Key Verse Spotlight
Nehemiah 5:15 — Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing—and how to apply it today
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. "
Nehemiah 5:15
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise.
Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor.
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.
Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered thither unto the work.
Moreover there were at my table an hundred and fifty of the Jews and rulers, beside those that came unto us from among the heathen that are about us.
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From This Chapter
Nehemiah 5:1
"And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews."
Nehemiah 5:2
"For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, are many: therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat, and live."
Nehemiah 5:3
"Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth."
Nehemiah 5:4
"There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards."
Nehemiah 5:5
"Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards."
Nehemiah 5:6
"And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words."
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