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Nehemiah 2:17

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Nehemiah 2:17 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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.
Nehemiah 2:17 — American Standard Version

Context — Nehemiah 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
14Then I went on to the fountain gate and to the king`s pool: but there was no place for the beast that was under me to pass.
15Then went I up in the night by the brook, and viewed the wall; and I turned back, and entered by the valley gate, and so returned.
16And 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.
17Then 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.
18And I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me, as also of 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].
19But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king?
20Then 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.
← Nehemiah 2:16Nehemiah 2:18 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then said I unto them, etc.] 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, (<160103>Nehemiah 1:3 2:3,13), 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.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“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; Sa1 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 Nehemiah 2:18”
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Related study paths

Read Nehemiah 2 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification