John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 4. Hear, O our God, for we are despised , etc.] Here begins the prayer of Nehemiah, who had been informed of what these men said in contempt of him, and his builders, and to whom he sent no answer, but applied to God: and turn their reproach upon their own head ; as they have despised and reproached us, let them be despised and reproached by their neighbours: give them for a prey in the land of captivity ; let them be carried captive, as we have been, and become a prey and booty to their enemies.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-6 - Many a good work has been looked upon with contempt by proud an haughty scorners. Those who disagree in almost every thing, will unit in persecution. Nehemiah did not answer these fools according to their folly, but looked up to God by prayer. God's people have often been despised people, but he hears all the slights that are put upon them and it is their comfort that he does so. Nehemiah had reason to thin that the hearts of those sinners were desperately hardened, else he would not have prayed that their sins might never be blotted out. Goo work goes on well, when people have a mind to it. The reproaches of enemies should quicken us to our duty, not drive us from it.
Original Hebrew שׁמע8085 אלהינו430 כי3588 היינו1961 בוזה939 והשׁב7725 חרפתם2781 אל413 ראשׁם7218 ותנם5414 לבזה961 בארץ776 שׁביה׃7633
