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

14Moreover, from the day when I was appointed to be the governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes—twelve years—neither I, nor my relatives have eaten the bread allocated to the governor. 15The earlier governors, those preceding me, placed heavy burdens on the people, and took bread and wine from them, in addition to forty shekels of silver. Their attendants also lorded over the people. But I did not do so, out of fear of God. Instead, I devoted myself to the work on this wall, without even buying a field. All my attendants were gathered there for the work. 17Furthermore, 150 Judeans and officials, as well as those that came to us from the nations around us, were at my table. 18Now, each day one ox and six choice sheep, as well as some fowl, were prepared for me, and every ten days an abundance of every kind of wine was prepared. Despite all this, I did not require the governor’s food allowance, because the work was already 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 seed in the good soil are those with a praiseworthy and good heart, who have heard the word and hold it fast and bear fruit with patient endurance.
• Romans 2:7To those who by perseverance in doing good are seeking glory, honor, and immortality—eternal life.
• 1 Corinthians 15:58Therefore, my dearly loved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord—because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
• Galatians 6:9So let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we don’t give up.
• Numbers 16:15Then Moses became very angry and said to Adonai, “Do not accept their offering. I haven’t taken from them a single donkey, nor have I wronged one of them!”
• Acts 20:33I coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothing.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:5For as you know and God is witness, we never came with a word of flattery or a motive of greed—
• 2 Corinthians 12:16But be that as it may, I did not burden you myself. Nevertheless, crafty fellow that I am, I caught you with trickery!
• Philippians 2:20I have no one else like him who will genuinely care about 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