Good News Translation introduces a section break here that draws attention to Nehemiah’s character and deeds: “Nehemiah’s Unselfishness.” Some other versions are similar. Contemporary English Version says “Nehemiah Is Generous.” New Revised Standard Version speaks of “The Generosity of Nehemiah,” and New American Bible refers to “Nehemiah’s Lack of Self-interest.” However, many versions do not have a section heading at this point and it is not necessary to do so because a division is not indicated in the discourse structure of the Hebrew narrative.
Moreover is an adverb that serves as a discourse marker introducing the explanation that will follow.
I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah: This is the first reference to Nehemiah’s actual appointment as governor of Judah. The Hebrew text has literally “[he] appointed me…” (also the Septuagint). King from later in the verse would have to be understood as the subject. The Latin Vulgate has added “king” as the subject. It has been suggested that the Hebrew text originally had I was appointed (as in Revised Standard Version/New Revised Standard Version, New International Version, Good News Translation), which is a difference of one letter in Hebrew. The Hebrew text translated their governor is an unknown form, probably from a scribal mistake, and the correct form could be simply “governor.” This is found in one Hebrew manuscript, the Vulgate, and the Syriac version, and is followed by Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version. But their governor, which is also in the Septuagint, may be correct and is the preferred text. The possessive pronoun their refers to the people living in the land of Judah. In some languages a similar pronoun can be used, and the meaning will be clear from the rest of the sentence. In other languages it may be omitted, and the meaning will be clear. For governor see the comment at Ezra 5.3, 14.
Most versions translate the Hebrew that refers to the land of Judah without identifying a political entity. Bible en français courant, however, refers to it as “the province of Judah.”
Nehemiah served twelve years as governor, from Artaxerxes’ twentieth year as king to his thirty-second year. This was from 445 to 433 B.C.
Neither I nor my brethren ate the food allowance of the governor: Nehemiah was concerned as governor to lighten the tax burden on the people. He chose to do this “because of the fear of God” (see the next verse; also verse 9 above). One way Nehemiah was able to decrease the taxes was by not taking the food allowance that he and his brethren, that is, close kinsmen (see Neh 4.23), were authorized to receive. Traduction œcuménique de la Bible calls it “the governor’s bread.” The governor, like the Persian satrap, had the right to collect taxes for both the central treasury and for his own treasury.
Quoted with permission from Noss, Philip A. and Thomas, Kenneth J. A Handbook on Nehemiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2005. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .