Nehemiah 1:3 kjv

And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.

Nehemiah 1:3 nkjv

And they said to me, "The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire."

Nehemiah 1:3 niv

They said to me, "Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire."

Nehemiah 1:3 esv

And they said to me, "The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire."

Nehemiah 1:3 nlt

They said to me, "Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire."

Nehemiah 1 verses

Nehemiah 1 3 Meaning

Nehemiah 1:3 conveys a stark report of Jerusalem's desolate state and the suffering of the Jewish remnant dwelling there. The verse describes the dire physical conditions of the city walls and gates as completely destroyed, rendering the inhabitants vulnerable and subjected to widespread disgrace. It underscores the ongoing severe distress and humiliation faced by those who had returned from exile.

Nehemiah 1 3 Context

(h2)ContextNehemiah 1:3 falls within the opening chapter of the Book of Nehemiah, immediately following the author's identification. It sets the stage for Nehemiah's pivotal role in rebuilding Jerusalem's walls. The events occur during the 20th year of King Artaxerxes I's reign (circa 445/444 BC), long after the initial return of exiles under Zerubbabel (538 BC) and Ezra's arrival (458 BC). While the Temple had been rebuilt (Ezra 6), the city itself remained undefended and vulnerable, a fact that had deeply concerned Jewish leaders. This verse describes the report brought to Nehemiah, who was a high official (cupbearer) in the Persian capital of Susa, revealing the enduring desolate state of Jerusalem and the immense suffering of the returnees in the province of Judah. The phrase "survivors who are left from the captivity" refers to the small portion of Jews who had returned to the land, representing the "remnant" preserved by God, yet they faced continued hardship and humiliation.

Nehemiah 1 3 Word analysis

(h2)Word analysis(ul)

• And they said to me: This refers to Hanani, one of Nehemiah's brothers, and certain men of Judah (Neh 1:2). Their personal connection makes their report impactful.
• The survivors: Hebrew: she'erit (שְׁאֵרִית). This term is rich in theological meaning, referring to the "remnant" – a small portion preserved by God from judgment or catastrophe. It implies both divine judgment (not all survived) and divine faithfulness (some did survive). This remnant was meant to be the faithful core for national restoration.
• who are left from the captivity: Hebrew: shevi (שְׁבִי), meaning "exile" or "captivity." This specifies that the suffering people are those who had returned from the Babylonian exile, a generation still marked by the consequences of national sin, even after decades of repatriation.
• in the province: Hebrew: medinah (מְדִינָה), indicating Judea, now reduced to a small province under Persian rule. This highlights its diminished status compared to its former glory as an independent kingdom.
• are there in great trouble: Hebrew: b'ra'ah gedolah (בְּרָעָה גְדֹלָה), literally "in great evil" or "great affliction." This speaks of their immense physical, social, and spiritual distress. It suggests a compounding of suffering beyond just lack of physical security, likely encompassing economic hardship, constant threat, and moral decay.
• and shame: Hebrew: v'cherpah (וְחֶרְפָּה), meaning "reproach," "disgrace," or "humiliation." This emphasizes the psychological and social impact of their undefended state. Jerusalem's undefended condition was not just inconvenient; it was a visible sign of national humiliation, undermining their standing among neighboring peoples and questioning the power of their God.
• The wall of Jerusalem: Hebrew: chomat Yerushalayim (חוֹמַת יְרוּשָׁלַיִם). City walls in the ancient world were paramount for security, defense, and identity. A city without walls was open to attack, plunder, and public mockery. Spiritually, a complete wall symbolized divine protection and Israel's covenant standing.
• is broken down: Hebrew: p'rutsa (פְּרוּצָה), meaning "breached," "broken open," or "torn down." This indicates a state of ruin, not merely disrepair but utter destruction from historical sieges, particularly Nebuchadnezzar's destruction (2 Kgs 25:10; Jer 52:14). It also implies ongoing neglect since the return from exile, despite attempts.
• and its gates: Hebrew: ush'areha (וּשְׁעָרֶיהָ). Gates were critical for control of access, commerce, judicial proceedings, and public gatherings. Their absence or destruction signified a complete lack of civic order and defense.
• are burned with fire: Hebrew: nitstetu ba'esh (נִצְּתוּ בָאֵשׁ), indicating thorough and destructive burning. This signifies complete devastation, leaving nothing but charred ruins, and highlights the extent of the calamity inflicted by invaders, particularly the Babylonians. The use of fire indicates the thoroughness of the destruction.

(ul)

• "The survivors... in great trouble and shame.": This phrase collectively portrays the spiritual and social crisis of the Jewish remnant. Their physical vulnerability made them objects of scorn, and their shame could lead to despondency, hindering spiritual growth and faith in God's promises of restoration. It's a vivid description of people living under the lingering curse of their forefathers' disobedience.
• "The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.": This entire clause is a powerful image of desolation and impotence. It signifies the physical vulnerability of the people and the city, but also carries deep symbolic weight: the lack of divine protection (due to sin), the absence of a distinct national identity, and a perpetual state of defenselessness against enemies. The destroyed infrastructure mirrored the fragmented hope and low morale of the Jewish community. This physical state made worship at the recently rebuilt temple challenging and exposed. The persistent state of the ruins also polemicized against pagan claims of the superiority of their gods; for Israel, the desolation was understood as God’s judgment, not His weakness.

Nehemiah 1 3 Bonus section

(h2)Bonus section

• Significance of Duration: The news arrives almost a century after the first wave of returnees, highlighting the persistent challenges and the scale of the task left undone by previous governors and prophets. It underscores the patience required in divine restoration processes.
• Architectural as Theological: The focus on "wall" and "gates" isn't merely urban planning. Biblically, walls often represent protection and boundaries (e.g., Psa 125:2; Isa 26:1), while gates represent authority, justice, and access (e.g., Gen 22:17; Psa 24:7). Their destruction indicated a collapse of these core elements in the community.
• Divine Timing and Human Agency: The severe conditions described in this verse served as God's means to stir Nehemiah to action, showing how God uses dire circumstances to prompt His chosen instruments towards fulfilling His plans.
• Impact on Worship: Even with the temple rebuilt, an unfortified Jerusalem meant that daily life and worship remained unsafe and uncertain, diminishing the joy and confidence that should accompany restored sanctuary service.

Nehemiah 1 3 Commentary

(h2)CommentaryNehemiah 1:3 delivers devastating news that served as the catalyst for Nehemiah's subsequent mission. The report paints a grim picture of Jerusalem as a city stripped of its dignity and defense, mirroring the plight of its inhabitants. The "survivors" – a small, vulnerable remnant – were not living in peace after returning from exile but were constantly "in great trouble and shame." This trouble likely encompassed economic oppression, political harassment, and internal strife. The "shame" was profound; a defenceless Jerusalem undermined not only the people's security but also their witness to the surrounding nations, who could mock their God.

The destroyed wall and burned gates were not merely architectural details but symbols of utter collapse. In ancient times, walls signified a city's strength, identity, and the security of its populace. Their ruin meant constant fear of invasion, inability to control access, and vulnerability to contempt. The news confirmed that over 90 years after the initial return from exile, the situation in Jerusalem remained dire, reflecting the ongoing consequences of God's judgment on His people's past sins. This verse profoundly affected Nehemiah, leading him to mourn, fast, and pray, preparing him to take divine initiative for national restoration.