Twelve years — Not that he continued so long together at Jerusalem, but he so long governed Jerusalem by himself when present, and in his absence, by a deputy. The bread — That allowance which by the laws of God and nations, and of the king of Persia, the governors might require.
Related Commentaries of Nehemiah 5:14
Nehemiah 5:14
14 Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor.