Nehemiah 5:17
in Nehemiah 5There were 150 Jews and officials at my table, besides the guests from the surrounding nations.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
Moreover there were at my table, of the Jews and the rulers, a hundred and fifty men, besides those that came unto us from among the nations that were round about us.
KJV
Moreover there were at my table an hundred and fifty of the Jews and rulers, beside those that came unto us from among the heathen that are about us.
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This verse in Nehemiah 5
Commentary
6 notes on this verseA hundred and fifty of the Jews - He kept open house, entertained all comers; besides having one hundred and fifty Jews who had their food constantly at his table, and at his expense. To be able to bear all these expenses, no doubt Nehemiah had saved money while he was cup-bearer to the Persian king in Susa.
This site's exposition
There were 150 Jews and officials at my table
on Nehemiah 5:17-18
The ledger widens into a daily account: "150 Jews and officials" ate at his table "besides the guests from the surrounding nations" (5:17). He did not demand "the food allotted to the governor," and the reason is mercy: "because the burden on the people was so heavy."
The record, by era
The Puritans and the Awakening4 voices
Rulers - Not only Jews of the inferior sort, for whom meaner provisions might suffice, but also their rulers, for whom better provision was fit; who resorted to him upon all occasions, to give him notice of the enemies designs; or to receive his orders.
Let those in public places remember that they were preferred to do good, not to enrich themselves; and let people in humbler stations learn to use hospitality one to another without grudging, 1 Pet. iv. He concludes with a prayer (
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — unbalanced-parens
5 Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards.
quarantine:scripture (2026-07-29) — verbatim-scripture
Moreover, there were at my table an hundred and fifty of the Jews and rulers,.... Every day at his own cost, which must be considerable to provide for such a number, and of such rank: besides those that came unto us from among the Heathen that are about us; who were proselytes, and came thither to worship, or on a civil account, to give intelligence, and take directions.
The words behind it
13 Hebrew wordsEvery Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Hebrew | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| וְהַיְּהוּדִ֨ים | vehaiyehudim | and the Jews | H3064 → | 75 times |
| וְהַסְּגָנִ֜ים | vehaseganim | and the officials | H5461 → | 17 times |
| מֵאָ֧ה | meah | one hundred | H3967 → | 581 times |
| וַחֲמִשִּׁ֣ים | vachamishim | and fifty | H2572 → | 163 times |
| אִ֗ישׁ | ʾish | person[s] | H376 → | 1663 times |
| וְהַבָּאִ֥ים | vehabaim | and the [ones who] came | H935 → | 2568 times |
| אֵלֵ֛ינוּ | ʾeleinu | to us | H413 → | 5510 times |
| מִן־ | min- | from | H4480 → | 1188 times |
| הַגּוֹיִ֥ם | hagoyim | the nations | H1471 → | 561 times |
| אֲשֶׁר־ | ʾasher- | which | H834 → | 5497 times |
| סְבִיבֹתֵ֖ינוּ | sevivoteinu | [were] around us | H5439 → | 336 times |
| עַל־ | ʾal- | [were] at | H5921 → | 5755 times |
| שֻׁלְחָנִֽי׃ | shulchani | table my | H7979 → |
וְהַיְּהוּדִ֨יםand the Jews
vehaiyehudimH3064 →75 times
וְהַסְּגָנִ֜יםand the officials
vehaseganimH5461 →17 times
מֵאָ֧הone hundred
meahH3967 →581 times
וַחֲמִשִּׁ֣יםand fifty
vachamishimH2572 →163 times
אִ֗ישׁperson[s]
ʾishH376 →1663 times
וְהַבָּאִ֥יםand the [ones who] came
vehabaimH935 →2568 times
אֵלֵ֛ינוּto us
ʾeleinuH413 →5510 times
מִן־from
min-H4480 →1188 times
הַגּוֹיִ֥םthe nations
hagoyimH1471 →561 times
אֲשֶׁר־which
ʾasher-H834 →5497 times
סְבִיבֹתֵ֖ינוּ[were] around us
sevivoteinuH5439 →336 times
עַל־[were] at
ʾal-H5921 →5755 times
שֻׁלְחָנִֽי׃table my
shulchaniH7979 →
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Romans 12:13Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.
it leads to
- Hebrews 13:16
And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
- 2 Corinthians 9:12
For this ministry of service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanksgiving to God.
- 1 John 3:17
If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?
- Hebrews 6:10
For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so.
- Galatians 6:10
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.
- Hebrews 13:16
Through
2 Samuel 9:7“Do not be afraid,” said David, “for surely I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul, and you…
it leads to
- 2 Samuel 9:1
Then David asked, “Is there anyone left from the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for the sake of Jonathan?”
- 2 Samuel 9:3
So the king asked, “Is there anyone left of Saul’s family to whom I can show the kindness of God?” Ziba answered, “There is still Jonathan’s son, who is lame in both feet.”
- 2 Samuel 19:28
For all the house of my grandfather deserves death from my lord the king, yet you have set your servant among those who eat at your table. What further right, then, do I have…
- 2 Samuel 9:1
Where this verse is studied
On this page
About Nehemiah
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the Old Testament and Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible.