Nehemiah 9:36

36 "Now look at us. We are slaves today. We're slaves in the land you gave our people long ago. You gave it to them so they could eat its fruit and the other good things it produces.

Nehemiah 9:36 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 9:36

Behold, we are servants this day
For though they had leave to return to their land, and rebuild their city and temple, yet they were still in subjection to the kings of Persia:

and for the land thou gavest unto our fathers, to eat the fruit
thereof, and the good thereof, behold, we are servants in it;
though the rightful owners and proprietors of it by the gift of God to their ancestors, to hold it and enjoy the good of it, and yet were obliged to pay tribute for it to the kings of Persia, all excepting priests and Levites; see ( Ezra 6:8 ) ( Ezra 7:20 Ezra 7:24 ) .

Nehemiah 9:36 In-Context

34 Our kings and leaders didn't follow your law. Our priests and our people before us didn't follow it either. They didn't pay any attention to your commands. They didn't listen to the warnings you gave them.

35 They didn't serve you. They didn't turn from their evil ways. They didn't obey you even when they had a kingdom. You were very good to them. And they enjoyed it. You gave them a rich land. It had plenty of room in it. But they still didn't serve you.

36 "Now look at us. We are slaves today. We're slaves in the land you gave our people long ago. You gave it to them so they could eat its fruit and the other good things it produces.

37 But we have sinned against you. So its great harvest goes to the kings of Persia. You have placed them over us. They rule over our bodies and cattle just as they please. And we are suffering terribly.

38 "So we are making a firm agreement. We're writing it down. Our leaders are stamping it with their seals. And so are our Levites and priests."