Nehemiah 2:17 Meaning and Explanation
“Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Nehemiah breaks his silence with a call to the people: come, let us rebuild Jerusalem's wall and end our disgrace.
What Does Nehemiah 2:17 Mean?
Now Nehemiah speaks. He names the shared distress honestly, Ye see the distress that we are in, then issues a stirring invitation, come, and let us build. Notice the word us; he joins himself fully to the people and their burden rather than commanding from above.
His appeal moves from honest grief to hopeful action and finally to purpose, that we be no more a reproach. The ruined wall is not merely a defense but a question of honor, for the city bears the name of God. Nehemiah inspires by identifying with the people, owning the problem alongside them, and pointing to a goal worth their united strength. True leadership says us before it says you.
Nehemiah 2:17 in the Original Language
cherpah (חֶרְפָּה), 'reproach' -- disgrace or scorn, the shame of a condition that invites the contempt of others.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nehemiah 2:17
What does Nehemiah 2:17 mean?
Nehemiah breaks his silence with a call to the people: come, let us rebuild Jerusalem's wall and end our disgrace.