John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 5. And cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before thee , etc.] Let it not go unpunished, and even let it not be pardoned; which is spoken, not from a private spirit of revenge, but from a public spirit for the glory of God, and his justice; and not as a mere imprecation, but as a prophecy of what would be the case, in like manner as many of David’s petitions in the Psalms; and for this there was a good foundation, since God had threatened the Moabites and Ammonites with utter destruction: for they have provoked thee to anger before the builders ; by despising his people, and mocking at the work the Lord had called them to; and this they did publicly, and on purpose to discourage the workmen.
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 ואל408 תכס3680 על5921 עונם5771 וחטאתם2403 מלפניך6440 אל408 תמחה4229 כי3588 הכעיסו3707 לנגד5048 הבונים׃1129
