John Gill Commentary


John Gill Commentary
"Now that which was prepared for one day was one ox and six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this I demanded not the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people." — Nehemiah 5:18 (ASV)
Now that which was prepared for me daily was one ox and six
choice sheep
Or fat ones; of beef and mutton a considerable quantity, abundantly sufficient for his guests and servants, and shows what a good table he kept:
also fowls were prepared for me ;
what number is not said:
and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine ;
the country afforded; that is, either once in ten days his stock of wine was renewed, or a more liberal entertainment was made, a banquet of wine, (Esther 5:6) ,
yet for all this required not I the bread of the governor ;
the salary that used to be given him, but did this at his own expense, out of his own estate in Judea; or what he had got by his office as cupbearer to the king of Persia, the salary of which perhaps was continued:
because the bondage was heavy upon the people ;
the tribute of the king of Persia, and their labour and expense in building the walls of the city.