And the rulers knew not whither I went, or what I did; neither had I as yet told [it] to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest that did the work.
Ver. 16. And the rulers knew not whither I went] Taciturnity, in some cases, is a virtue; and everything is beautiful in its season. There is a time to keep silence, and a time to speak, Ecclesiastes 3:7. And he is a truly wise man that can discern his season for both. Discamus prius non loqui, saith Jerome, Let us first learn not to speak, that we may afterwards open our mouths and minds with discretion. Silence is by Solomon first set before speaking; and first takes its time and turn, as it did here in Nehemiah, the prudent. See Trapp on " Neh 2:12 " The word here rendered rulers is rather Chaldee than Hebrew.
Nor to the nobles] Heb. White ones. Among the Jews great men affected to go in white; as among the Romans in purple or scarlet. Hence Pilate's soldiers clad Christ in purple; Herod's, in white, Luke 23:11 Matthew 27:28 .
Nor to the rest, &c.] So, as to ask their advice.