Nehemiah 2:20 - Then I answered them, and said to them, “The God of heaven will prosper us. Therefore we, his servants, will arise and build; but you have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.”
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What does "Nehemiah 2:20" mean?
This verse, Nehemiah 2:20, is a powerful statement of faith and determination by Nehemiah in the face of opposition. Let's break down its meaning:
"Then I answered them, and said to them...": This sets the context. Nehemiah is responding to his adversaries who are opposing his plans to rebuild Jerusalem's walls. These adversaries are mentioned earlier in the chapter and are likely Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem.
"The God of heaven will prosper us.": This is the core of Nehemiah's confidence. He believes that God is on their side and will grant them success in their endeavor. "The God of heaven" is a common way to refer to God, emphasizing His power and sovereignty over all things. This declares that their success isn't based on their own strength or resources, but on God's favor.
"Therefore we, his servants, will arise and build...": Because Nehemiah believes God will prosper them, he and his fellow Jews are determined to act. "Arise and build" is a call to action, a declaration of their commitment to rebuilding the walls despite the opposition. They see themselves as "his servants", highlighting their dedication and obedience to God's will.
"...but you have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.": This is a strong rejection of the adversaries' claims to involvement or ownership in Jerusalem. It's a multifaceted statement:
No portion: They have no share or stake in the city's ownership or inheritance.
No right: They have no legal or moral claim to participate in the rebuilding or to have any authority over Jerusalem.
No memorial: They have no historical or ancestral connection to Jerusalem that would grant them any claim. They are not part of the heritage or legacy of the city. It signifies that their names or actions would not be remembered or associated with Jerusalem's future.
In summary, the verse means:
Nehemiah, confident in God's favor and guidance, boldly declares to his opponents that God will bless the rebuilding of Jerusalem. He and his people, as God's servants, are committed to this task. Simultaneously, he denies the opponents any legitimate claim to Jerusalem, dismissing their involvement or influence in the city's future. It's a statement of faith, resolve, and a clear demarcation between those who are working for God's purposes and those who are hindering them. It also implies that Jerusalem is exclusively for the Jewish people who are dedicated to serving God.
Nehemiah 2:20 - Then I answered them, and said to them, “The God of heaven will prosper us. Therefore we, his servants, will arise and build; but you have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.”
What does "Nehemiah 2:20" mean?
This verse, Nehemiah 2:20, is a powerful statement of faith and determination by Nehemiah in the face of opposition. Let's break down its meaning:
"Then I answered them, and said to them...": This sets the context. Nehemiah is responding to his adversaries who are opposing his plans to rebuild Jerusalem's walls. These adversaries are mentioned earlier in the chapter and are likely Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem.
"The God of heaven will prosper us.": This is the core of Nehemiah's confidence. He believes that God is on their side and will grant them success in their endeavor. "The God of heaven" is a common way to refer to God, emphasizing His power and sovereignty over all things. This declares that their success isn't based on their own strength or resources, but on God's favor.
"Therefore we, his servants, will arise and build...": Because Nehemiah believes God will prosper them, he and his fellow Jews are determined to act. "Arise and build" is a call to action, a declaration of their commitment to rebuilding the walls despite the opposition. They see themselves as "his servants", highlighting their dedication and obedience to God's will.
"...but you have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.": This is a strong rejection of the adversaries' claims to involvement or ownership in Jerusalem. It's a multifaceted statement:
No portion: They have no share or stake in the city's ownership or inheritance.
No right: They have no legal or moral claim to participate in the rebuilding or to have any authority over Jerusalem.
No memorial: They have no historical or ancestral connection to Jerusalem that would grant them any claim. They are not part of the heritage or legacy of the city. It signifies that their names or actions would not be remembered or associated with Jerusalem's future.
In summary, the verse means:
Nehemiah, confident in God's favor and guidance, boldly declares to his opponents that God will bless the rebuilding of Jerusalem. He and his people, as God's servants, are committed to this task. Simultaneously, he denies the opponents any legitimate claim to Jerusalem, dismissing their involvement or influence in the city's future. It's a statement of faith, resolve, and a clear demarcation between those who are working for God's purposes and those who are hindering them. It also implies that Jerusalem is exclusively for the Jewish people who are dedicated to serving God.