Nehemiah 5:17 describes the significant number of people Nehemiah was feeding at his own expense while rebuilding Jerusalem. Let's break it down:
"Moreover there were at my table...": This establishes that Nehemiah hosted a large group for regular meals.
"...of the Jews and the rulers...": This identifies who was being fed: both ordinary Jewish people ("Jews") and the leaders or officials ("rulers") of the community. This indicates Nehemiah was supporting the entire community during a difficult time.
"...one hundred fifty men...": This is a specific number, highlighting the substantial scale of Nehemiah's hospitality. It's important to note that this likely refers to adult males, as women and children were often not counted in such tallies.
"...besides those who came to us from among the nations that were around us.": In addition to the 150 Jewish people and rulers, Nehemiah also hosted visitors from surrounding nations. This suggests a few possibilities:
Diplomacy: Nehemiah might have been trying to foster goodwill and peaceful relations with neighboring groups.
Curiosity: People from other nations may have been interested in seeing the rebuilding efforts firsthand.
Need: Some foreigners may have been seeking aid or refuge in Jerusalem.
In essence, Nehemiah 5:17 reveals the following:
Nehemiah's generosity: He personally funded a large communal meal for 150 Jewish men (plus potentially their families) and foreign visitors.
Nehemiah's leadership: This action demonstrates his commitment to supporting his people during the challenging time of rebuilding Jerusalem.
Nehemiah's diplomacy: He was open to interacting with and even feeding people from neighboring nations.
The verse highlights Nehemiah's character as a compassionate, generous, and dedicated leader who put the needs of his people first while also engaging with the surrounding world.
Nehemiah 5:17 describes the significant number of people Nehemiah was feeding at his own expense while rebuilding Jerusalem. Let's break it down:
"Moreover there were at my table...": This establishes that Nehemiah hosted a large group for regular meals.
"...of the Jews and the rulers...": This identifies who was being fed: both ordinary Jewish people ("Jews") and the leaders or officials ("rulers") of the community. This indicates Nehemiah was supporting the entire community during a difficult time.
"...one hundred fifty men...": This is a specific number, highlighting the substantial scale of Nehemiah's hospitality. It's important to note that this likely refers to adult males, as women and children were often not counted in such tallies.
"...besides those who came to us from among the nations that were around us.": In addition to the 150 Jewish people and rulers, Nehemiah also hosted visitors from surrounding nations. This suggests a few possibilities:
Diplomacy: Nehemiah might have been trying to foster goodwill and peaceful relations with neighboring groups.
Curiosity: People from other nations may have been interested in seeing the rebuilding efforts firsthand.
Need: Some foreigners may have been seeking aid or refuge in Jerusalem.
In essence, Nehemiah 5:17 reveals the following:
Nehemiah's generosity: He personally funded a large communal meal for 150 Jewish men (plus potentially their families) and foreign visitors.
Nehemiah's leadership: This action demonstrates his commitment to supporting his people during the challenging time of rebuilding Jerusalem.
Nehemiah's diplomacy: He was open to interacting with and even feeding people from neighboring nations.
The verse highlights Nehemiah's character as a compassionate, generous, and dedicated leader who put the needs of his people first while also engaging with the surrounding world.