Nehemiah 5:16
What does Nehemiah 5:16 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 5:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 5:16 means
Nehemiah stayed personally engaged in the wall’s construction, refusing opportunities to enrich himself through land purchases. He also directed his servants to focus on the work rather than on personal gain. This verse reveals a leader whose priorities were aligned with the mission, not self-advancement. In a time when land could be snapped up from distressed owners, he abstained to avoid conflict of interest and to protect public trust. His example curbs suspicion and inspires diligence, showing that integrity involves both what a leader does and what he deliberately declines to do.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered thither unto the work.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered thither unto the work.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered thither unto the work.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And I kept on with the work of this wall, and we got no land for ourselves: and all my servants were helping with the work.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And also, in the work of this wall I have done mightily, even a field we have not bought, and all my servants are gathered there for the work;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Moreover I built in the work of the wall, and I bought no land, and all my servants were gathered together to the work.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Yea, also I applied myself to this work of the wall, and we bought no fields; and all my servants were gathered thither for the work.
Context
After contrasting himself with former governors in verse 15, verse 16 offers concrete practices: active participation in the work, and refusal to buy land during a vulnerable season. This buttresses his credibility as he called others to restitution. Verses 17–18 will add the dimension of hospitality—how he personally bore the cost of feeding many—while still not taking the governor’s allowance. The flow demonstrates integrity on multiple fronts: finances, labor, and care for others.
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.
v.16This passage
v.17Moreover there were at my table, of the Jews and the rulers, a hundred and fifty men, besides those that came unto us from among the nations that were round about us.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Philippians 2:20
For I have no man likeminded, who will care truly for your state.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:5
For neither at any time were we found using words of flattery, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness, God is witness;
- 2 Corinthians 12:16
But be it so, I did not myself burden you; but, being crafty, I caught you with guile.
- Numbers 16:15
And Moses was very wroth, and said unto Jehovah, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.
- Romans 2:7
to them that by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and incorruption, eternal life:
- Acts 20:33
I coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.
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