Nehemiah 2:20 (BSB)
So I answered them and said, “The God of heaven is the One who will grant us success. We, His servants, will start rebuilding, but you have no portion, right, or claim in Jerusalem.”
From Nehemiah 2. Also in the ESV.
Commentary on Nehemiah 2:20
- Matthew Henry (Presbyterian), Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on Nehemiah 2:9-20: We are here told, I. Now Nehemiah was dismissed by the court he was sent from. The king appointed captains of the army and horsemen to go with him (Neh 2:9), both for his guard and to show that he was a man whom the king did delight to honour, that all the king's servants might respect him accordingly.
- Geneva Bible Notes (Reformed), Geneva Bible Study Notes on Nehemiah 2:20: Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem. (k) Neither are you of the number of the children of God (to whom he has appointed this city only) neither did any of your predecessors ever fear God.
- Adam Clarke (Methodist), Clarke's Commentary on the Bible on Nehemiah 2:20: Ye have no portion, nor right - To be a citizen of Jerusalem was a high honor; and they would not permit those who did not belong to the tribes of Israel to dwell there. Zerubbabel gave the same answer to the Samaritans, Ezr 4:3.
- Keil & Delitzsch (Lutheran), Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament on Nehemiah 2:20: Neh 2:20 Nehemiah replied with impressive gravity: “The God of heaven, He will prosper us, and we His servants will arise and build; but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial in Jerusalem.” צדקה like 2Sa 19:29. זכּרון, memorial; only members of the congregation, who may hope to live in their descendants in Jerusalem, can be said to have a memorial there.