Nehemiah 4:5 Meaning and Explanation
“And cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before thee: for they have provoked thee to anger before the builders.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Nehemiah continues his prayer, asking God not to overlook the enemies' guilt, since their scorn was an affront to God Himself.
What Does Nehemiah 4:5 Mean?
Nehemiah's prayer presses further, asking that the mockers' sin not be wiped away. He understands their contempt as more than an insult to the builders: it is a provocation against God, voiced in the very presence of those at work.
Nehemiah leaves vengeance entirely with God rather than taking it into his own hands. His plea reflects a zeal for God's honor more than personal grievance, for the enemies had set themselves against the Lord's work. Such prayers remind us that opposition to God's purposes is finally answered by God, who sees every wrong and judges with perfect justice.
Nehemiah 4:5 in the Original Language
blotted out -- the Hebrew machah (מָחָה) means to wipe away or erase, as one wipes writing from a surface.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nehemiah 4:5
What does Nehemiah 4:5 mean?
Nehemiah continues his prayer, asking God not to overlook the enemies' guilt, since their scorn was an affront to God Himself.