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.
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.
- BSB 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.
- 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.
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 be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don’t give up.
- 1 Th 2:5–6For neither were we at any time found using words of flattery, as you know, nor a cloak of covetousness (God is witness),
- Acts 20:33–35I coveted no one’s silver, or gold, or clothing.
- 1 Cor 15:58Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
- Phil 2:20–21For I have no one else like-minded, who will truly care about you.
- 2 Cor 12:16–18But be it so, I did not myself burden you. But, being crafty, I caught you with deception.
- Rom 2:7to those who by perseverance in well-doing seek for glory, honor, and incorruptibility, eternal life;
- Luke 8:15That in the good ground, these are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it tightly, and produces fruit with patience.
- Num 16:15Moses was very angry, and said to Yahweh, “Don’t respect their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them, neither have I hurt 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.