5:15 former governors . . . laid heavy burdens. Sheshbazzar (Ezra 5:14) and Zerubbabel (Hag. 1:1) were former governors, but their terms were almost one hundred years earlier. The oppressive governors were Nehemiah’s more immediate predecessors, whose policies had been harmful (5:1–13 note).

fear of God. See note 1:11.