Nehemiah 5:16

Nehemiah 5:16 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)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.
• New International Version (NIV)Instead, I devoted myself to the work on this wall. All my men were assembled there for the work; we did not acquire any land.
• English Standard Version (ESV)I also persevered in the work on this wall, and we acquired no land, and all my servants were gathered there for the work.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Indeed, I also continued the work on this wall, and we did not buy any land. All my servants were gathered there for the work.

Context of Nehemiah 5:16

14From the day that I was appointed governor in the land of Judah, that is, from the twentieth year until the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes – twelve years in all – neither I nor my relatives ate the food allotted to the governor. 15But 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. I gave myself to the work on this wall, without even purchasing a field. All my associates were gathered there for the work. 17There were 150 Jews and officials who dined with me routinely, in addition to those who came to us from the nations all around us. 18Every day one ox, six select sheep, and some birds were prepared for me, and every ten days all kinds of wine in abundance. Despite all this I did not require the food allotted to the governor, for the work was demanding on this people.

Nehemiah 5:16 word by word

וְ֠גַם בִּמְלֶ֜אכֶת הַחוֹמָ֤ה הַזֹּאת֙ הֶחֱזַ֔קְתִּי וְשָׂדֶ֖ה לֹ֣א קָנִ֑ינוּ וְכָל־נְעָרַ֔י קְבוּצִ֥ים שָׁ֖ם עַל־הַמְּלָאכָֽה׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Yea, also I continuedחָזַקchâzaq · to strengthen: persevereH2388
• in the workמְלָאכָהmelâ'kâh · workH4399
• of this wallחוֹמָהchômâh · wallH2346
• neither boughtקָנָהqânâh · to buyH7069
• we any landשָׂדֶהώâdeh ώâday · land: countryH7704
• and all my servantsנַ֫עַרna‛ar · youthH5288
• gatheredקָבַץqâbats · to gatherH6908

Cross-references for Nehemiah 5:16

• Luke 8:15But as for the seed that landed on good soil, these are the ones who, after hearing the word, cling to it with an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with steadfast endurance.
• Romans 2:7eternal life to those who by perseverance in good works seek glory and honor and immortality,
• 1 Corinthians 15:58So then, dear brothers and sisters, be firm. Do not be moved! Always be outstanding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
• Galatians 6:9So we must not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up.
• Numbers 16:15Moses was very angry, and he said to the Lord, “Have no respect for their offering! I have not taken so much as one donkey from them, nor have I harmed any one of them!”
• Acts 20:33I have desired no one’s silver or gold or clothing.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:5For we never appeared with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed – God is our witness –
• 2 Corinthians 12:16But be that as it may, I have not burdened you. Yet because I was a crafty person, I took you in by deceit!
• Philippians 2:20For there is no one here like him who will readily demonstrate his deep concern for you.

Commentaries on Nehemiah 5:16

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16Neither 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 the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16I continued … land - i. e. - “I took my share in the work of the wall, as general superintendent. I did not take advantage of the general poverty to buy poor men‘s plots of ground.”Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14-19Verses 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…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 14-19This section explains Nehemiah's steady approach to servant leadership and his personal generosity.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 6-196-12. I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words--When such disorders came to the knowledge of the governor, his honest indignation was roused against the perpetrators of the evil. Having summoned a public assembly, he denounced their conduct in terms of just severity. He contrasted it with his own in redeeming with his money some of the Jewish exiles who, through debt or otherwise, had lost their personal liberty in Babylon. He urged the…Read the comment

Topics related to Nehemiah 5:16

• Country
• Example
• Integrity
• Kindness
• Unselfishness

In the dictionaries

• Jubilee
• Shake
• Versions, Georgian, Gothic, Slavonic

Commentaries on Nehemiah 5

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings