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Nehemiah 5:15

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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.

But the former {H7223} governors {H6346} that had been before {H6440} me were chargeable {H3513} unto the people {H5971}, and had taken {H3947} of them bread {H3899} and wine {H3196}, beside {H310} forty {H705} shekels {H8255} of silver {H3701}; yea, even {H1571} their servants {H5288} bare rule {H7980} over the people {H5971}: but so did {H6213} not I, because {H6440} of the fear {H3374} of God {H430}.

The earlier governors, before me, had burdened the people, taxing them more than one-and-a-half pounds of silver shekels for food and wine; and even their servants lorded it over the people. But I didn't, because I feared God.

The governors before me had heavily burdened the people, taking from them bread and wine plus forty shekels of silver. Their servants also oppressed the people, but I did not do this because of my fear of God.

But the former governors that were before me were chargeable unto the people, and took of them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.

Commentary

Nehemiah 5:15 provides a powerful insight into the character and leadership of Nehemiah, contrasting his selfless approach with the oppressive practices of previous governors. This verse highlights Nehemiah's integrity and the foundational principle behind his actions: his deep reverence for God.

Context

This verse is situated within a broader narrative in Nehemiah Chapter 5 where the people of Judah, already burdened by the immense task of rebuilding Jerusalem's walls, faced severe economic hardship. Many had to mortgage their lands, sell their children into slavery, and borrow money to survive and pay taxes, as vividly described in Nehemiah 5:1-5. In this dire situation, the former governors had exploited their positions, extracting heavy taxes and provisions (bread, wine, and silver), and even allowing their servants to oppress the populace. Nehemiah, as the newly appointed governor, stood in stark contrast to this corruption, refusing to take his rightful allowance for twelve years, as mentioned in Nehemiah 5:14.

Key Themes

  • Righteous Leadership: Nehemiah exemplifies what it means to be a godly leader. Instead of enriching himself at the expense of the people, he prioritized their well-being and the successful completion of God's work. His leadership was marked by sacrifice and service, rather than personal gain.
  • Integrity and Selflessness: The verse sharply contrasts Nehemiah's conduct ("but so did not I") with that of his predecessors. His refusal to exploit his position for personal benefit demonstrates remarkable integrity and a selfless devotion to his mission and the people.
  • The Fear of God as a Motivator: The culminating phrase, "because of the fear of God," is the pivotal explanation for Nehemiah's upright conduct. This "fear" is not terror, but a profound reverence, awe, and respect for God’s holiness and commands. It compelled him to act justly and compassionately, understanding that his actions were accountable to a higher authority. This principle is echoed in other wisdom literature, such as Proverbs 16:6, which states that "by mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil."

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "fear of God" (Hebrew: יִרְאַת אֱלֹהִים, yir'at Elohim) is crucial. It signifies a deep, reverential awe that leads to moral uprightness, obedience, and a desire to please God. For Nehemiah, this wasn't mere piety but a powerful, practical deterrent against corruption and oppression. It meant living in a way that honored God's character and His concern for justice and the vulnerable.

Practical Application

Nehemiah 5:15 offers timeless lessons for all, especially those in positions of influence:

  • Leadership Accountability: Leaders, whether in government, business, or the church, are called to serve with integrity, prioritizing the welfare of those they lead over personal gain.
  • Moral Compass: A genuine "fear of God" (reverence and respect for His character) provides a strong moral compass, guiding individuals to make righteous choices even when it means personal sacrifice.
  • Compassion for the Vulnerable: Nehemiah's actions underscore the importance of protecting and caring for the marginalized and oppressed, rather than exploiting their vulnerabilities. This aligns with biblical principles of justice and mercy found throughout Scripture, such as in Micah 6:8.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Nehemiah 5:9 (9 votes)

    Also 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 50:10 (5 votes)

    ¶ Who [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 16:6 (5 votes)

    ¶ By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD [men] depart from evil.

  • Matthew 5:47 (4 votes)

    And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more [than others]? do not even the publicans so?

  • Job 31:23 (4 votes)

    For destruction [from] God [was] a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure.

  • Ecclesiastes 12:13 (4 votes)

    ¶ Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this [is] the whole [duty] of man.

  • Ecclesiastes 12:14 (4 votes)

    For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether [it be] good, or whether [it be] evil.