New International VersionHear us, our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity.
New Living TranslationThen I prayed, “Hear us, our God, for we are being mocked. May their scoffing fall back on their own heads, and may they themselves become captives in a foreign land!
English Standard VersionHear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives.
Berean Standard BibleHear us, O God, for we are despised. Turn their scorn back upon their own heads, and let them be taken as plunder to a land of captivity.
King James BibleHear, O our God; for we are despised: and turn their reproach upon their own head, and give them for a prey in the land of captivity:
New King James VersionHear, O our God, for we are despised; turn their reproach on their own heads, and give them as plunder to a land of captivity!
New American Standard BibleHear, O our God, how we are an object of contempt! Return their taunting on their own heads, and turn them into plunder in a land of captivity.
NASB 1995Hear, O our God, how we are despised! Return their reproach on their own heads and give them up for plunder in a land of captivity.
NASB 1977Hear, O our God, how we are despised! Return their reproach on their own heads and give them up for plunder in a land of captivity.
Legacy Standard BibleHear, O our God, for we are despised! Return their reproach on their own heads and give them up for plunder in a land of captivity.
Amplified Bible[And Nehemiah prayed] Hear, O our God, how we are despised! Return their taunts on their own heads. Give them up as prey in a land of captivity.
Christian Standard BibleListen, our God, for we are despised. Make their insults return on their own heads and let them be taken as plunder to a land of captivity.
Holman Christian Standard BibleListen, our God, for we are despised. Make their insults return on their own heads and let them be taken as plunder to a land of captivity.
American Standard VersionHear, O our God; for we are despised: and turn back their reproach upon their own head, and give them up for a spoil in a land of captivity;
Contemporary English VersionBut I prayed, "Our God, these people hate us and have wished horrible things for us. Please answer our prayers and make their insults fall on them! Let them be the ones to be dragged away as prisoners of war.
English Revised VersionHear, O our God; for we are despised: and turn back their reproach upon their own head, and give them up to spoiling in a land of captivity:
GOD'S WORD® Translation[Nehemiah prayed,] "Our God, hear us. We are despised. Turn their insults back on them, and let them be robbed in the land where they are prisoners.
Good News TranslationI prayed, "Hear how they make fun of us, O God! Let their ridicule fall on their own heads. Let them be robbed of everything they have, and let them be taken as prisoners to a foreign land.
International Standard Version"Listen, our God, because we are being mocked. Let their insults fall back on them, and let them be dragged away as captives into exile.
NET BibleHear, O our God, for we are despised! Return their reproach on their own head! Reduce them to plunder in a land of exile!
New Heart English Bible"Hear, our God; for we are despised; and turn back their insults on their own head, give them up for a spoil in a land of captivity;
Webster's Bible TranslationHear, O our God; for we are despised: and turn their reproach upon their own head, and give them for a prey in the land of captivity: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleHear us, O God, for we are despised. Turn their scorn back upon their own heads, and let them be taken as plunder to a land of captivity.
World English Bible“Hear, our God, for we are despised. Turn back their reproach on their own head. Give them up for a plunder in a land of captivity. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionHear, O our God, for we have been despised; and return their reproach on their own head, and give them for a spoil in a land of captivity;
Young's Literal Translation Hear, O our God, for we have been despised; and turn back their reproach on their own head, and give them for a spoil in a land of captivity;
Smith's Literal TranslationHear, O our God; for we were despised: and turn back their reproach upon their head, and wilt thou give them for plunder in the land of captivity? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleHear thou our God, for we are despised: turn their reproach upon their own head, and give them to be despised in a land of captivity.
Catholic Public Domain VersionListen, O our God, for we have become an object of contempt. Turn their reproach upon their own head, and grant that they may be despised in a land of captivity.
New American BibleHear, our God, how we were mocked! Turn back their reproach upon their own heads and deliver them up as plunder in a land of captivity!
New Revised Standard VersionHear, O our God, for we are despised; turn their taunt back on their own heads, and give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleHear, O our God, for we have become ridiculed; and turn their reproach upon their own head, and give them for a prey in the land of their captivity:
Peshitta Holy Bible Translated“Hear our God, for we are a laughing stock, and return their shame to their heads, and give them as prey in the land of their captivity. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Hear, O our God; for we are despised; and turn back their reproach upon their own head, and give them up to spoiling in a land of captivity;
Brenton Septuagint TranslationHear, O our God, for we have become a scorn; and return thou their reproach upon their head, and make them a scorn in a land of captivity,
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Work is Ridiculed… 3Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, “If even a fox were to climb up on what they are building, it would break down their wall of stones!” 4Hear us,O God,forwe aredespised.Turntheir scornback upontheir own heads,and let them be takenas plunderto a landof captivity.5Do not cover up their iniquity or let their sin be blotted out from Your sight, for they have provoked the builders.…
Cross References Psalm 123:3-4Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy, for we have endured much contempt. / We have endured much scorn from the arrogant, much contempt from the proud.
Psalm 79:12Pay back into the laps of our neighbors sevenfold the reproach they hurled at You, O Lord.
Psalm 44:13-14You have made us a reproach to our neighbors, a mockery and derision to those around us. / You have made us a byword among the nations, a laughingstock among the peoples.
Psalm 69:19-20You know my reproach, my shame and disgrace. All my adversaries are before You. / Insults have broken my heart, and I am in despair. I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found no one.
Psalm 74:22-23Rise up, O God; defend Your cause! Remember how the fool mocks You all day long. / Do not disregard the clamor of Your adversaries, the uproar of Your enemies that ascends continually.
Psalm 89:50-51Remember, O Lord, the reproach of Your servants, which I bear in my heart from so many people— / how Your enemies have taunted, O LORD, and have mocked every step of Your anointed one!
Isaiah 37:16-20“O LORD of Hosts, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth. / Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see. Listen to all the words that Sennacherib has sent to defy the living God. / Truly, O LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all these countries and their lands. ...
Jeremiah 18:19-23Attend to me, O LORD. Hear what my accusers are saying! / Should good be repaid with evil? Yet they have dug a pit for me. Remember how I stood before You to speak good on their behalf, to turn Your wrath from them. / Therefore, hand their children over to famine; pour out the power of the sword upon them. Let their wives become childless and widowed; let their husbands be slain by disease, their young men struck down by the sword in battle. ...
Lamentations 3:61-64O LORD, You have heard their insults, all their plots against me— / the slander and murmuring of my assailants against me all day long. / When they sit and when they rise, see how they mock me in song. ...
2 Kings 19:16-19Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see. Listen to the words that Sennacherib has sent to defy the living God. / Truly, O LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste these nations and their lands. / They have cast their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods, but only wood and stone—the work of human hands. ...
Acts 4:29-30And now, Lord, consider their threats, and enable Your servants to speak Your word with complete boldness, / as You stretch out Your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.”
Matthew 5:11-12Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. / Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.
Romans 12:19-21Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” / On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.” / Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
1 Peter 4:14If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
2 Thessalonians 1:6-7After all, it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, / and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well. This will take place when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels
Treasury of Scripture Hear, O our God; for we are despised: and turn their reproach on their own head, and give them for a prey in the land of captivity: Hear Psalm 123:3,4 Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt… despised. 1 Samuel 17:26 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for whois this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God? Psalm 79:12 And render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord. Proverbs 3:34 Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly. Jump to Previous CaptivesCaptivityDespisedEarHeadHeadsHearInsultsPlunderPlunderedPreyPrisonersReproachShameSpoilSpoilingTauntThemselvesTurnTurnedWastingWordsJump to Next CaptivesCaptivityDespisedEarHeadHeadsHearInsultsPlunderPlunderedPreyPrisonersReproachShameSpoilSpoilingTauntThemselvesTurnTurnedWastingWordsNehemiah 4 1.While the enemies scoff, Nehemiah prays and continues the work7.Understanding the wrath and secrets of the enemy, he sets a watch13.He arms the laborers19.and gives military preceptsHear us, O GodThis phrase reflects Nehemiah's immediate turn to prayer in response to opposition. It demonstrates the importance of seeking divine intervention in times of distress. The act of calling upon God is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, seen in Psalms ( Psalm 4:1) and the prophets ( Jeremiah 33:3), emphasizing reliance on God's power rather than human strength. for we are despised
The Jews faced ridicule and contempt from their enemies, particularly Sanballat and Tobiah, who mocked their efforts to rebuild Jerusalem's walls. This scorn is reminiscent of the Israelites' experiences in Egypt and Babylon, where they were also despised and oppressed. The theme of God's people facing derision is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are warned they will face persecution (John 15:18-19). Turn their scorn back upon their own heads
This imprecatory prayer seeks justice, asking God to reverse the insults and plans of the enemies. It aligns with the principle of divine retribution found in the Old Testament, where God often turns the schemes of the wicked back on themselves (Psalm 7:15-16). This reflects a trust in God's justice and sovereignty. and let them be taken as plunder to a land of captivity
This request for the enemies to experience the same fate they wish upon the Jews is a call for poetic justice. It echoes the historical context of the Babylonian exile, where the Jews themselves were taken captive. The phrase also foreshadows the ultimate judgment and reversal of fortunes seen in prophetic literature, such as in the book of Revelation, where the oppressors of God's people face divine judgment. Persons / Places / Events 1. NehemiahThe central figure in the book, Nehemiah is a Jewish leader who is instrumental in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. He is known for his strong leadership and deep faith in God. 2. JerusalemThe city where the events take place. At this time, Jerusalem's walls are in ruins, and the city is vulnerable to attack and ridicule from surrounding enemies. 3. Sanballat and TobiahThese are adversaries of Nehemiah and the Jewish people. They mock and attempt to thwart the rebuilding efforts, representing opposition to God's work. 4. The Jewish PeopleThe community working under Nehemiah's leadership to rebuild the walls. They face external threats and internal discouragement. 5. GodThe ultimate protector and provider for Nehemiah and the Jewish people. Nehemiah's prayer reflects his reliance on God for justice and protection. Teaching Points Prayer as a First ResponseNehemiah immediately turns to God in prayer when faced with opposition. This teaches us to prioritize prayer in our own challenges. Trust in God's JusticeNehemiah's prayer reflects a deep trust in God's ability to handle his enemies. We are reminded to trust God to right wrongs rather than seeking personal revenge. Facing Opposition with FaithThe ridicule from Sanballat and Tobiah did not deter Nehemiah. We can learn to stand firm in our faith and mission despite external pressures. Community in ActionNehemiah's leadership and the people's collective effort highlight the importance of community in achieving God's purposes. God's SovereigntyThe prayer acknowledges God's control over all situations, encouraging us to recognize His sovereignty in our lives. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Nehemiah 4:4?
2.How does Nehemiah 4:4 demonstrate reliance on God during opposition?
3.What can we learn from Nehemiah's prayer about handling criticism today?
4.How does Nehemiah 4:4 connect with Matthew 5:44 on loving enemies?
5.In what ways can Nehemiah's response inspire our prayer life?
6.How can Nehemiah 4:4 guide us in trusting God amidst challenges?
7.What does Nehemiah 4:4 reveal about the power of prayer in adversity?
8.How does Nehemiah 4:4 demonstrate reliance on God against opposition?
9.What historical context surrounds Nehemiah's prayer in Nehemiah 4:4?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Nehemiah 4?
11.Nehemiah 4:4–5: Why would a just and merciful God sanction curses against enemies, conflicting with later teachings of forgiveness?
12.How does 1 Timothy 4:4 align with observable harmful aspects of the natural world if 'everything created by God is good'?
13.Hosea 13:4: How can God declare 'there is no Savior besides Me' while other passages depict human saviors or mediators, seeming to contradict this exclusivity?
14.James 4:8 promises closeness with God if people draw near to Him--how can this be tested or verified scientifically or historically?What Does Nehemiah 4:4 Mean Hear us, O GodNehemiah’s first instinct when opposition rises is prayer, not argument. He models the plea ofPsalm 17:6, “I call on You, for You will answer me, O God.” Like King Jehoshaphat in2 Chronicles 20:12, he looks past human hostility to the Lord who rules every circumstance. By beginning with “Hear us,” he acknowledges that success in rebuilding Jerusalem’s wall rests entirely on God’s active intervention.
For we are despisedSanballat and Tobiah mock the workers (Nehemiah 4:1–3), belittling their faith and effort. Nehemiah names the wound—“we are despised”—echoing the heart-cry ofPsalm 123:3-4, where God’s people ask for mercy because they are “scorned by the proud.” Recognizing contempt is not self-pity; it is honest lament that drives the faithful to the One who sees and values them. Like David before Goliath (1 Samuel 17:42-47), ridicule becomes a platform for God to display His honor.
Turn their scorn back upon their own headsNehemiah petitions God to make the enemy reap what they sow, parallelingPsalm 7:15-16 andProverbs 26:27. This is righteous appeal, not personal vendetta; he entrusts vengeance to God (Romans 12:19) while he continues the work. Such imprecatory language underscores God’s justice: mocking His purposes is ultimately self-destructive.Esther 7:10 offers a vivid precedent—Haman is hanged on the gallows he built for Mordecai.
Let them be taken as plunder to a land of captivityThe builders themselves had only recently returned from exile; they know the weight of captivity. By asking that their foes be “plunder” in exile, Nehemiah invokes covenant warnings likeDeuteronomy 28:36 andJeremiah 18:21-23. He is not inventing a punishment; he is appealing to God to enforce the judgments He has already pronounced on persistent rebellion.Jeremiah 30:16 assures, “All who devour you will be devoured,” affirming that God defends His people and turns the plans of the wicked into instruments of His glory.
summaryNehemiah 4:4 captures a leader’s reflexive dependence on God amid scorn. He prays: • God, listen—because only You can help. • We are mocked—You value us when others do not. • Reverse their ridicule—display Your justice. • Remove the threat—deal decisively with persistent opposition. The verse calls believers to answer hostility with prayer, confidence in divine justice, and unwavering commitment to the work God has given them. (4) Hear, O our God.--The habit of Nehemiah is to turn everything to devotion as he goes on. This prayer is full of an angry jealousy for the honour of a jealous God. They have provoked thee.--The tone of its holy revenge pervades the Old Testament, and has not altogether departed in the New. Verse 4. - Hear, O our God. Compare Ezra's parenthetic burst of thanksgiving ( Ezra 7:27, 28). That which in Ezra was a sudden impulse has become a settled habit with Nehemiah (comp. Nehemiah 5:19; Nehemiah 6:9, 14; Nehemiah 13:14, 22, 29, 31). Turn their reproach upon their own head. The imprecations of Nehemiah are no pattern to Christians, any more than are those of the Psalmists ( Psalm 69:22-28; Psalm 79:12; Psalm 109:6-20, etc.); but it cannot be denied that they are imprecations. Before men were taught to "love their enemies," and "bless those that cursed them" ( Matthew 5:44), they gave vent to their natural feelings of anger and indignation by the utterance of maledictions. Nehemiah's spirit was hot and hasty; and as he records of himself ( Nehemiah 13:25) that he "cursed" certain Jews who had taken foreign wives, so it is not to be wondered at that he uttered imprecations against his persistent enemies.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Hear us,שְׁמַ֤ע(šə·ma‘)Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 8085:To hear intelligentlyO God,אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙(’ĕ·lō·hê·nū)Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlativeforכִּֽי־(kî-)Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctionwe areהָיִ֣ינוּ(hā·yî·nū)Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, bedespised.בוּזָ֔ה(ḇū·zāh)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 939:Something scorned, an object of contemptTurnוְהָשֵׁ֥ב(wə·hā·šêḇ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 7725:To turn back, in, to retreat, againtheir scornחֶרְפָּתָ֖ם(ḥer·pā·ṯām)Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 2781:Contumely, disgrace, the pudendaback uponאֶל־(’el-)Preposition
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, totheir own heads,רֹאשָׁ֑ם(rō·šām)Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 7218:The headand let them be takenוּתְנֵ֥ם(ū·ṯə·nêm)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5414:To give, put, setas plunderלְבִזָּ֖ה(lə·ḇiz·zāh)Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 961:Spoil, bootyto a landבְּאֶ֥רֶץ(bə·’e·reṣ)Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776:Earth, landof captivity.שִׁבְיָֽה׃(šiḇ·yāh)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7633:Captivity, captives
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OT History: Nehemiah 4:4 Hear our God (Neh Ne) |
