Nehemiah 5:14

Nehemiah recounts other measures by which as governor he endeavoured to relieve the condition of his brethren

14. Moreover, &c. i.e. Here is another instance. During the whole tenure of his office, Nehemiah provided out of his own purse for the expenses of his official position.

from the time…, that is, twelve years Nehemiah was governor or Pekhah of Judah for twelve years, apparently from b.c. 445 or 4 to b.c. 433 or 432, cf. Nehemiah 13:6 with Nehemiah 2:1. See however Additional Note, p. 320.

have not eaten the bread of the governor i.e. the provisions usually supplied by the province for the maintenance of its Pekhah and his household. -Bread" of course must not be understood literally. It is explained in the next verse by -bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver."