Nehemiah 5:14-18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Nehemiah 5:14-19

Nehemiah had mentioned his own practice, as an inducement to the nobles not to burden the poor, no, not with just demands; here he relates more particularly what his practice was, not inn pride or vain-glory, nor to pass a compliment upon himself, but as an inducement both to his successors and to the inferior magistrates to be as tender as might be of the people's ease. I. He intimates what had been the way of his predecessors, Neh. 5:15. He does not name them, because what he had to say of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 5:14

Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah ,.... 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 5:15

But the former governors, that had been before me, were chargeable to the people ,.... Between him and Zerubbabel, for Ezra was no governor; according to the Jewish chronology F13 Seder Olam Zuta, p. 108,109. , when Ezra came to Jerusalem, Zerubbabel returned to Babylon, and there died, and his son Methullam was in his stead, and after him succeeded Hananiah his son: and had taken of them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver ; which amounted to between four and five... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 5:16

Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall ,.... Of building the wall of Jerusalem; here he gave his constant attendance to direct and encourage the workmen, and see that they kept to their work, and did it well: neither bought we any land ; neither he nor the principal men with him, though they could have bought it cheap, but they chose not to take the advantage of the poverty of the people: and all my servants were gathered thither unto the work : all were employed in it,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 5:17

Moreover, there were at my table an hundred and fifty of the Jews and rulers ,.... Every day at his own cost, which must be considerable to provide for such a number, and of such rank: besides those that came unto us from among the Heathen that are about us ; who were proselytes, and came thither to worship, or on a civil account, to give intelligence, and take directions. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 5:18

Now that which was prepared for me daily was one ox and six choice sheep ,.... Or fat ones; of beef and mutton a considerable quantity, abundantly sufficient for his guests and servants, and shows what a good table he kept: also fowls were prepared for me ; what number is not said: and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine ; the country afforded; that is, either once in ten days his stock of wine was renewed, or a more liberal entertainment was made, a banquet of wine, Esther... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 5:14

I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor . - From what is related here, and in the following verse, we find that the table of the governor was always supplied by the people with bread and wine; and, besides, they had forty shekels per diem for their other expenses. The people were also greatly oppressed by the servants and officers of the governor; but, during the twelve years that Nehemiah had been with them, he took not this salary, and ate none of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 5:16

Neither bought we any land - Neither he nor his officers took any advantage of the necessities of the people, to buy their lands, etc. He even made his own servants to work at the wall. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 5:17

A hundred and fifty of the Jews - He kept open house, entertained all comers; besides having one hundred and fifty Jews who had their food constantly at his table, and at his expense. To be able to bear all these expenses, no doubt Nehemiah had saved money while he was cup-bearer to the Persian king in Susa. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 5:18

One ox , and six choice sheep - This was food sufficient for more than two hundred men. Once in ten days store of all sorts of wine - It is supposed that every tenth day they drank wine; at all other times they drank water; unless we suppose the meaning of the phrase to be, that his servants laid in a stock of wine every ten days. Though the Asiatics drank sparingly of wine, yet it is not very likely that, in a case such as that above, wine was tasted only... read more

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