Nehemiah 2:17

17 Then I said to them, Ye see this evil, in which we are, how Jerusalem is desolate, and her gates have been set on fire: come, and let us build throughout the wall of Jerusalem, and we shall be no longer a reproach.

Nehemiah 2:17 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 2:17

Then said I unto them
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,
( Nehemiah 1:3 ) ( Nehemiah 2:3 Nehemiah 2:13 ) ,

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.

Nehemiah 2:17 In-Context

15 And I went up by the wall of the brook by night, and mourned over the wall, and passed through the gate of the valley, and returned.

16 And the sentinels knew not why I went, nor what I was doing; and until that time I told not to the Jews, or to the priests, or to the nobles, or to the captains, or to the rest who wrought the works.

17 Then I said to them, Ye see this evil, in which we are, how Jerusalem is desolate, and her gates have been set on fire: come, and let us build throughout the wall of Jerusalem, and we shall be no longer a reproach.

18 And I told them of the hand of God which was good upon me, also about the words of the king which he spoke to me: and I said, Let us arise and build. And their hands were strengthened for the good .

19 And Sanaballat the Aronite, and Tobia the servant, the Ammonite, and Gesam the Arabian, heard , and they laughed us to scorn, and came to us, and said, What this thing that ye are doing? are ye revolting against the king?