Nehemiah 2 20

Nehemiah 2:20 kjv

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.

Nehemiah 2:20 nkjv

So I answered them, and said to them, "The God of heaven Himself will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build, but you have no heritage or right or memorial in Jerusalem."

Nehemiah 2:20 niv

I answered them by saying, "The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it."

Nehemiah 2:20 esv

Then I replied to them, "The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem."

Nehemiah 2:20 nlt

I replied, "The God of heaven will help us succeed. We, his servants, will start rebuilding this wall. But you have no share, legal right, or historic claim in Jerusalem."

Nehemiah 2 verses

Nehemiah 2 20 Meaning

Nehemiah 2:20 is a powerful declaration by Nehemiah in response to the ridicule and opposition from Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem. It expresses his unwavering faith in God's sovereign power and commitment to enable the rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall, while unequivocally disclaiming any right or share for the adversaries in the sacred work or the holy city. This verse serves as a rallying cry, emphasizing divine partnership, servant leadership, and firm boundaries against those who seek to hinder God's purposes.

Nehemiah 2 20 Context

Nehemiah 2:20 occurs at a crucial juncture after Nehemiah has secured permission from King Artaxerxes to return to Jerusalem to rebuild its walls. Upon his arrival, he secretly surveys the ruined walls and then gathers the people, explaining his vision and God's hand upon him (Neh 2:17-18). His initiative, however, immediately sparks strong opposition from three key figures: Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab (Neh 2:19). These influential individuals scorn and mock the efforts, questioning their loyalty to the king and suggesting a rebellious agenda. Verse 20 is Nehemiah's firm, faith-filled rejoinder, asserting the divine mandate for the work and denying his enemies any claim, legal right, or remembrance in Jerusalem. It establishes the spiritual nature of the conflict and sets the tone for the subsequent challenges faced during the rebuilding project.

Nehemiah 2 20 Word analysis

• The God of heaven (הָאֱלֹהֵי הַשָּׁמַיִם - hā’Elohei haShamayim): This title, frequently found in Ezra-Nehemiah and Daniel, emphasizes God's supreme sovereignty, His transcendence, and His dominion over all creation, including earthly kings and opposing forces. It differentiates Him from regional or national deities. The term reinforces that the work is divinely ordained and under His ultimate control. It asserts a cosmic authority over any local human challenge.
• He Himself (הוּא - Hū’): The emphatic personal pronoun highlights direct divine agency. It signifies that success will not come by human strength or skill alone, but by God's direct intervention and blessing. This counters the adversaries' mockery by shifting the focus from human capability to divine power.
• will prosper us (יַצְלִיחַ לָנוּ - yatzliakh lânû): The root (צָלַח - tsâlakh) means "to rush, succeed, prosper, be fortunate." In this context, it denotes not just material prosperity but active enablement and guaranteed success in the task, confirming God's commitment to the project. It implies divine favor, ensuring favorable conditions and desired outcomes for the rebuilding.
• Therefore (כִּי - kî): A conjunction here implying "certainly," "surely," or "for this reason." It draws a direct logical connection between God's promise to prosper and the servants' ensuing action.
• we His servants (אֲנַחְנוּ עֲבָדָיו - ’anachnû ‘avâdâv): This identifies Nehemiah and the people with God in a subservient yet privileged relationship. "Servants" implies devotion, obedience, and an exclusive allegiance to God and His purposes. It underlines their identity and commitment to the task as God's representatives. It implicitly stands against serving human kings over divine mandate.
• will arise (נָקוּם - nâqûm): The verb (קוּם - qûm) means "to rise, stand up, establish." It suggests taking decisive action, showing courage, determination, and a readiness to begin or continue the work despite opposition. It's a defiant and active stance against idleness or fear.
• and build (וּבָנִינוּ - ûvânînû): Refers to the physical act of construction but also encompasses the restoration of the community, identity, and security of Jerusalem. It is the concrete manifestation of God's promise and the people's obedience.

Words-Group by words-Group Analysis:

• "The God of heaven, He Himself will prosper us": This opening phrase immediately establishes the foundation of Nehemiah's confidence: not in human might or political backing, but in the omnipotent, sovereign God. The emphasis on "He Himself" underscores that God's intervention is direct and personal. This refutes the idea that their work is merely a human political endeavor; rather, it is a divinely initiated and sustained project, guaranteed by God's own character and power. It's a statement of absolute dependence on God for success.
• "Therefore we His servants will arise and build": This clause connects divine promise with human responsibility. Because God will prosper them, His dedicated servants are empowered and obligated to act. "Arise" conveys immediate and decisive action, courage, and a collective commitment to the task, moving beyond mere contemplation or fear. The phrase asserts the identity of the workers as "servants of God," giving spiritual significance to their physical labor and indicating their authorized role. This phrase demonstrates faithful obedience as the appropriate response to divine enablement.
• "But you have no portion or right or memorial in Jerusalem": This strong exclusion serves as a triple denial to the adversaries. It addresses their claims or hopes of influence and status regarding Jerusalem.
  • "no portion (אֵין חֵלֶק - ’ên khêleq)": This denies any legal claim to inherited land, property, or shared stake in the community. It can also refer to a share in temple services or sacrificial offerings, emphasizing their spiritual exclusion from the covenant community.
  • "no right (וּצְדָקָה - ûtsᵉdâqâh)": This denies any righteous or just standing, no legitimate claim based on law or moral authority to participate in Jerusalem's affairs. They lack the moral legitimacy or historical precedent to have a say.
  • "no memorial (וְזִכָּרוֹן - vᵉzikkârôn)": This denies them any place in the city's history or its public memory, especially concerning any religious or communal recognition. Their names will not be recorded or remembered positively within the sacred history of Jerusalem. It implies their efforts will be forgotten or their legacy eradicated in connection to God's city. This denies them honor, recognition, or a lasting presence.
  Collectively, these three terms communicate absolute and complete disenfranchisement. Their opposition renders them wholly separate from God's work and His people, making it a firm theological and communal boundary.

Nehemiah 2 20 Bonus section

The strong language of exclusion in Nehemiah 2:20 also functions as a polemic against the attempts of non-Israelites (or mixed groups) to integrate or exert control over the post-exilic Jewish community's affairs in Jerusalem. Historically, during the periods of exile and return, there were varying levels of collaboration and conflict with surrounding peoples. The clear boundaries established here were vital for maintaining the distinct identity and religious purity of the returning Jewish community, preventing dilution of faith or assimilation into pagan practices. This strict separation reflected a renewed emphasis on covenant fidelity after the return from exile, particularly after the past compromises that led to their captivity. The declaration that these adversaries have no "right" (tzedakah) in Jerusalem also suggests that their claims or demands are not rooted in justice or truth, aligning with the idea that only those aligned with God's righteousness truly have a rightful place in His city.

Nehemiah 2 20 Commentary

Nehemiah 2:20 is more than just a defiant retort; it's a profound theological declaration that encapsulates the spirit of faithful service and unwavering trust in God amidst opposition. Nehemiah's primary assurance stems from the nature of "the God of heaven," signifying His supreme, undisputed authority over all earthly powers and circumstances. This foundational truth empowers him to declare that God Himself will guarantee the success of the project. This is not passive hope, but an active expectation that propels action.

Consequently, Nehemiah identifies himself and the people as "His servants," clarifying that their work is a divine mandate, not a personal ambition or political rebellion as suggested by their enemies. This servanthood implies full dedication and obedience, leading to the decisive action of "arising and building." This dual emphasis on divine enablement and human responsibility highlights a key biblical principle: God provides, and humanity responds in faith and action.

The latter part of the verse delivers a forceful pronouncement of exclusion to Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem. By denying them any "portion," "right," or "memorial" in Jerusalem, Nehemiah is establishing clear spiritual and communal boundaries. This isn't just about ownership of land; it's a declaration of their alienation from God's covenant community and the spiritual blessings tied to Jerusalem. Their mockery and opposition proved they were not aligned with God's will and thus had no legitimate claim or stake in the holy city's restoration or its future. It signifies that there is no room for those who despise God's work to participate in its fruition or share in its heritage.

Examples:

• A believer starting a ministry project despite widespread skepticism, declaring, "God Himself will prosper us; therefore, we His servants will arise and serve."
• A church community facing legal battles or societal pressure for their faith, confidently asserting their divine mandate and rejecting attempts to diminish their spiritual "right."
• Individuals encountering opposition to sharing the gospel, finding strength in the knowledge that they are God's servants, empowered by Him to build His kingdom, with no spiritual "portion" for those who actively reject Christ.