Nehemiah 5:14
What does Nehemiah 5:14 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 5:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 5:14 means
Nehemiah testifies that during his twelve years as governor—from the twentieth to the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes—he and his brothers did not take the governor’s allowance. The “bread of the governor” was a legitimate provision, yet he declined it to avoid burdening the already strained people. This personal disclosure is not self-promotion but evidence that the leader lived the very ethic he demanded from others. He models sacrificial restraint, showing that authority can be exercised without extracting privileges, especially when the community is under heavy load.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Moreover 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Moreover 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Moreover 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Now from the time when I was made ruler of the people in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year till the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes the king, for twelve years, I and my servants have never taken the food which was the right of the ruler.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Also, from the day that he appointed me to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the thirty and second year of Artaxerxes the king--twelve years--I, and my brethren, the bread of the governor have not eaten:
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And from the day, in which the king commanded me to be governor in the land of Juda, from the twentieth year even to the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, for twelve years, I and my brethren did not eat the yearly allowance that was due to the governors.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even to the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes the king, twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor.
Context
After the public reforms of verses 7–13, verses 14–19 present Nehemiah’s private conduct as governor. Verse 14 sets the timeframe and the central claim: he declined his rightful support. Verse 15 will contrast his practice with former governors who were heavy on the people, and verses 16–18 will detail his labor, avoidance of profiteering, hospitality, and refusal to demand the allowance. The section culminates in a prayer in verse 19, tying integrity to God’s approval.
v.13Also I shook out my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labor, that performeth not this promise; even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the assembly said, Amen, and praised Jehovah. And the people did according to this promise.
v.14This passage
v.15But 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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:8
neither did we eat bread for nought at any man’s hand, but in labor and travail, working night and day, that we might not burden any of you:
- Ezra 4:13
Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and in the end it will be hurtful unto the kings.
- 1 Corinthians 9:4
Have we no right to eat and to drink?
- 1 Corinthians 9:18
What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel without charge, so as not to use to the full my right in the gospel.
- Nehemiah 13:6
But in all this time I was not at Jerusalem; for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I went unto the king: and after certain days asked I leave of the king,
- Nehemiah 2:1
And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, when wine was before him, that I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Nehemiah 5
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Nehemiah 5.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Confession of Sin
Confession of sin is an essential step in drawing near to God and receiving His forgiveness and cleansing.
Topic
Bible Verses About Fasting
Fasting in the Bible is a spiritual discipline involving abstinence from food for a period, often coupled with prayer and repentance.
What the Bible says about…