"Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto…" — Nehemiah 5:14

Nehemiah 5:14 · KJV

“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.”

— Nehemiah 5:14

Verse 13

Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise. {emptied: Heb. empty, or, void}

Verse 15

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.

Nehemiah 5 — Context

Then said they, We will restore {them}, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise.

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.

Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants {were} gathered thither unto the work.

Cross References

Nehemiah 13:6

But in all this {time} was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king: {after...: Heb. at the end of days} {obtained...: or, I earnestly requested}

2 Thessalonians 3:8-9

Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:

1 Corinthians 9:18

What is my reward then? {Verily} that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

1 Corinthians 9:4-15

Have we not power to eat and to drink?

Nehemiah 2:1

And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, {that} wine {was} before him: and I took up the wine, and gave {it} unto the king. Now I had not been {beforetime} sad in his presence.

Ezra 4:13-14

Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up {again, then} will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and {so} thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings. {pay: Chaldee, give} {revenue: or, strength}

Romans 13:6-7

For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.