Charles Ellicott Commentary Nehemiah 5:15

"But the former governors that were before me were chargeable unto the people, and took of them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God." — Nehemiah 5:15 (ASV)

Besides forty shekels of silver. —Either in bread and wine over forty shekels, or, received in bread and wine, and beyond that, forty shekels. The latter, on the whole, is to be preferred; it would amount to about four pounds from the entire people daily.

So did not I, because of the fear of God. —Nehemiah contrasts his forbearance with the conduct of former governors; we cannot suppose him to mean Zorubbabel, but some of his successors. The practice he condemns was common among the satraps of the Persian princes. Note that usury and rigour were prohibited, in Leviticus 25:36; Leviticus 25:43, with the express sanction, Fear thy God.