Nehemiah 5:18
Arabic 2016 (الكِتاب المُقَدَّس: التَّرْجَمَةُ العَرَبِيَّةُ المُبَسَّطَةُ)
وَكُنْتُ أُقَدِّمُ لَهُمْ يَوْمِيًّا لِيَأْكُلُوا ثَوْرًا وَسِتَّةَ خِرَافٍ وَبَعْضَ الدَّوَاجِنِ عَلَى حِسَابِي. وَبَعْدَ كُلِّ عَشْرَةِ أيَّامٍ كُنْتُ أُقَدِّمُ لَهُمْ جَمِيعَ أنْوَاعِ النَّبِيذِ بِكَمِّيَّاتٍ كَبِيرَةٍ. وَرُغْمَ هَذَا لَمْ أُطَالِبْ بِحِصَّةِ الوَالِي مِنْ طَعَامِ النَّاسِ، لِأنَّ العَمَلَ كَانَ مُرهِقًا لِهَذَا الشَّعْبِ.
What Does This Mean?
Nehemiah, a governor, shares that he was given a lot of food and wine daily, but he didn't take the usual governor's pay because the people were already struggling with heavy taxes and workloads. His key message is about self-sacrifice for the people's welfare.
Explained for Children
Imagine if you had a piggy bank full of coins, but instead of using those coins for yourself, you decided to keep them untouched because your friends didn't have enough money for snacks. That's what Nehemiah did for his people.
Historical Background
Nehemiah, who lived around 445-433 BCE, wrote this book during his tenure as governor of Judah. He was addressing a situation where the returning exiles were struggling with economic hardships, and he wanted to show his commitment to their well-being.
Living It Out Today
Consider a scenario where you are in charge of a community project. Instead of using your position to benefit yourself, you could use the resources to help the community thrive, much like Nehemiah did for his people.
Topics
leadershipservicesacrificecommunityfaithfulnessgovernance
Related Verses
2 Kings 6:8-12Esther 1:3-9Matthew 10:8-101 Corinthians 9:7-141 Timothy 5:17-18
Frequently Asked Questions
Why didn't Nehemiah take the bread of the governor?
Nehemiah refrained from taking the usual governor's pay because he saw that the people were already burdened by heavy taxes and workloads, and he wanted to ease their financial strain.
What does 'bread of the governor' mean in Nehemiah 5:18?
The phrase 'bread of the governor' refers to the food and other supplies a governor typically received as part of his job benefits, which Nehemiah chose not to take.
How did Nehemiah's actions impact the people?
By not taking his pay, Nehemiah showed his commitment to the well-being of the people and likely reduced their financial burden, thus fostering a sense of trust and respect among the community.
Can you give an example of how this verse can be applied in modern leadership?
A modern leader might choose to forgo a bonus or raise to invest in improving the working conditions or salaries of their team, demonstrating a commitment to the welfare of the people they lead.