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 Living Translation (NLT)I also devoted myself to working on the wall and refused to acquire any land. And I required all my servants to spend time working on the wall.

Context of Nehemiah 5:16

14Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year until the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes, twelve years, neither I nor my brothers ate the governor’s provisions. 15But 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. 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. 17And at my table were one hundred and fifty Jews and rulers, besides those who came to us from the nations around us. 18Now that which was prepared daily was one ox and six choice sheep. Also fowl were prepared for me, and once every ten days an abundance of all kinds of wine. Yet in spite of this I did not demand the governor’s provisions, because the bondage was heavy 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 the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.
• Romans 2:7eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality;
• 1 Corinthians 15:58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
• Galatians 6:9And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
• Numbers 16:15Then Moses was very angry, and said to the Lord, “Do not respect their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them, nor have I hurt one of them.”
• Acts 20:33I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:5For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness.
• 2 Corinthians 12:16But be that as it may, I did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you by cunning!
• Philippians 2:20For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state.

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