Nehemiah 4:4

KJV

Hear, O our God; for we are despised: and turn their reproach upon their own head, and give them for a prey in the land of captivity:

KJV (with Strong's)

Hear {H8085}, O our God {H430}; for we are despised {H939}: and turn {H7725} their reproach {H2781} upon their own head {H7218}, and give {H5414} them for a prey {H961} in the land {H776} of captivity {H7633}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Our God, listen! We are being treated with contempt. Turn back their jeers on their own heads; give them over to be plundered in a land of exile.

Berean Standard Bible

Hear us, O God, for we are despised. Turn their scorn back upon their own heads, and let them be taken as plunder to a land of captivity.

American Standard Version

Hear, O our God; for we are despised: and turn back their reproach upon their own head, and give them up for a spoil in a land of captivity;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 4:4 captures Nehemiah's fervent and immediate prayer to God in response to the intense scorn and threats from adversaries who sought to hinder the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. This verse powerfully encapsulates Nehemiah's deep reliance on divine justice and vindication, appealing to God to reverse the humiliation and contempt endured by His people and to bring the consequences of their enemies' malicious intent back upon their own heads. It is a profound expression of trust in God's sovereignty amidst profound adversity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 4:4 is a pivotal moment following the escalating opposition described in the preceding verses. In [Nehemiah 4:1-3](/nehemiah/4-1 "Nehemiah 4:1-3 - Sanballat and Tobiah Mock the Jews"), Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem, along with the Ammonites, Arabs, and Ashdodites, are depicted as intensely mocking and ridiculing the Jewish people's efforts to rebuild the wall. Their scorn is not merely directed at the builders but implicitly at their God, questioning the efficacy of their faith and their ability to complete such a monumental task. Nehemiah's prayer in verse 4 is a direct, impassioned response to this verbal assault, demonstrating that his first resort in the face of human opposition is to appeal to divine authority and justice, rather than engaging in immediate retaliation or despair. This prayer sets the tone for the people's continued perseverance, as they then return to work in [Nehemiah 4:6](/nehemiah/4-6 "Nehemiah 4:6 - The People Had a Mind to Work"), empowered by their leader's faith.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting is the post-exilic period, around 445 BC, when the Jewish exiles had returned from Babylon under Persian rule. Jerusalem was still largely in ruins, and the rebuilding of its walls was not merely a construction project but a symbolic act of restoring national identity, security, and the glory of God's city. This endeavor was perceived as a threat by neighboring peoples, particularly the Samaritans (led by Sanballat), Ammonites (Tobiah), and Arabs (Geshem), who had established their own influence in the region during the exile. Their "reproach" (Hebrew: _ḥerpāh_) carried significant cultural weight, implying public shame, disgrace, and a challenge to honor, which was deeply offensive in ancient Near Eastern societies. The plea for them to be given "for a prey in the land of captivity" reflects the historical memory of Israel's own past captivities and a desire for a dramatic reversal of fortunes, where the aggressors would suffer the very fate they wished upon the Jews.

* **Key Themes:** Nehemiah 4:4 contributes significantly to several major themes within the book of Nehemiah and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Prayer in Adversity**, demonstrating Nehemiah's consistent practice of turning to God in every challenge, from his initial burden for Jerusalem in [Nehemiah 1:4](/nehemiah/1-4 "Nehemiah 1:4 - Nehemiah's Prayer and Fasting") to this specific plea for justice. Secondly, the verse underscores **Divine Justice and Vindication**, as Nehemiah appeals to God to defend His people and His name against those who despise them. This is an example of an imprecatory prayer, where the psalmist or prophet asks God to deal with enemies according to their deeds, trusting that [vengeance belongs to the Lord](/deuteronomy/32-35 "Deuteronomy 32:35 - Vengeance is Mine, and recompense"). Thirdly, it speaks to **Perseverance Amidst Scorn**, as the prayer empowers the people to continue their work despite intense opposition, knowing that God is aware of their suffering and will ultimately act on their behalf. This resilience is a recurring motif, emphasizing that God's work will be completed despite human obstacles.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **despised (Hebrew, _būz_ - בּוּז):** This word conveys a profound sense of contempt, scorn, and utter disdain. It indicates that the adversaries not only disagreed with the Jews' actions but actively looked down upon them, belittling their efforts, their people, and implicitly, their God. The enemies sought to strip the Jews of their dignity and discourage them through public humiliation.
* **reproach (Hebrew, _ḥerpāh_ - חֶרְפָּה):** More than mere insult, _ḥerpāh_ refers to shame, disgrace, or public humiliation. In ancient cultures, honor and shame were paramount, and to be subjected to _ḥerpāh_ was to suffer a significant blow to one's standing and identity. Nehemiah's prayer is a plea for God to reverse this public shame, causing the very disgrace intended for His people to recoil upon the heads of their accusers.
* **prey (Hebrew, _bizzāh_ - בִּזָּה):** This term signifies plunder, spoil, or booty, typically taken from a defeated enemy. The request to "give them for a prey in the land of captivity" is a powerful imprecation for a complete reversal of fortune. It asks that those who sought to plunder and subjugate the Jews would themselves become vulnerable, captured, and subjected to the fate of the plundered, experiencing the very captivity from which Israel had recently been delivered.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Hear, O our God;":** This opening phrase establishes the direct, intimate, and urgent nature of Nehemiah's prayer. It is a cry of dependence, acknowledging God's omnipotence and His attentiveness to the plight of His people. It is an appeal to the covenant God of Israel, who has promised to hear and respond to their cries.
* **"for we are despised:":** This clause states the immediate cause for the prayer – the profound contempt and scorn heaped upon the Jewish people. It is a factual presentation of their suffering and humiliation, laying bare their vulnerability before God. This is not a complaint, but a justification for divine intervention, appealing to God's character as the defender of the oppressed.
* **"and turn their reproach upon their own head,":** This is a powerful imprecation, a request for divine poetic justice. Nehemiah asks God to cause the very insults, shame, and malicious intentions of the adversaries to boomerang back upon them. It is a plea for a reversal of fortune, where the perpetrators experience the consequences of their own wickedness. This phrase emphasizes God's justice in ensuring that evil ultimately consumes its originators.
* **"and give them for a prey in the land of captivity:":** This second imprecation intensifies the request for divine judgment. It asks that the enemies, who sought to oppress and plunder the Jews, would themselves become vulnerable, captured, and subjected to the very fate of captivity that Israel had endured. This is a prayer for God to demonstrate His absolute sovereignty by bringing about a complete and humiliating downfall for those who oppose His work and His people.

#### Literary Devices
Nehemiah 4:4 powerfully employs several literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Imprecatory Prayer**, a common form of petition in the Old Testament (e.g., in the Psalms) where the speaker calls upon God to bring judgment or calamity upon their enemies. It is not an expression of personal revenge but a fervent appeal for divine justice against those who oppose God's righteous purposes. The phrase "turn their reproach upon their own head" is a vivid **Metaphor** and an example of **Retributive Justice**, illustrating the concept of a boomerang effect where malicious intent recoils upon the perpetrator. This also contains an element of **Irony**, as the very shame and plunder intended for God's people are desired to befall the adversaries. The final clause, "give them for a prey in the land of captivity," uses **Hyperbole** to emphasize the totality of the desired reversal, calling for a complete and humiliating downfall for the enemies, akin to the fate of the vanquished.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah's prayer in Nehemiah 4:4 resonates deeply with the biblical understanding of God as a righteous judge who hears the cries of His people and defends them against their adversaries. While the New Testament calls believers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them, the Old Testament imprecations are not expressions of personal vindictiveness but rather appeals to God's ultimate justice and sovereignty over all nations. They reflect a profound trust that God will ultimately set things right, vindicating His name and His people. This prayer reminds us that when we are engaged in God's work and face opposition, our first recourse should be to lay our burdens before Him, trusting in His power to act righteously on our behalf. It underscores the truth that the battle is ultimately the Lord's, and He will ensure that His purposes prevail.

* [Psalm 7:16](/psalm/7-16 "Psalm 7:16 - His mischief shall return upon his own head")
* [Psalm 35:8](/psalm/35-8 "Psalm 35:8 - Let destruction come upon them by surprise")
* [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance is Mine, I will repay")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Nehemiah 4:4 offers profound and enduring lessons for believers navigating opposition in their spiritual journeys and service. When we encounter scorn, ridicule, or active hindrance while pursuing God's calling, our immediate and primary response should be earnest prayer, just as Nehemiah did. This verse teaches us to present our plight honestly before God, trusting in His character as a just and sovereign Lord who sees, hears, and acts. While our New Testament mandate calls us to love our enemies and pray for their salvation, Nehemiah's prayer reminds us that there is a righteous indignation against injustice and a legitimate desire for God's ultimate vindication of His name and His people. We are called to leave judgment and vengeance to God, trusting that He will, in His perfect timing and wisdom, turn the tables on those who oppose His kingdom. This empowers us to persevere in our God-given tasks, knowing that despite the scorn of others, our labor in the Lord is not in vain, and He will ultimately bring His purposes to fruition.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I typically respond when I feel despised or ridiculed for my faith or efforts in serving God?**
* **In what specific situations am I tempted to seek personal retribution rather than trusting God for justice?**
* **What "walls" or assignments is God calling me to build in my life or community, and how can Nehemiah's example of prayer and perseverance encourage me to continue despite opposition?**

### FAQ

**Is Nehemiah's prayer for vengeance appropriate for Christians today?**

Answer: Nehemiah's prayer, an example of an imprecatory prayer, reflects a righteous appeal for divine justice against those actively opposing God's work and His people. While the New Testament calls believers to love their enemies ([Matthew 5:44](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love your enemies")) and to leave vengeance to God ([Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance is Mine, I will repay")), it's crucial to understand the context. Nehemiah is not seeking personal revenge, but asking God to defend His honor and His covenant people against those who are actively hindering His redemptive plan. For Christians today, this teaches us to bring all our burdens and injustices to God, trusting in His ultimate sovereignty and justice. While we pray for the salvation of our enemies, we can also pray for God's righteous hand to intervene against evil, to protect His people, and to ensure His purposes prevail, knowing that He will ultimately bring all things to account ([Revelation 20:11-15](/revelation/20-11 "Revelation 20:11-15 - The Great White Throne Judgment")).

**What does "turn their reproach upon their own head" mean?**

Answer: This phrase is a powerful idiom signifying a reversal of fortune or poetic justice. It means that the very shame, insult, or harm that the adversaries intended to inflict upon God's people would instead recoil upon themselves. It's a prayer for God to cause their malicious words and actions to boomerang, so that they experience the disgrace and consequences of their own wickedness. It underscores the biblical principle that those who dig a pit for others often fall into it themselves ([Psalm 7:15](/psalm/7-15 "Psalm 7:15 - He made a pit and dug it out")). Nehemiah is appealing to God to demonstrate His justice by ensuring that the enemies' evil designs ultimately lead to their own downfall and humiliation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Nehemiah's prayer for vindication and the turning of reproach upon the enemies' heads finds its ultimate fulfillment and reinterpretation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Nehemiah prayed for God to bring judgment upon those who despised His people, Jesus Himself became the ultimate object of scorn and reproach, fulfilling prophecies such as [Psalm 22:6](/psalm/22-6 "Psalm 22:6 - A reproach of men and despised by the people"). He endured the deepest humiliation, suffering the cross, where the world's reproach was heaped upon Him. Yet, in His divine wisdom, Jesus did not pray for the immediate destruction of His tormentors but for their forgiveness ([Luke 23:34](/luke/23-34 "Luke 23:34 - Father, forgive them")). His resurrection, however, is the ultimate divine reversal, turning the reproach of the cross into glorious triumph and vindication. Through His victory over sin and death, Christ has disarmed and triumphed over all spiritual adversaries ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumphing over principalities and powers")), ensuring that the ultimate "reproach" of judgment will fall upon those who reject Him, while His people, united with Him, are forever vindicated and glorified ([Philippians 2:8-11](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8-11 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")). Thus, Nehemiah's plea for justice is ultimately satisfied in Christ's final victory and the establishment of His kingdom, where all wrongs will be made right.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 79:12

And render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord.

Psalms 123:3

Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt.

Psalms 123:4

Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, [and] with the contempt of the proud.

Proverbs 3:34

Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.

1 Samuel 17:26

And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who [is] this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?

Hosea 12:14

Ephraim provoked [him] to anger most bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him.