Nehemiah 5:15 - But the former governors who were before me were supported by the people, and took bread and wine from them, plus forty shekels of silver; yes, even their servants ruled over the people; but I didn’t do so, because of the fear of God.
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What does "Nehemiah 5:15" mean?
Nehemiah 5:15 reveals a contrast between Nehemiah's leadership and that of his predecessors as governor of Judah. Let's break it down:
"But the former governors who were before me were supported by the people, and took bread and wine from them, plus forty shekels of silver...": This describes the practice of previous governors. They were entitled to certain provisions and financial support from the people they governed. This likely included:
Bread and wine: Staple food and drink, representing a basic sustenance tax.
Forty shekels of silver: A fixed sum of money, potentially a daily or monthly allowance. This could be a significant burden, especially for poorer families.
In other words, the prior governors used their position to enrich themselves at the expense of the populace.
"...yes, even their servants ruled over the people...": This suggests the former governors' officials were also corrupt and abused their authority. They took advantage of the people, possibly through extortion, oppression, or unjust demands. The burden wasn't just the official taxes, but also the unofficial demands of the governor's staff. This highlights a system where those in power (and their underlings) exploited the governed.
"...but I didn’t do so, because of the fear of God.": This is the crucial contrast. Nehemiah refused to take the customary provisions and financial support. His motivation was "the fear of God." This meant:
He respected God's laws and principles of justice.
He did not want to burden the people, especially those already struggling to rebuild Jerusalem.
He understood that his power was a trust from God, not a license to exploit.
He wanted to be a just and righteous leader, pleasing to God rather than seeking personal gain.
In essence, the verse highlights the following:
Prior governors were self-serving and exploitative.
Nehemiah chose a different path, motivated by his devotion to God.
His leadership was characterized by selflessness and a concern for the well-being of his people.
The verse serves as an example of Nehemiah's integrity and godly leadership, a stark contrast to the corruption that had apparently been present before his arrival. It underscores his commitment to serving the people rather than being served by them, all driven by his fear (or reverence) for God.
Nehemiah 5:15 - But the former governors who were before me were supported by the people, and took bread and wine from them, plus forty shekels of silver; yes, even their servants ruled over the people; but I didn’t do so, because of the fear of God.
What does "Nehemiah 5:15" mean?
Nehemiah 5:15 reveals a contrast between Nehemiah's leadership and that of his predecessors as governor of Judah. Let's break it down:
"But the former governors who were before me were supported by the people, and took bread and wine from them, plus forty shekels of silver...": This describes the practice of previous governors. They were entitled to certain provisions and financial support from the people they governed. This likely included:
Bread and wine: Staple food and drink, representing a basic sustenance tax.
Forty shekels of silver: A fixed sum of money, potentially a daily or monthly allowance. This could be a significant burden, especially for poorer families.
In other words, the prior governors used their position to enrich themselves at the expense of the populace.
"...yes, even their servants ruled over the people...": This suggests the former governors' officials were also corrupt and abused their authority. They took advantage of the people, possibly through extortion, oppression, or unjust demands. The burden wasn't just the official taxes, but also the unofficial demands of the governor's staff. This highlights a system where those in power (and their underlings) exploited the governed.
"...but I didn’t do so, because of the fear of God.": This is the crucial contrast. Nehemiah refused to take the customary provisions and financial support. His motivation was "the fear of God." This meant:
He respected God's laws and principles of justice.
He did not want to burden the people, especially those already struggling to rebuild Jerusalem.
He understood that his power was a trust from God, not a license to exploit.
He wanted to be a just and righteous leader, pleasing to God rather than seeking personal gain.
In essence, the verse highlights the following:
Prior governors were self-serving and exploitative.
Nehemiah chose a different path, motivated by his devotion to God.
His leadership was characterized by selflessness and a concern for the well-being of his people.
The verse serves as an example of Nehemiah's integrity and godly leadership, a stark contrast to the corruption that had apparently been present before his arrival. It underscores his commitment to serving the people rather than being served by them, all driven by his fear (or reverence) for God.