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.

NEHEMIAH 5:17KJV
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Nehemiah 5:17 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 5:17 mean?

Nehemiah 5:17 describes how Nehemiah regularly hosted 150 Jewish leaders and officials at his table, in addition to visitors from surrounding nations. This verse highlights Nehemiah’s generosity and hospitality as governor, especially during a time of hardship for the people.

Nehemiah himself is speaking, explaining to the reader (and likely to God in prayer) the burdens he took on as governor of Jerusalem. The context is a time when many Jews were struggling with poverty and debt. Nehemiah’s mention of feeding both local leaders and foreigners shows his personal commitment to caring for others, not only his own people but also guests from other nations.

The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 5:17

  • "table" (שֻׁלְחָן, shulchan): This word refers to a literal dining table, emphasizing the physical act of providing food and hospitality, not just symbolic generosity.
  • "Jews" (יְהוּדִי, yehudi): This term specifically identifies the people Nehemiah is caring for as members of the Jewish community, underlining his solidarity with his fellow countrymen.
  • "rulers" (סָרִיס, saris): This word can mean officials or leaders, showing that Nehemiah’s hospitality extended to those with authority and responsibility in the community.
  • "heathen" (גּוֹי, goy): This term refers to the nations or peoples surrounding Israel, indicating that Nehemiah’s table was open even to foreigners, not just Israelites.

Why Nehemiah 5:17 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Nehemiah did not use his position for personal luxury but instead took on extra burdens to serve others, contrasting with some leaders who exploited their roles.
  • It shows that Nehemiah’s leadership included practical care—feeding many people daily—demonstrating servant leadership in action.
  • The mention of both Jews and foreigners at his table connects to the broader theme of inclusiveness and responsibility toward both one’s own people and outsiders, which is a recurring idea in the book of Nehemiah.

Where else these words appear

“rulers” Hebrew H5461 · used in 16 verses

  • Ezra 9:2 For they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of those lands: yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass.
  • Nehemiah 7:5 And my God put into mine heart to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that they might be reckoned by genealogy. And I found a register of the genealogy of them which came up at the first, and found written therein,
  • Jeremiah 51:28 Prepare against her the nations with the kings of the Medes, the captains thereof, and all the rulers thereof, and all the land of his dominion.

“table” Hebrew H7979 · used in 62 verses

  • Exodus 25:23 Thou shalt also make a table of shittim wood: two cubits shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
  • 1 Samuel 20:29 And he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me to be there: and now, if I have found favour in thine eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he cometh not unto the king's table.
  • Job 36:16 Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait into a broad place, where there is no straitness; and that which should be set on thy table should be full of fatness.

“Jews” Hebrew H3064 · used in 70 verses

  • 2 Kings 16:6 At that time Rezin king of Syria recovered Elath to Syria, and drave the Jews from Elath: and the Syrians came to Elath, and dwelt there unto this day.
  • Esther 6:13 And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him.
  • Esther 9:20 And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far,

“fifty” Hebrew H2572 · used in 141 verses

  • Genesis 6:15 And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.
  • Numbers 4:30 From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old shalt thou number them, every one that entereth into the service, to do the work of the tabernacle of the congregation.
  • 2 Kings 21:1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hephzibah.