Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 2:17
Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we [are] in, how Jerusalem [lieth] waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.
17. Nehemiah’s appeal. It is implied that Nehemiah having satisfied himself as to the practicability of his plan called an assembly of those mentioned in the previous verse. How soon after his nocturnal ride is not stated.
the distress ] R.V. the evil case, the same word as in Neh 1:1
Jerusalem lieth waste, &c.] Cf. Neh 2:3.
that we be no more a reproach ] See Neh 1:3, where the words ‘affliction’ and ‘reproach’ are the same as the ‘distress’ or ‘evil case,’ and ‘reproach’ in this verse.
a reproach ] i.e. an object of reproach by reason of our inability to defend ourselves, cf. Psa 22:6, ‘a reproach of men, and despised of the people;’ Joe 2:19, ‘I will no more make you a reproach among the nations.’ Eze 22:4.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Then said I unto them,…. The priests and princes of the Jews:
you see the distress that we are in; lie open to our enemies, and exposed to their insults:
how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burnt with fire, Ne 1:3,
come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem that we be no more a reproach; to their neighbours about them, who scoffed at them as a defenceless people and frequently came in upon them, and spoiled and plundered them of their goods and substance.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Laying Plans, Verses 17-20
Nehemiah called his meeting of the elders and rulers, laying the problem before them and issuing his challenge. They were well aware of the problem, for they were feeling the distress of conditions. A look around them showed a major cause of their distress. Without protective walls around Jerusalem they were at the mercy of their enemies, who could steal, pillage, and rob with ease. Still a very small number they could make little defense of themselves. Nehemiah challenged them to join him in building the walls that their reproach by the heathen might be taken away.
No doubt they were well aware of their plight and of what needed to be done. Likely they had often thought of restoring the walls and longed for the protection such would afford. But they had no resources with which to do the work. They did not have permission from the king, strong opposition was prevalent around them, and there was no timber available for the building except by going through the governing officials. Until Nehemiah no one had ventured to secure this, or so it would appear. So they seemed to join readily in Nehemiah’s proposal, they would rise up and build. They began to strengthen their hands, or make necessary preparations to get the work underway. The lord wants such willingness from all His servants. They are to be ready to do His work, to be steadfast, determined, and strong in Him and His power (1Co 16:13).
The opposition was on hand from the very beginning. Sanballat and Tobiah made the scene, joined by a new cohort, Geshem the Arabian. Geshem was probably chieftain of an Arabic tribe, and was likely one of the distressing forces behind the Jews’ reproachful condition. Since he and his tribesmen probably made raids and forays into the defenseless city he objected to its fortification.
These three enemies of the Jews must not have believed the Jews had the stamina it would take to restore the walls. So their first attack against the builders took the form of ridicule and mockery. What could these few despicable Jews do to restore so great a city as Jerusalem had been! In modern terminology they were saying, “What do you think you are doing? Do you realize the great scope of your undertaking? And why are you doing this, unless it is to rebel against Persia?” The latter was a serious charge, which if the king could be persuaded was factual, would bring the work to absolute halt.
But Nehemiah’s answer was based on confident faith in God and the call he had received from Him to restore the city. In making his reply Nehemiah told these mockers they were depending on the God of heaven, who would certainly prosper their work (Pro 3:5). Because they trusted Him they would build the wall without fail. The three detractors had nothing in Jerusalem; no part, no right, no memorial (or heritage) in the city. They could not appreciate the Jews’ reasons for building from their experience.
Learn from chapter two: 1) Concern for the Lord’s cause ought to show in His servants; 2) God’s good hand is always on those who are in His will; 3) the Lord expects His servants to understand the scope of His work they are engaged in (Lu 14:28); 4) many will not act alone, but will follow the leadership of a dedicated man of God; 5) the devil’s forces will constantly try to persuade the Christian the work is too hard for him.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(17) Then.There is no note of time. When his plans were matured, Nehemiah made an earnest appeal to their patriotism.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
PREPARATIONS TO BUILD, Neh 2:17-18.
17. Ye see the distress The same word is rendered affliction in Neh 1:3. Nehemiah had now seen with his own eyes that the report was true which informed him in Shushan of the desolation of Jerusalem. The distress to which the Jews were subjected by inability to rebuild their city, so long desolate, could be regarded by them in no other light than as a reproach.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Neh 2:17 Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we [are] in, how Jerusalem [lieth] waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.
Ver. 17. Then said I unto them ] Then, when I saw it a fit season to say it. It is an excellent skill to time a word, Isa 50:4 . To circumstantiate it aright, Pro 25:11 . That it may run as upon wheels: Nehemiah’s words do so, notably. Verba prius ad limam revocata, quam ad linguam, words well weighed ere uttered. Nescit paenitenda loqui qui proferenda prius sue tradidit examini, He cannot but speak wisely who speaketh warily.
Jerusalem lieth waste
Come, and let us build, &c.
That we be no more a reproach
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Neh 2:17-20
17Then I said to them, You see the bad situation we are in, that Jerusalem is desolate and its gates burned by fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that we will no longer be a reproach. 18I told them how the hand of my God had been favorable to me and also about the king’s words which he had spoken to me. Then they said, Let us arise and build. So they put their hands to the good work. 19But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard it, they mocked us and despised us and said, What is this thing you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king? 20So I answered them and said to them, The God of heaven will give us success; therefore we His servants will arise and build, but you have no portion, right or memorial in Jerusalem.
Neh 2:17
NASBthe bad situation
NKJVthe distress
NRSVthe trouble
TEVwhat trouble
NJBwhat a sorry state
This is the general term (BDB 948) for evil and its consequences, which is used so often in the OT. Evil had taken its toll on God’s special city and temple and the consequences remained!
Come, let us rebuild The first VERB (BDB 229, KB 246) is a Qal IMPERATIVE. The second (BDB 124, KB 139) is a Qal IMPERFECT used in a COHORTATIVE sense.
Neh 2:18 Nehemiah explained to the Jerusalem leadership how God had opened the heart of the Persian king to allow and support the rebuilding. This combination of God and king spurred them on to vigorous effort (i.e., they strengthened their hands for good, BDB 304, Peel IMPERFECT).
Neh 2:19 Here is a list of the enemies of Nehemiah’s rebuilding project.
1. Sanballat the Horonite
2. Tobiah the Ammonite
3. Geshem the Arab
they mocked us and despised us The first VERB (BDB 541, KB 532, Hiphil IMPERFECT) is always used in a negative sense (e.g., Neh 4:1; 2Ch 30:10; Job 21:3; Psa 22:7).
The second VERB (BDB 102, KB 117, Qal IMPERFECT) means to regard with contempt (cf. 2Ch 36:16; Est 3:6; Psa 22:6; Psa 22:24; Isa 53:5).
Geshem the Arab We know of him from several extra-canonical references. He was a powerful Arab leader, possibly King of Kedar. See full note in NIDOTTE, vol. 4, pp. 675-676.
are you rebelling against the King This was an accusation of treason against Persia (cf. Neh 6:6).
Neh 2:20 The God of heaven will give us success This is the same term (BDB 852 II, KB 1026, here a Hiphil IMPERFECT) used in Neh 1:11 (Hiphil IMPERATIVE). NIDOTTE, vol. 3, p. 804, gives several usages:
1. success to those who know and obey God’s law, Jos 1:8; 1Ch 22:13; Psa 1:3
2. success of God’s word to accomplish its task, Isa 55:11
3. success of the vicarious, substitutionary work of the Suffering Servant, Isa 53:10
4. success of those who diligently seek God, 2Ch 26:5; Psa 118:25
All of these reflect the truth of Neh 2:20, all true success comes from God and is available for those who seek, know, and obey Him!
This was a second painful rejection of the semi-YHWHistic pagans’ help. The first being in Ezr 4:1-5 with the rebuilding of the temple and now with the rebuilding of the walls of the city.
no portion, right or memorial in Jerusalem The first term portion (BDB 324) means no share or interest in, implying no obligation (e.g., Gen 31:14; 2Sa 20:1; 2Ch 10:16).
The second term right (BDB 842) is used in a rare judicial sense or a legal right to (cf. 2Sa 19:28; NIDOTTE, vol. 3, p. 749).
The third term memorial (BDB 272) means proof of citizenship (cf. Est 6:1). It can also mean remembrance of so as to make one part of.
All three of these, taken together, imply that Nehemiah rejects any past claims they have, any current claim they might make. They have no part with the faithful remnant that returned!
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought provoking, not definitive.
1. List the six past-exilic books of the Old Testament.
2. Why is Nehemiah so upset in Neh 2:4?
3. List the elements of Nehemiah’s prayer.
4. What other biblical book does Nehemiah draw so heavily from?
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
the distress. How so, if the Temple was already built?
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Neh 2:17-20
Neh 2:17-20
AND THEY SAID, “LET US RISE UP AND BUILD”
“Then said I unto them, Ye see the evil case that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach. And I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me, as also the king’s words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for the good work. But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Gershem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing which ye do? will ye rebel against the king? Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial in Jerusalem.”
“Ye see the evil case we are in” (Neh 2:17). Not merely the physical state of ruin of the city, but the shameful subservience they suffered under the Samaritan governor, the constant reproach and hatred of their neighbors, and their current low estate compared to their former glory – all of these things oppressed and discouraged the people. What a surge of new hope and joy must have energized and excited the people with the sudden appearance of Nehemiah, and his challenge to Rise Up and Build!
“And I told them …” (Neh 2:18). Having carefully laid his plans, and being then ready to act, Nehemiah explained to the people his full power and permission of the king to rebuild the wall and fortify the city. The response of the people was spontaneous and jubilant, “Let us rise up and build,” they said.
Sanballat and Tobiah responded to the situation with scornful laughter, taunting and spiteful remarks, and accusations of rebellion against the king. Nehemiah had not told them of his full authority and power to rebuild and fortify Jerusalem. However Nehemiah did not tell them, even then, that he was acting with the king’s full support and permission, saying rather that, “The God of heaven, he will prosper us.” We may well suppose that Sanballat and Tobiah at once dispatched messengers to Artaxerxes; and we may only imagine their consternation and disgust when they got the bad news from the king himself.
E.M. Zerr:
Neh 2:17. After returning within the limits of the city he made known the conditions. We understand that the ruins of the wall were visible, so that the writer could refer to the various gates and other parts of the wall or structure. But the ruin was so great that it would be necessary to rebuild it as if it never had existed.
Neh 2:18. Nehemiah told his fellow Jews of the encouragement he had, both from God and the king of Persia. The effect of his report on the conditions, together with the encouraging assurances, was immediately favorable. They proposed going right to the work of building. Strengthened their hands means they took courage and resolved to take hold of the work with a willing mind.
Neh 2:19. The population of the country was a mixture of the various peoples since the days of the captivity. Sanballat had been placed in a position of authority under the Persians, Tobiah was a slave of his. The Arabians came from Ishmael, son of Abraham, but had become a race to themselves. They were known as foreigners to the pure stock of Israel. The whole group here named became concerned over the activities of Nehemiah. When Zerubbabel started his work about a century before, the “outsiders” offered to help but were rejected. Doubtless that had been recorded and Sanballat knew he would not be permitted to have anything to do with it. These enemies, therefore, took an attitude of “sour grapes” toward the work. Laughed us to scorn means they derided or made fun of them. Despised us means they belittled them, and in a flippant spirit accused them of rebelling against the king.
Neh 2:20. The attitude of the enemies did not discourage Nehemiah. He did not honor them even by denying their foolish accusation. Instead, he affirmed that God would help them so that the building would be done. Moreover, he gave them to understand that they would not be allowed to have any part in the matter.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Ye see: Lam 2:2, Lam 2:8, Lam 2:9, Lam 3:51
come: Ezr 5:1, Ezr 5:2, Ezr 10:2-4, Isa 35:3, Isa 35:4
a reproach: Neh 1:3, 1Sa 11:2, Psa 44:13, Psa 79:4, Psa 79:12, Psa 89:50, Psa 89:51, Jer 24:9, Lam 3:45, Lam 3:46, Eze 5:14, Eze 22:4, Eze 22:5
Reciprocal: Lev 26:31 – And I will make Neh 2:8 – the wall Neh 2:13 – the walls Psa 51:18 – build Psa 102:14 – General Isa 49:17 – children Isa 58:12 – build Jer 31:38 – that Mic 7:11 – the day
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Neh 2:17-18. That we be no more a reproach Exposed to the scorn and insults of the people around about. I told them of the hand of my God, &c. That is, he informed them how favourable God had made the king to him, and what discourse he had had with him, and what authority and commission he had received from him. They said, Let us rise up and build Let us begin and proceed with vigour, diligence, and resolution, as those that are determined to go through with the work. They strengthened their hands Their own and one anothers.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
2:17 Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we [are] in, how Jerusalem [lieth] waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more {f} a reproach.
(f) That is, contemned by other nations as though God had forsaken us.