Nehemiah 5:15

¹⁵ But the earlier governors-those preceding me-placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels [1] 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.

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Other Translations of Nehemiah 5:15

King James Version

¹⁵ 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.

English Standard Version

¹⁵ The former governors who were before me laid heavy burdens on the people and took from them for their daily rationCompare Vulgate; Hebrew took from them with food and wine afterward forty shekelsA shekel was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams of silver. Even their servants lorded it over the people. But I did not do so, because of the fear of God.

The Message

¹⁵ Governors who had preceded me had oppressed the people by taxing them forty shekels of silver (about a pound) a day for food and wine while their underlings bullied the people unmercifully. But out of fear of God I did none of that.

New King James Version

¹⁵ 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 Living Translation

¹⁵ 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.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Nehemiah 5:15

Commentary on Nehemiah 5:14-19

(Read Nehemiah 5:14-19)

Those who truly fear God, will not dare to do any thing cruel or unjust. Let all who are in public places remember that they are so placed to do good, not to enrich themselves. Nehemiah mentions it to God in prayer, not as if he had merited any favour from God, but to show that he depended upon God only, to make up to him what he had lost and laid out for his honour. Nehemiah evidently spake and acted as one that knew himself to be a sinner. He did not mean to claim a reward as of debt, but in the manner that the Lord rewards a cup of cold water given to a disciple for his sake. The fear and love of God in the heart, and true love of the brethren, will lead to every good work. These are proper evidences of justifying faith; and our reconciled God will look upon persons of this character for good, according to all they have done for his people.