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 governors who served before me had burdened the people, taking their bread and wine plus forty pieces of silver from them. Even their servants had power over the people. But I didn't do this because I feared God.
Nehemiah is explaining that unlike previous governors who heavily taxed and mistreated the people, he chose not to abuse his power because he respected God.
📚 Historical Context
In the time of Nehemiah, the Jewish people had returned from exile in Babylon and were struggling to rebuild their community in Jerusalem under Persian rule, facing economic hardships and internal oppression. Previous governors had exploited their authority by imposing heavy taxes, taking food, wine, and money from the people, and even allowing their servants to dominate them, which worsened the suffering of the vulnerable. Nehemiah, as the current governor, set himself apart by refusing to engage in such practices, driven by his deep respect and fear of God.
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