Nehemiah 5:14

“Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, etc.] That is, by the king of Persia, which was not done when he was first sent into Judea; but very probably when he had finished the wall in fifty two days, he returned to Persia, and gave the king an account of his success, and how things stood in those parts, when he judged it necessary to send him again in the character of a governor, and which was still within the same year, as follows: from the twentieth year, even unto the thirty second year of Artaxerxes, that is, twelve years; (see <161306> Nehemiah 13:6). I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor; which was fit and proper for…”

“Moreover from the time that I was appointed . . . I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor--We have a remarkable proof both of the opulence and the disinterestedness of Nehemiah. As he declined, on conscientious grounds, to accept the lawful emoluments attached to his government, and yet maintained a style of princely hospitality for twelve years out of his own resources, it is evident that his office of cup-bearer at the court of Shushan must have been very lucrative.”

“Have not eaten the bread of the governor - i. e. “have not, like other Persian governors, lived at the expense of the people under my government.” See Ezra 4:14 note. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Twelve years - Not that he continued so long together at Jerusalem, but he so long governed Jerusalem by himself when present, and in his absence, by a deputy. The bread - That allowance which by the laws of God and nations, and of the king of Persia, the governors might require. Nehemiah 5:15”

“5:14-19 This section describes Nehemiah’s consistent policy of servant leadership and personal generosity. 5:14 This is the first mention of Nehemiah’s status as governor, a position not mentioned when the king first sent Nehemiah to Jerusalem. • Persia’s government officials usually drew an official food allowance from the local population, but Nehemiah and his associates instead purchased food out of their regular pay.”

“from the twentieth: Neh 2:1, Neh 13:6 I and my: Co1 9:4-15, Co1 9:18; Th2 3:8, Th2 3:9 the bread: Ezr 4:13, Ezr 4:14; Rom 13:6, Rom 13:7 Nehemiah 5:15”

“Nehemiah's unselfish conduct. - The transaction above related gave Nehemiah occasion to speak in his narrative of the unselfishness with which he had filled the office of governor, and of the personal sacrifices he had made for the good of his fellow-countrymen. Neh 5:14 The statement following is compared with the special occurrence preceding it by גּם. As in this occurrence he had used his credit to do away with the oppression of the people by wealthy usurers, so also had he shown himself unselfish during his whole official career, and shunned no sacrifice by which he might lighten the burdens that lay upon his fellow-countrymen. "From the time that he appointed me to be their governor in…”