Nehemiah 4:5

KJV

And cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before thee: for they have provoked [thee] to anger before the builders.

KJV (with Strong's)

And cover {H3680} not their iniquity {H5771}, and let not their sin {H2403} be blotted out {H4229} from before {H6440} thee: for they have provoked thee to anger {H3707} before the builders {H1129}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Don't cover their guilt, don't let their sin be wiped out from before you; because they have insulted the builders to their face.

Berean Standard Bible

Do not cover up their iniquity or let their sin be blotted out from Your sight, for they have provoked the builders.

American Standard Version

and cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before thee; for they have provoked thee to anger before the builders.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 4:5 records a fervent imprecatory prayer offered by Nehemiah in response to the relentless mockery and conspiracy from adversaries like Sanballat and Tobiah, who sought to thwart the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. This verse is a passionate plea to God, asking that the enemies' iniquity and sin not be forgiven or forgotten, but rather held in remembrance for judgment, because their actions were a direct affront and provocation to God Himself and His divine work.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 4:5 is embedded within a passage detailing the intense opposition faced by the Jewish people during the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. Following the initial mockery and scorn from Sanballat and Tobiah in [Nehemiah 4:1-3](/nehemiah/4-1 "Nehemiah 4:1-3 - Opposition and Mockery"), Nehemiah turns to God in prayer. This particular verse is part of a two-verse prayer ([Nehemiah 4:4-5](/nehemiah/4-4 "Nehemiah's Prayer for Justice")) that expresses a deep desire for divine justice against those who actively hinder God's purposes. The prayer immediately precedes the practical response of the builders, who continued their work with vigilance, holding both a tool and a weapon ([Nehemiah 4:6-9](/nehemiah/4-6 "Nehemiah 4:6-9 - Responding to Threats")). This juxtaposition highlights Nehemiah's reliance on God's intervention alongside human effort.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Nehemiah chronicles the third major return of Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem, roughly a century after the first return under Zerubbabel. Nehemiah, serving as cupbearer to King Artaxerxes I of Persia, receives permission to rebuild Jerusalem's dilapidated walls, a crucial step for the city's security, identity, and the restoration of national dignity. This endeavor, however, was met with fierce and persistent opposition from neighboring governors and ethnic groups—primarily Sanballat the Horonite (governor of Samaria), Tobiah the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arab ([Nehemiah 2:19](/nehemiah/2-19 "Nehemiah 2:19 - Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem")). Their hostility escalated from verbal taunts to plots of violence and deception, aiming to demoralize the builders and halt the project. In this ancient Near Eastern context, a city's walls were not just defensive structures but symbols of its strength, sovereignty, and honor. Attacks on the walls or those rebuilding them were seen as direct challenges to the city's (and its God's) authority.
* **Key Themes:** Nehemiah 4:5 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Nehemiah and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Providence**, demonstrating Nehemiah's conviction that the rebuilding project is God's work, and therefore, opposition to it is opposition to God Himself. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Perseverance Amidst Opposition**, as Nehemiah's prayer is a testament to unwavering commitment despite severe external threats. Thirdly, it exemplifies the concept of **Imprecatory Prayer**, a type of prayer common in the Old Testament where the petitioner calls for divine judgment upon enemies, reflecting a deep desire for God's justice to prevail against unrighteousness. Finally, it touches upon the theme of **God's Justice and Righteousness**, appealing to God's character as the ultimate arbiter who will not overlook or condone sin that directly challenges His will and people, particularly when they "provoked [thee] to anger" ([Nehemiah 4:5](/nehemiah/4-5 "Nehemiah 4:5 - Nehemiah's Imprecatory Prayer")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **blotted out (Hebrew, _māḥâ'_):** This verb means "to wipe away," "to erase," "to obliterate," or "to utterly destroy." In various biblical contexts, it refers to the removal of sin, often implying forgiveness or expiation (e.g., [Psalm 51:9](/psalm/51-9 "Psalm 51:9 - Blot out all my iniquities")). However, in Nehemiah 4:5, the negative construction "let not their sin be blotted out" is a plea for the *opposite*—that their sins remain recorded and remembered by God for the purpose of judgment, indicating a desire for divine accountability rather than mercy for these specific adversaries.
* **provoked [thee] to anger (Hebrew, _kāʿas'_):** This phrase signifies a strong emotional response of vexation, indignation, or deep displeasure. It emphasizes that the enemies' actions—their mockery, conspiracy, and attempts to stop the rebuilding—were not merely personal offenses against Nehemiah or the Jewish people, but a direct and deliberate affront to God Himself. Their opposition was seen as a challenge to God's authority, His covenant faithfulness, and His ongoing work through His chosen people, thus incurring His righteous wrath.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And cover not their iniquity,"**: This opening clause is a direct appeal to God not to overlook or conceal the wrongdoing of the adversaries. "Covering iniquity" in biblical terms often implies forgiveness or atonement (e.g., [Psalm 32:1](/psalm/32-1 "Psalm 32:1 - Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered")). Nehemiah is asking God to do the reverse: to expose their sin, to keep it uncovered, and thus to hold them accountable for their malicious actions against His people and His work.
* **"and let not their sin be blotted out from before thee:"**: This reiterates and intensifies the previous plea. As discussed in "Key Word Analysis," "blotting out" sin typically means forgiveness or removal from God's record. Nehemiah's prayer is a fervent request that God *not* extend this mercy to these specific enemies. Instead, he asks that their transgressions remain vividly present in God's memory and before His divine judgment seat, ensuring that justice is meted out.
* **"for they have provoked [thee] to anger before the builders."**: This final clause provides the justification for Nehemiah's severe prayer. The enemies' actions—their scorn, threats, and active resistance—are presented not merely as human opposition but as a direct provocation against God Himself. The phrase "before the builders" highlights the public and demoralizing nature of their antagonism, which directly hindered the sacred task God had commissioned. This emphasizes that the offense was against God's honor and His ongoing redemptive plan, warranting divine intervention and judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Nehemiah 4:5 is a powerful example of **Imprecatory Prayer**, a literary and theological genre found throughout the Psalms and prophetic books, where the speaker calls upon God to bring judgment or calamity upon their enemies. This prayer is characterized by its direct address to God and its explicit request for divine retribution rather than mercy. The intensity of Nehemiah's plea also employs **Hyperbole** in its absolute demand ("cover not," "let not...be blotted out"), reflecting the depth of his anguish and zeal for God's honor in the face of persistent and malicious opposition. Furthermore, the phrase "provoked [thee] to anger" utilizes **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human emotion (anger) to God, thereby emphasizing the personal offense taken by the Divine against those who hinder His purposes. This device serves to underscore the seriousness of the enemies' actions as a direct challenge to God's will and authority.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah's imprecatory prayer in [Nehemiah 4:5](/nehemiah/4-5 "Nehemiah 4:5 - Nehemiah's Prayer for Justice") reflects a deep-seated Old Testament understanding of divine justice and the righteous indignation against those who actively oppose God's kingdom work. It is rooted in the conviction that God is a just judge who will ultimately hold the wicked accountable for their actions, especially when those actions are a direct affront to His honor and His people. This prayer is not born of personal vengeance but from a zeal for God's glory and the successful completion of His divinely ordained mission. While challenging for modern readers, it serves as a reminder that God is sovereign over all, and His justice will ultimately prevail, even against the most formidable opposition.

* [Psalm 58:6](/psalm/58-6 "Psalm 58:6 - Break their teeth, O God")
* [Psalm 109:8](/psalm/109-8 "Psalm 109:8 - Let his days be few")
* [Jeremiah 11:20](/jeremiah/11-20 "Jeremiah 11:20 - But, O LORD of hosts, who judges righteously")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Nehemiah 4:5, though an imprecatory prayer, offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that opposition to God's work is ultimately opposition to God Himself, and that our zeal for His kingdom should be unwavering. While the New Testament calls us to a higher standard of love for enemies ([Matthew 5:44](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love your enemies")), Nehemiah's prayer still teaches us to trust in God's ultimate justice. We are to commit our cause to Him, knowing that He sees all injustice and will, in His perfect timing and wisdom, set all things right. This verse encourages us to persevere in our God-given tasks, even when faced with significant spiritual or practical opposition, resting in the assurance that God is our vindicator and protector. It also challenges us to examine our own hearts: do we share Nehemiah's passion for God's glory and the advancement of His kingdom, even to the point of desiring justice against those who would actively hinder it?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Nehemiah's prayer for justice align with or challenge your understanding of God's character?**
* **In what ways might you be tempted to take matters into your own hands when facing opposition to God's work, rather than committing it to Him in prayer?**
* **How can you cultivate a zeal for God's honor and the advancement of His kingdom that mirrors Nehemiah's, while still adhering to New Testament commands of love and forgiveness?**
* **What specific "builders" or "building projects" (spiritual or practical) in your life or community are currently facing opposition, and how might Nehemiah's example encourage you to persist and pray?**

### FAQ

**Is it appropriate for Christians today to pray imprecatory prayers like Nehemiah's?**

Answer: This is a complex question that highlights the progressive revelation of God's character and expectations from the Old Covenant to the New. While imprecatory prayers are a legitimate part of the biblical canon, reflecting the raw emotions and cries for justice from those under severe persecution (e.g., in the Psalms), the New Testament introduces a profound shift. Jesus commands His followers to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" ([Matthew 5:44](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love your enemies")), and Paul instructs believers not to "repay evil for evil" but to "leave room for God's wrath" ([Romans 12:17-19](/romans/12-17 "Romans 12:17-19 - Do not repay evil for evil")). Therefore, direct prayers for God to "not blot out" the sins of specific individuals for judgment are generally not considered appropriate for New Testament believers. Instead, Christians are called to pray for the repentance and salvation of their enemies, while trusting God as the ultimate, righteous judge who will bring justice in His perfect time and way. We can, however, pray for God's justice to prevail against systemic evil and unrighteousness, and for the protection of His people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Nehemiah's fervent prayer for divine justice against those who "provoked [thee] to anger" finds its ultimate fulfillment and transformation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Nehemiah sought the *non-blotting out* of sin for his enemies, Christ's mission was precisely to *blot out* the sins of His people through His sacrificial death. The ultimate provocation to God's anger was not merely human opposition to a wall, but humanity's rebellion against a holy God—a sin that Jesus bore on the cross, becoming the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). For those who believe, their sins are not merely covered, but entirely blotted out by Christ's atoning blood ([Colossians 2:14](/colossians/2-14 "Colossians 2:14 - Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances")). Yet, for those who persistently reject Christ and oppose His kingdom, the righteous anger of God, which Nehemiah appealed to, remains. Jesus, who taught love for enemies, will also return as the [righteous Judge](/acts/17-31 "Acts 17:31 - He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness"), before whom every knee will bow ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every knee will bow")). Thus, Nehemiah's desire for God's justice is ultimately satisfied in Christ, who both provides the means for sin's forgiveness and embodies the final, perfect judgment against all unrighteousness.

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

Jeremiah 18:23

Yet, LORD, thou knowest all their counsel against me to slay [me]: forgive not their iniquity, neither blot out their sin from thy sight, but let them be overthrown before thee; deal [thus] with them in the time of thine anger.

Psalms 109:14

Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with the LORD; and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out.

Psalms 69:27

Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into thy righteousness.

Psalms 69:28

Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.

Isaiah 44:22

I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.

2 Timothy 4:14

Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:

Psalms 51:1

¶ To the chief Musician, [A Psalm] of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.