Nehemiah 5:17
What does Nehemiah 5:17 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 5:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 5:17 means
Nehemiah’s table regularly fed one hundred and fifty Jewish leaders and additional visitors from surrounding nations. This reveals remarkable hospitality and diplomatic openness during a demanding project. Providing for many without imposing extra taxes displays both generosity and wise governance, building unity among Jews and fostering peace with neighbors. The verse shows that leadership often includes unseen costs borne personally. Nehemiah does not trumpet luxury; he recounts service that strengthened the community and its relations, advancing the work without multiplying the people’s burdens.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Moreover 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Moreover there were at my table an hundred and fifty of the Jews and rulers, beside those that came unto us from among the heathen that are about us.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Moreover 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And more than this, a hundred and fifty of the Jews and the rulers were guests at my table, in addition to those who came to us from the nations round about us.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and of the Jews, and of the prefects, a hundred and fifty men, and those coming in unto us of the nations that <FI>are<Fi> round about us, <FI>are<Fi> at my table;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The Jews also and the magistrates to the number of one hundred and fifty men, were at my table, besides them that came to us from among the nations that were round about us.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And there were at my table a hundred and fifty of the Jews and the rulers, besides those that came to us from among the nations that were about us.
Context
Following his refusal to take the governor’s bread and to buy land (verses 14–16), verse 17 highlights Nehemiah’s positive generosity. He hosted many at his table, including rulers and foreign visitors, which would have been costly. Verse 18 will quantify the daily provision and reiterate that he still did not demand the allowance because the people’s bondage was heavy. The narrative builds a comprehensive picture of integrity matched with liberality.
v.16Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered thither unto the work.
v.17This passage
v.18Now that which was prepared for one day was one ox and six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this I demanded not the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 32:8
But the noble deviseth noble things; and in noble things shall he continue.
- Romans 12:13
communicating to the necessities of the saints; given to hospitality.
- 1 Peter 4:9
using hospitality one to another without murmuring:
- 2 Samuel 9:7
And David said unto him, Fear not; for I will surely show thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.
- 1 Kings 18:19
Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the Asherah four hundred, that eat at Jezebel’s table.
- 2 Samuel 9:13
So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem; for he did eat continually at the king’s table. And he was lame in both his feet.
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