Nehemiah 5:14-19
New English Translation
14 From the day that I was appointed[a] governor[b] in the land of Judah, that is, from the twentieth year until the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes—twelve years in all—neither I nor my relatives[c] ate the food allotted to the governor.[d] 15 But the former governors who preceded me had burdened the people and had taken food and wine from them, in addition to[e] forty shekels of silver. Their associates were also domineering over the people. But I did not behave in this way, due to my fear of God. 16 I gave myself to the work on this wall, without even purchasing[f] a field. All my associates were gathered there for the work.
17 There were 150 Jews and officials who dined with me routinely,[g] in addition to those who came to us from the nations[h] all around us. 18 Every day one ox, six select sheep, and some birds were prepared for me, and every ten days all kinds of wine in abundance. Despite all this I did not require the food allotted to the governor, for the work was demanding on this people.
19 Please remember me for good, O my God, for all that I have done for this people.
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- Nehemiah 5:14 tc The BHS editors suggest reading צֻוֵּאתִי (tsuvveʾti, “and I was appointed”) rather than the reading of the MT, אֹתִי צִוָּה (tsivvah ʾoti, “he appointed me”).
- Nehemiah 5:14 tc The translation reads with one medieval Hebrew ms פֶּחָה (pekhah, “governor”) rather than פֶּחָם (pekham, “their governor”) of the MT. One would expect the form with pronominal suffix to have a tav (ת) before the suffix.
- Nehemiah 5:14 tn Heb “brothers.”
- Nehemiah 5:14 tn Heb “the food of the governor.” Cf. v. 18.
- Nehemiah 5:15 tc The Hebrew term אַחַר (ʾakhar) is difficult here. It normally means “after,” but that makes no sense here. Some scholars emend it to אַחַד (ʾakhad) and supply the word “day,” which yields the sense “daily.” Cf. TEV “40 silver coins a day for food and wine.”
- Nehemiah 5:16 tn Heb “we did not purchase.”
- Nehemiah 5:17 tn Heb “officials at my table.”
- Nehemiah 5:17 tn Or “from the Gentiles.” The same Hebrew word can refer to “the Gentiles” or “the nations.” Cf. the phrase in 6:16.
Nehemiah 5:14-19
English Standard Version
Nehemiah's Generosity
14 Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from (A)the twentieth year to (B)the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes the king, twelve years, (C)neither I nor my brothers ate the food allowance of the governor. 15 The former governors who were before me laid heavy burdens on the people and took from them for their daily ration[a] forty shekels[b] of silver. Even their servants lorded it over the people. But I did not do so, (D)because of the fear of God. 16 I also persevered in the work on this wall, and we acquired no land, and all my servants were gathered there for the work. 17 Moreover, there were (E)at my table 150 men, Jews and officials, besides those who came to us from the nations that were around us. 18 (F)Now what was prepared at my expense[c] for each day was one ox and six choice sheep and birds, and every ten days all kinds of wine in abundance. Yet for all this (G)I did not demand the food allowance of the governor, because the service was too heavy on this people. 19 (H)Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this people.
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- Nehemiah 5:15 Compare Vulgate; Hebrew took from them for food and wine after
- Nehemiah 5:15 A shekel was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams
- Nehemiah 5:18 Or prepared for me
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