King James Version

What Does Nehemiah 1:3 Mean?

Nehemiah 1:3 in the King James Version says “And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and repr...” — study this verse from Nehemiah chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.”

Nehemiah 1:3 · KJV

Context

1

The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace,

2

That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.

3

And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.

4

And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,

5

And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:

Read Nehemiah 1 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.

The report reveals devastating conditions. 'Great affliction' (ra'ah gedolah, רָעָה גְדֹלָה) indicates severe distress and calamity. 'Reproach' (cherpah, חֶרְפָּה) suggests shame, disgrace, and mockery—the covenant people suffering humiliation before pagans who interpreted their weakness as their God's weakness. The province (medinah, מְדִינָה) refers to Judah as a Persian administrative district, emphasizing their subjugated status.

The broken wall and burned gates left Jerusalem defenseless and dishonored. Walls provided security from enemies, dignity for inhabitants, and testimony to observers. Their destruction likely resulted from events around 446 BC when opponents successfully stopped rebuilding efforts (Ezra 4:7-23). The phrase 'burned with fire' indicates deliberate, thorough destruction—not mere decay but hostile action. Theologically, this represented more than physical ruin; the holy city's disgrace reflected poorly on Yahweh's reputation among nations. The city bearing God's name lying in ruins created theological crisis demanding resolution.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern cities derived security, commerce, and status from their walls. Fortifications demonstrated power and provided protection from raiders and invading armies. Jerusalem's broken walls left the population vulnerable to attack and economic exploitation. The mention of burned gates suggests relatively recent destruction—timber would have decomposed if from the Babylonian destruction of 586 BC, over 140 years prior.

The 'reproach' reflects how ancient peoples viewed national deities through their peoples' fortunes. If Israel suffered, observers concluded Yahweh was weak. This dynamic appears throughout the prophets (Ezekiel 36:20-23) where God acts for His name's sake. The struggle of the post-exilic community, despite divine promises of restoration, created dissonance requiring faith in God's ultimate purposes despite present circumstances.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the church's current state (whether strong or weak, faithful or compromised) affect the world's perception of Christ?
  2. What 'walls' in your life or community are broken down, leaving you spiritually vulnerable and without effective witness?
  3. How do you maintain faith in God's promises when obedience leads to continued hardship rather than immediate blessing?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֮1 of 18

“And they said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לִי֒2 of 18
H0
נִשְׁאֲר֤וּ3 of 18

“that are left”

H7604

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant

אֲשֶֽׁר4 of 18
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

נִשְׁאֲר֤וּ5 of 18

“that are left”

H7604

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant

מִן6 of 18
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַשְּׁבִי֙7 of 18

“of the captivity”

H7628

exiled; captured; as noun, exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively); by extension, booty

שָׁ֣ם8 of 18
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

בַּמְּדִינָ֔ה9 of 18

“there in the province”

H4082

properly, a judgeship, i.e., jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a judge); generally, a region

בְּרָעָ֥ה10 of 18

“affliction”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

גְדֹלָ֖ה11 of 18

“are in great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

וּבְחֶרְפָּ֑ה12 of 18

“and reproach”

H2781

contumely, disgrace, the pudenda

וְחוֹמַ֤ת13 of 18

“the wall”

H2346

a wall of protection

יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙14 of 18

“of Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

מְפֹרָ֔צֶת15 of 18

“also is broken down”

H6555

to break out (in many applications, direct and indirect, literal and figurative)

וּשְׁעָרֶ֖יהָ16 of 18

“and the gates”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

נִצְּת֥וּ17 of 18

“thereof are burned”

H3341

to burn or set on fire; figuratively, to desolate

בָאֵֽשׁ׃18 of 18

“with fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Nehemiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Nehemiah 1:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Nehemiah 1:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Nehemiah 2:172 Kings 25:10Nehemiah 2:3Ezra 5:8Nehemiah 2:13Nehemiah 7:6

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Nehemiah 1 →

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