Nehemiah 5:14

Moreover from the time that. was appointed, &c. Nehemiah 5:14 are put within brackets for the following reasons:

As Nehemiah's record must have been written many years later, after the dedication both of the Temple (405 B.C.) and the Wall (403 B.C.), the reference to his policy during the twelve years of his governorship, from the twentieth to the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes (Darius Hystaspis, 419-407 B. C), is introduced here, in order to emphasize the contrast between the rapacity of "the nobles and rulers" (Nehemiah 5:7), and his own conduct. For he says that, not only at that time (454 B.C.) did he not exploit the people for his own advantage, but that during his governorship (which ended in 407 B. C, some four or five years at least before the time of his writing the final record, more than forty years later than 454), when, according to Eastern views, he would have been justified in getting as much as he could out of his office, he not only lived entirely at his own charges but supported others also. See note below on Nehemiah 13:4.

time. day.

governor. Pasha.

from the twentieth year. See App-50. (5).

Artaxerxes. the great king, viz. Astyages. See notes on p. 618, and App-57.

the bread of the governor. The supplies due to him from the people.