Nehemiah 5:15 “The governors before me had heavily burdened the people, taking from t…”

Nehemiah 5:15

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.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

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.

World English Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

Geneva Bible 1599

For the former gouernours that were before me, had bene chargeable vnto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, besides fourtie shekels of siluer: yea, and their seruants bare rule ouer the people: but so did not I, because of the feare of God.

Darby Translation

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

Young's Literal Translation

the former governors who [are] before me have made themselves heavy on the people, and take of them in bread and wine, besides in silver forty shekels; also, their servants have ruled over the people — and I have not done so, because of the fear of God.

Bible in Basic English

But earlier rulers who were before me made the people responsible for their upkeep, and took from them bread and wine at the rate of forty shekels of silver; and even their servants were lords over the people: but I did not do so, because of the fear of God.

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Cross references

“even their”

1 Samuel 8:15 Proverbs 29:12 1 Samuel 2:15–17

1 Samuel 8:15 · BSB

He will take a tenth of your grain and grape harvest and give it to his officials and servants.

Proverbs 29:12 · BSB

If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be wicked.

1 Samuel 2:15–17 · BSB

Even before the fat was burned, the servant of the priest would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, “Give the priest some meat to roast, because he will not accept boiled meat from you, but only raw.”

“so did”

Matthew 5:47 2 Corinthians 11:9 2 Corinthians 12:13

Matthew 5:47 · BSB

And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same?

2 Corinthians 11:9 · BSB

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.

2 Corinthians 12:13 · BSB

In what way were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!

“because”

Nehemiah 5:9 Proverbs 16:6 Isaiah 50:10 Job 31:23 Psalm 112:1 Psalm 147:11

Nehemiah 5:9 · BSB

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 · BSB

By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil.

Isaiah 50:10 · BSB

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.

Job 31:23 · BSB

For calamity from God terrifies me, and His splendor I cannot overpower.

Psalm 112:1 · BSB

Hallelujah! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in His commandments.

Psalm 147:11 · BSB

The LORD is pleased with those who fear Him, who hope in His loving devotion.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

14Furthermore, from the day King Artaxerxes appointed me to be their governor in the land of Judah, from his twentieth year until his thirty-second year (twelve years total), neither I nor my brothers ate the food allotted to the governor.

16Instead, I devoted myself to the construction of the wall, and all my servants were gathered there for the work; we did not acquire any land.

Read Nehemiah 5