Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version 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. New Living Translation 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. English Standard Version 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. Berean Standard Bible 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. King James Bible 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. New King James Version 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. New American Standard Bible But the previous governors who were before me laid burdens on the people and took from them bread and wine besides forty shekels of silver; even their servants domineered the people. But I did not do so because of my fear of God. NASB 1995 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; even their servants domineered the people. But I did not do so because of the fear of God. NASB 1977 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; even their servants domineered the people. But I did not do so because of the fear of God. Legacy Standard Bible But the former governors who were before me laid heavy burdens on the people and took from them bread and wine besides forty shekels of silver; even their young men exerted their power over the people. But I did not do so because of the fear of God. Amplified Bible But the former governors who were [in office] before me put heavy burdens on the people and took food and wine from them in addition to forty shekels of silver [as an excessive monthly salary]; even their servants assumed authority over the people. But I did not do so because of the [reverent] fear of God. Christian Standard Bible The governors who preceded me had heavily burdened the people, taking from them food and wine as well as a pound of silver. Their subordinates also oppressed the people, but because of the fear of God, I didn’t do this. Holman Christian Standard Bible The governors who preceded me had heavily burdened the people, taking food and wine from them, as well as a pound of silver. Their subordinates also oppressed the people, but I didn’t do this, 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. Contemporary English Version Each governor before me had been a burden to the people by making them pay for his food and wine and by demanding forty silver coins a day. Even their officials had been a burden to the people. But I respected God, and I didn't think it was right to be so hard on them. English Revised Version But the former governors that were before me were chargeable unto the people, and took 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation Those who were governors before me had made life difficult for the people by taking from them food and wine plus one pound of silver. Even the governors' servants took advantage of their power over the people. But I didn't do that, because I feared God. Good News Translation Every governor who had been in office before me had been a burden to the people and had demanded forty silver coins a day for food and wine. Even their servants had oppressed the people. But I acted differently, because I honored God. International Standard Version Nevertheless, the former governors before me placed a heavy burden on the people. They received food and wine, plus a tax of 40 shekels of silver. Even their young men took advantage of the people, but I never did so because I feared God. Majority Standard Bible 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. NET Bible But the former governors who preceded me had burdened the people and had taken food and wine from them, in addition to forty shekels of silver. Their associates were also domineering over the people. But I did not behave in this way, due to my fear of God. New Heart English Bible But the former governors who were before me were supported by the people, and took bread and wine from them, besides forty shekels of silver; yes, even their servants ruled over the people: but I did not do so, because of the fear of God. Webster's Bible Translation But the former governors, that had been before me were chargeable to the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver; yes, even their servants bore 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. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionthe former governors who [are] before me have made themselves heavy on the people, and take of them in bread and wine, besides forty shekels in silver; also, their servants have ruled over the people—and I have not done 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. Smith's Literal Translation And the former prefects that were before me made heavy upon the people, and they will take from them in bread and wine, the last silver forty shekels; also their young men ruled over the people: and I did not thus from the face of the fear of God. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut the former governors that had been before me, were chargeable to the people, and took of them in bread, and wine, and in money every day forty sides: and their officers also oppressed the people. But I did not so for the fear of God. Catholic Public Domain Version But the former governors, the ones who had been before me, were a burden to the people, and they took from them bread and wine, and forty shekels of money each day. And their officials also oppressed the people. But I did not do so, out of fear of God. New American Bible The earlier governors, my predecessors, had laid a heavy burden on the people, taking from them each day forty silver shekels for their food; then, too, their attendants oppressed the people. But I, because I feared God, did not do this. New Revised Standard Version The former governors who were before me laid heavy burdens on the people, and took food and wine from them, besides forty shekels of silver. Even their servants lorded it over the people. But I did not do so, because of the fear of God. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut the former governors who had been before me had enslaved the people and taken from them wine and bread, besides forty shekels of silver; also their servants bore rule over the people, and they were subject to them and were tormented by them; but I did not do so, because of the fear of God. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the Rulers who had preceded me had enslaved the people, and they took from them wine and bread and much money for taxes, unto forty shekels, also their Servants ruled over the people and were authorized over them, and they abused them, and I have not done so, because of the presence of the awe of God. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917But the former governors that were before me laid burdens upon the people, and took of them for bread and wine above forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants lorded over the people; but so did not I, because of the fear of God. Brenton Septuagint Translation But as for the former acts of extortion wherein those who were before me oppressed them, they even took of them their last money, forty didrachms for bread and wine; and the very outcasts of them exercised authority over the people: but I did not so, because of the fear of God. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Nehemiah's Generosity14Furthermore, 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. 15The 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. 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.… Cross References Matthew 20:25-28 But Jesus called them aside and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. / It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, / and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave— ... Mark 10:42-45 So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. / But it shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, / and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. ... Luke 22:25-27 So Jesus declared, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority over them call themselves benefactors. / But you shall not be like them. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves. / For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines? But I am among you as one who serves. 1 Peter 5:2-3 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; / not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. Philippians 2:3-8 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. / Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. / Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: ... 2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. Acts 20:33-35 I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. / You yourselves know that these hands of mine have ministered to my own needs and those of my companions. / In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” 1 Thessalonians 2:6-9 Nor did we seek praise from you or from anyone else, although as apostles of Christ we had authority to demand it. / On the contrary, we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother caring for her children. / We cared so deeply that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our own lives as well. That is how beloved you have become to us. ... 1 Corinthians 9:12-18 If others have this right to your support, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not exercise this right. Instead, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. / Do you not know that those who work in the temple eat of its food, and those who serve at the altar partake of its offerings? / In the same way, the Lord has prescribed that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. ... Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” 1 Timothy 6:10-11 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. / But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Proverbs 29:14 A king who judges the poor with fairness—his throne will be established forever. Ezekiel 34:2-4 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who only feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed their flock? / You eat the fat, wear the wool, and butcher the fattened sheep, but you do not feed the flock. / You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bound up the injured, brought back the strays, or searched for the lost. Instead, you have ruled them with violence and cruelty. Jeremiah 22:13-17 “Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness, and his upper rooms without justice, who makes his countrymen serve without pay, and fails to pay their wages, / who says, ‘I will build myself a great palace, with spacious upper rooms.’ So he cuts windows in it, panels it with cedar, and paints it with vermilion. / Does it make you a king to excel in cedar? Did not your father have food and drink? He administered justice and righteousness, and so it went well with him. ... Isaiah 58:6-7 Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke? / Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Treasury of Scripture But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable to the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yes, even their servants bore rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God. even their 1 Samuel 2:15-17 Also before they burnt the fat, the priest's servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw… 1 Samuel 8:15 And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants. Proverbs 29:12 If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked. so did Matthew 5:47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 2 Corinthians 11:9 And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself. 2 Corinthians 12:13 For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong. because Nehemiah 5:9 Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies? Job 31:23 For destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure. Psalm 112:1 Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. Jump to Previous Bare Besides Bore Bread Burdens Chargeable Fear Former Forty Governors Laid Rule Ruled Servants Shekels Silver Supported WineJump to Next Bare Besides Bore Bread Burdens Chargeable Fear Former Forty Governors Laid Rule Ruled Servants Shekels Silver Supported WineNehemiah 5 1. The Jews complain of their debt, mortgage, and bondage6. Nehemiah rebukes the usurers, and causes them to make a covenant of restitution 14. He forbears his own allowance, and keeps hospitality The governors who preceded me This phrase refers to the leaders who held the position of governor before Nehemiah. Historically, these governors were likely appointed by the Persian Empire, which controlled the region during Nehemiah's time. The Hebrew word for "governors" is "פַּחֲוָה" (pachavah), indicating a provincial leader. These predecessors set a precedent of exploiting their authority for personal gain, a common practice in ancient Near Eastern governance, where leaders often enriched themselves at the expense of the populace. had heavily burdened the people taking forty shekels of silver from them in addition to food and wine Their assistants also oppressed the people but because I feared God I did not act that way So did not I, because of the tear of God.--Nehemiah contrasts his forbearance with the conduct of former governors; we cannot suppose him to mean Zorubbabel, but some of his successors. The practice he condemns was common among the satraps of the Persian princes. Note that usury and rigour were interdicted, in Leviticus 25:36; Leviticus 25:43, with the express sanction, "Fear thy God." Verse 15. - The former governors that had been before me. Of these, two only are known to us, Zerubbabel and Ezra; but it is probable that there had been others. Were chargeable unto the people. The words of the original are stronger, and should be rendered "had oppressed the people (ἐβάρυναν, LXX.), "had been heavy upon them. Had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels. Rather, "had taken from them, for bread and wine, above forty shekels." (So Ewald and Bertheau.) Forty shekels a day from the whole people would seem to be intended - not forty shekels a year from each person, as some explain. Even their servants bare rule. The oppression exercised by the domestics and other hangers-on of rulers is often worse than their own. This is especially the case in the East, where eunuchs and other domestics have been the most fearful tyrants. Haman under Xerxes, Sejanus under Tiberius, Narcissus under Nero, are examples. So did not I. I neither exacted money, nor allowed my servants to bear rule. Because of the fear of God. Because I felt that it would be wrong, either absolutely or under the circumstances.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew The governorsוְהַפַּחוֹת֩ (wə·hap·pa·ḥō·wṯ) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 6346: A governor before me לְפָנַ֜י (lə·p̄ā·nay) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular Strong's 6440: The face had heavily burdened הִכְבִּ֣ידוּ (hiḵ·bî·ḏū) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 3513: To be heavy, weighty, or burdensome the people, הָעָ֗ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock taking וַיִּקְח֨וּ (way·yiq·ḥū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 3947: To take from them מֵהֶ֜ם (mê·hem) Preposition-m | Pronoun - third person masculine plural Strong's 1992: They bread בְּלֶ֤חֶם (bə·le·ḥem) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain and wine וָיַ֙יִן֙ (wā·ya·yin) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3196: Wine, intoxication plus אַחַר֙ (’a·ḥar) Adverb Strong's 310: The hind or following part forty אַרְבָּעִ֔ים (’ar·bā·‘îm) Number - common plural Strong's 705: Forty shekels שְׁקָלִ֣ים (šə·qā·lîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 8255: A weight, a commercial standard of silver. כֶּֽסֶף־ (ke·sep̄-) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3701: Silver, money Their servants נַעֲרֵיהֶ֖ם (na·‘ă·rê·hem) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer also גַּ֥ם (gam) Conjunction Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and oppressed שָׁלְט֣וּ (šā·lə·ṭū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 7980: To dominate, govern, to permit the people, הָעָ֑ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock but I וַאֲנִי֙ (wa·’ă·nî) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 589: I did not לֹא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no do עָשִׂ֣יתִי (‘ā·śî·ṯî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 6213: To do, make this כֵ֔ן (ḵên) Adverb Strong's 3651: So -- thus because מִפְּנֵ֖י (mip·pə·nê) Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct Strong's 6440: The face of my fear יִרְאַ֥ת (yir·’aṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 3374: Fear, reverence of God. אֱלֹהִֽים׃ (’ĕ·lō·hîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative Links Nehemiah 5:15 NIVNehemiah 5:15 NLT Nehemiah 5:15 ESV Nehemiah 5:15 NASB Nehemiah 5:15 KJV Nehemiah 5:15 BibleApps.com Nehemiah 5:15 Biblia Paralela Nehemiah 5:15 Chinese Bible Nehemiah 5:15 French Bible Nehemiah 5:15 Catholic Bible OT History: Nehemiah 5:15 But the former governors who were before (Neh Ne) |
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