Instead, I devoted myself to the construction of the wall, and all my servants were gathered there for the work; we did not acquire any land.
Parallel translations
- WEB Yes, I also continued in the work of this wall. We didn’t buy any land. All my servants were gathered there to the work.
- KJV 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.
- NKJV Indeed, I also continued the work on this wall, and we did not buy any land. All my servants were gathered there for the work.
- NASB I also applied myself to the work on this wall; we did not buy any land, and all my servants were gathered there for the work.
- NLT I also devoted myself to working on the wall and refused to acquire any land. And I required all my servants to spend time working on the wall.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Nehemiah devoted himself to the wall and refused to acquire land, with all his servants joined to the work. He sought the people's good, not personal gain.
Overview
Rather than use his position to enrich himself through land, Nehemiah and his servants poured their energy into rebuilding. His refusal to profit from his office stands in sharp contrast to the exploiters he rebuked. This disinterested service for the common good embodies the integrity that gives leadership genuine moral authority.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- Gal 6:9Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
- 1 Th 2:5–6As you know, we never used words of flattery or any pretext for greed. God is our witness!
- Acts 20:33–35I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.
- 1 Cor 15:58Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
- Phil 2:20–21I have nobody else like him who will genuinely care for your needs.
- 2 Cor 12:16–18Be that as it may, I was not a burden to you; but crafty as I am, I caught you by trickery.
- Rom 2:7To those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life.
- Luke 8:15But the seeds on good soil are those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, cling to it, and by persevering produce a crop.
- Num 16:15Then Moses became very angry and said to the LORD, “Do not regard their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them or mistreated a single one of them.”
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The rebuilt walls and renewed covenant community foreshadow the greater builder who gathers and secures a people for God, the one who declares 'I will build my church.'
How Nehemiah 5:16 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.