Bible Strands
Nehemiah 5:14
Furthermore, from the day King Artaxerxes appointed me to be their governor in the land of Judah, from his twentieth year until his thirty-second year (twelve years total), neither I nor my brothers ate the food allotted to the governor.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Nehemiah addresses the assembled leaders and citizens of Judah immediately after concluding a public rebuke and oath regarding economic exploitation. He speaks in his capacity as the governor appointed by King Arterxes, clarifying his personal financial conduct during his twelve-year administration.
The words — The Hebrew פֶּחָם (pecham) identifies the official governorship Nehemiah held, while גַּם (gam) stresses that neither he nor his brothers consumed the governor's food allotment. These terms anchor his claim of voluntary financial restraint directly to his appointed office.
The thread — This refusal to claim provisions aligns with Nehemiah’s later departure to Babylon in Artaxerxes’ thirty-second year (Nehemiah 13:6) and mirrors the New Testament practice of waiving material rights for ministry (1 Corinthians 9:4, 18). The pattern links administrative authority with deliberate economic self-denial.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to verify whether those in authority exploit their position for personal sustenance or absorb costs to protect the community. It demands measurable accountability in how leadership is funded and exercised.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor.
Cross-references
- Nehemiah 13:6 While all this was happening, I was not in Jerusalem, because I had returned to Artaxerxes king of Babylon in the thirty-second year of his reign. Some time later I obtained leave from the king
- 1 Corinthians 9:4 Have we no right to food and to drink?
- 1 Corinthians 9:18 What then is my reward? That in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not use up my rights in preaching it.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:8 nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, in labor and toil, we worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you.
- Ezra 4:13 Let it now be known to the king that if that city is rebuilt and its walls are restored, they will not pay tribute, duty, or toll, and the royal treasury will suffer.
- Nehemiah 2:1 Now in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was set before him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had never been sad in his presence,
- Romans 13:6 This is also why you pay taxes. For the authorities are God’s servants, who devote themselves to their work.