Nehemiah 5:15
But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.
Original Language Analysis
הָרִֽאשֹׁנִ֨ים
But the former
H7223
הָרִֽאשֹׁנִ֨ים
But the former
Strong's:
H7223
Word #:
2 of 27
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
3 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
מִפְּנֵ֖י
not I because
H6440
מִפְּנֵ֖י
not I because
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
4 of 27
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
הִכְבִּ֣ידוּ
me were chargeable
H3513
הִכְבִּ֣ידוּ
me were chargeable
Strong's:
H3513
Word #:
5 of 27
to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
6 of 27
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הָעָ֑ם
over the people
H5971
הָעָ֑ם
over the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
7 of 27
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וַיִּקְח֨וּ
and had taken
H3947
וַיִּקְח֨וּ
and had taken
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
8 of 27
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
בְּלֶ֤חֶם
of them bread
H3899
בְּלֶ֤חֶם
of them bread
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
10 of 27
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
וָיַ֙יִן֙
and wine
H3196
וָיַ֙יִן֙
and wine
Strong's:
H3196
Word #:
11 of 27
wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication
אַחַר֙
beside
H310
אַחַר֙
beside
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
12 of 27
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
כֶּֽסֶף
of silver
H3701
כֶּֽסֶף
of silver
Strong's:
H3701
Word #:
13 of 27
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
שְׁקָלִ֣ים
shekels
H8255
שְׁקָלִ֣ים
shekels
Strong's:
H8255
Word #:
14 of 27
probably a weight; used as a commercial standard
גַּ֥ם
yea even
H1571
גַּ֥ם
yea even
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
16 of 27
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
נַֽעֲרֵיהֶ֖ם
their servants
H5288
נַֽעֲרֵיהֶ֖ם
their servants
Strong's:
H5288
Word #:
17 of 27
(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit
שָֽׁלְט֣וּ
bare rule
H7980
שָֽׁלְט֣וּ
bare rule
Strong's:
H7980
Word #:
18 of 27
to dominate, i.e., govern; by implication, to permit
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
19 of 27
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הָעָ֑ם
over the people
H5971
הָעָ֑ם
over the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
20 of 27
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
22 of 27
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
עָשִׂ֣יתִי
but so did
H6213
עָשִׂ֣יתִי
but so did
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
23 of 27
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
כֵ֔ן
H3651
כֵ֔ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
24 of 27
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
מִפְּנֵ֖י
not I because
H6440
מִפְּנֵ֖י
not I because
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
25 of 27
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
Cross References
Nehemiah 5:9Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies?Isaiah 50:10Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.Proverbs 16:6By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.Job 31:23For destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure.Matthew 5:47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?2 Corinthians 11:9And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.Psalms 112:1Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.Psalms 147:11The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.Proverbs 29:12If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.2 Corinthians 12:13For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.
Historical Context
Nehemiah's account occurs during Persian imperial dominance (539-331 BC), specifically 445-433 BC under Artaxerxes I. The 52-day wall completion represents remarkable achievement given opposition and limited resources. Excavations have confirmed portions of Nehemiah's wall and various gates mentioned in the text. The Persian period was crucial transitional time when Jewish identity shifted from monarchical nationalism to Torah-centered covenantal community. Without political independence, the people's cohesion depended on shared scripture, temple worship, and covenant obedience. This established patterns persisting through the Second Temple period into New Testament times. Understanding this context illuminates Jesus's ministry among a people shaped by these reforms and challenges.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Nehemiah 5:15 deepen your understanding of God's character and His work in human history?
- What specific action or attitude change does this verse call you to make in your walk with God?
- How can the principles demonstrated in this passage inform your response to current challenges in your life or church?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.
This verse within Nehemiah 5 addresses themes of justice, integrity, selfless leadership, economic reform. Internal crisis threatens to destroy what external opposition could not—economic exploitation requiring bold reforming leadership. This passage demonstrates biblical principles applicable across both testaments—God's sovereignty combined with human responsibility, faith expressed through obedient action, and the necessity of both individual and corporate commitment to covenant faithfulness. Nehemiah models leadership that combines vision, prayer, courage, integrity, and perseverance amid sustained opposition.