It is not mere terror but a profound reverence, awe, and submission to God's will and moral law. This fear implies a deep awareness of God's omnipresence, holiness, justice, and the ultimate accountability to Him. This leads to ethical action, avoidance of sin (especially exploitation), and adherence to covenant principles. For Nehemiah, this fear prevents him from participating in corruption and guides him to act justly and mercifully, understanding that his ultimate authority is God.

Nehemiah 5 15 Bonus section

Nehemiah's adherence to the "fear of God" in his governance goes beyond mere ethical behavior; it is a manifestation of true worship. In a period when spiritual renewal often focused on Temple rites, Nehemiah showed that piety extended into practical social justice and administrative integrity. This verse illustrates that a leader's character, shaped by genuine reverence for God, directly impacts the well-being of the governed. It provides a timeless principle: righteous leadership, born out of the fear of God, offers genuine liberation from oppression and brings blessings to the community, while leadership devoid of such reverence leads to exploitation and suffering. This deep-seated conviction also enabled Nehemiah to confront internal corruption within his own community, even against those who were financially powerful (Neh 5:7), highlighting the power of divine motivation over worldly considerations.

Nehemiah 5 15 Commentary

Nehemiah 5:15 stands as a powerful articulation of God-centered leadership, contrasting Nehemiah's unique integrity with the widespread corruption endemic in secular governance of his time. The verse unveils the oppressive cycle perpetrated by previous governors who systematically burdened the common people, exacting not only substantial silver but also daily necessities like bread and wine, effectively consuming the very sustenance of the vulnerable. The chilling detail that "even their servants lorded it over the people" paints a picture of pervasive abuse of power, where exploitation trickled down through all levels of the administrative hierarchy, leading to immense suffering and desperation among the Jewish populace.

In this context of systemic greed and self-enrichment, Nehemiah's resolute declaration, "But I did not do so," rings with remarkable moral clarity. This was not a passive refusal but an active, conscientious choice to reject the pervasive pattern of abuse, especially considering the customary right for governors to levy such taxes. His motivation, "because of the fear of God," elevates his actions beyond mere administrative reform to a profound spiritual testimony. This "fear" is not cowardice but a deep, reverential awe and an unwavering commitment to God's standards of justice, mercy, and care for the vulnerable (Deut 10:12, Mic 6:8). It reflects an understanding that true authority is derived from God and must be exercised in accordance with His divine will, which forbids exploitation and champions the cause of the poor (Ps 72:13-14). Nehemiah's fear of God compelled him to prioritize the welfare of his people over personal gain, making him a model of selfless servant leadership in contrast to the domineering "lordship" condemned by Christ (Mk 10:42-45). His example served as a powerful rebuke to the selfish nobles and an encouragement to the distressed commoners, demonstrating that faithfulness to God demanded practical and ethical living in all spheres, particularly in leadership.