CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Nehemiah 4:5 Do not cover up their iniquity or let their sin be blotted out from Your sight, for they have provoked the builders.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/nehemiah/4-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/16_Neh_04_05.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Nehemiah 4:5 - The Work is Ridiculed" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Do not cover up their iniquity or let their sin be blotted out from Your sight, for they have provoked the builders." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/nehemiah/4-5.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/nehemiah/4-5.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/nehemiah/">Nehemiah</a> > <a href="/nehemiah/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 5</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/nehemiah/4-4.htm" title="Nehemiah 4:4">◄</a> Nehemiah 4:5 <a href="/nehemiah/4-6.htm" title="Nehemiah 4:6">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/nehemiah/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/nehemiah/4.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of the builders.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/nehemiah/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Do not ignore their guilt. Do not blot out their sins, for they have provoked you to anger here in front of the builders.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/nehemiah/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Do not cover their guilt, and let not their sin be blotted out from your sight, for they have provoked you to anger in the presence of the builders.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/nehemiah/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not cover up their iniquity or let their sin be blotted out from Your sight, for they have provoked the builders.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/nehemiah/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before thee: for they have provoked <i>thee</i> to anger before the builders.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/nehemiah/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Do not cover their iniquity, and do not let their sin be blotted out from before You; for they have provoked <i>You</i> to anger before the builders.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/nehemiah/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not forgive their guilt and do not let their sin be wiped out before You, for they have demoralized the builders.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/nehemiah/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Do not forgive their iniquity and let not their sin be blotted out before You, for they have demoralized the builders.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/nehemiah/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Do not forgive their iniquity and let not their sin be blotted out before Thee, for they have demoralized the builders.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/nehemiah/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Do not forgive their iniquity and let not their sin be blotted out before You, for they have vexed the builders.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/nehemiah/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Do not forgive their wrongdoing and do not let their sin be wiped out before You, for they have offended the builders [and provoked You].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/nehemiah/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not cover their guilt or let their sin be erased from your sight, because they have angered the builders.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/nehemiah/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not cover their guilt or let their sin be erased from Your sight, because they have provoked the builders. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/nehemiah/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/nehemiah/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Don't forgive the mean and evil way they have insulted the builders." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/nehemiah/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/nehemiah/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Don't ignore their guilt, and don't let their sins disappear from your records. They have insulted you in front of these builders."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/nehemiah/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Don't forgive the evil they do and don't forget their sins, for they have insulted us who are building." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/nehemiah/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Don't atone their iniquity, and don't let their sin be blotted out from before you, because they have demoralized the builders."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/nehemiah/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not cover up their iniquity or let their sin be blotted out from Your sight, for they have provoked the builders.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/nehemiah/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Do not cover their iniquity, and do not wipe out their sin from before them. For they have bitterly offended the builders! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/nehemiah/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />do not cover their iniquity, and do not let their sin be blotted out from before you; for they have insulted the builders."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/nehemiah/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/nehemiah/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Don’t cover their iniquity. Don’t let their sin be blotted out from before you; for they have insulted the builders.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/nehemiah/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and do not cover over their iniquity, and do not let their sin be blotted out from before You, for they have provoked [You] to anger in front of those building.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/nehemiah/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and do not cover over their iniquity, and their sin from before Thee let not be blotted out, for they have provoked to anger -- over-against those building.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/nehemiah/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And thou wilt not cover over their iniquity, and their sin shall not be wiped away before thee: for they provoked before the builders.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/nehemiah/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before thy face, because they have mocked thy builders. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/nehemiah/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />May you not conceal their iniquity, and may their sin not be wiped away, before your face, for they have ridiculed those who are building.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/nehemiah/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Do not hide their crime and do not let their sin be blotted out in your sight, for they insulted the builders to their faces!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/nehemiah/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Do not cover their guilt, and do not let their sin be blotted out from your sight; for they have hurled insults in the face of the builders.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/nehemiah/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And forgive not their offenses, and let not their sins be blotted out from before thee; for they are enraged, and have opposed the building which we are doing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/nehemiah/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Do not forgive their debts, and let not their sins be blotted out before you, because they rage against the building that we build!<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/nehemiah/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />and cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before Thee; for they have vexed Thee before the builders.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/nehemiah/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />and do not cover <i>their</i> iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/nehemiah/4-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZsQrw7rBvgc?start=818" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/nehemiah/4.htm">The Work is Ridiculed</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">4</span>Hear us, O God, for we are despised. Turn their scorn back upon their own heads, and let them be taken as plunder to a land of captivity. <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: wə·’al- (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">Do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3680.htm" title="3680: tə·ḵas (V-Piel-Imperf.Jus-2ms) -- To cover. A primitive root; properly, to plump, i.e. Fill up hollows; by implication, to cover.">cover up</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5771.htm" title="5771: ‘ă·wō·nām (N-csc:: 3mp) -- Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity. Or oavown; from avah; perversity, i.e. evil.">their iniquity</a> <a href="/hebrew/2403.htm" title="2403: wə·ḥaṭ·ṭā·ṯām (Conj-w:: N-fsc:: 3mp) -- Or chattacth; from chata'; an offence, and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also an offender.">or let their sin</a> <a href="/hebrew/4229.htm" title="4229: tim·mā·ḥeh (V-Nifal-Imperf-3fs) -- To stroke, rub, to erase, to smooth, grease, make fat, to touch, reach to.">be blotted out</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: mil·lə·p̄ā·ne·ḵā (Prep-m, Prep-l:: N-cpc:: 2ms) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">from Your sight,</a> <a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: ’al- (Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/3707.htm" title="3707: hiḵ·‘î·sū (V-Hifil-Perf-3cp) -- To be vexed or angry. A primitive root; to trouble; by implication, to grieve, rage, be indignant.">they have provoked</a> <a href="/hebrew/5048.htm" title="5048: lə·ne·ḡeḏ (Prep-l) -- From nagad; a front, i.e. Part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually over against or before."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1129.htm" title="1129: hab·bō·w·nîm (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To build. A primitive root; to build.">the builders.</a> </span><span class="reftext">6</span>So we rebuilt the wall until all of it was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/69-27.htm">Psalm 69:27-28</a></span><br />Add iniquity to their iniquity; let them not share in Your righteousness. / May they be blotted out of the Book of Life and not listed with the righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/18-23.htm">Jeremiah 18:23</a></span><br />But You, O LORD, know all their deadly plots against me. Do not wipe out their guilt or blot out their sin from Your sight. Let them be overthrown before You; deal with them in the time of Your anger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/109-14.htm">Psalm 109:14-15</a></span><br />May the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the LORD, and the sin of his mother never be blotted out. / May their sins always remain before the LORD, that He may cut off their memory from the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/64-9.htm">Isaiah 64:9</a></span><br />Do not be angry, O LORD, beyond measure; do not remember our iniquity forever. Oh, look upon us, we pray; we are all Your people!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/1-22.htm">Lamentations 1:22</a></span><br />Let all their wickedness come before You, and deal with them as You have dealt with me because of all my transgressions. For my groans are many, and my heart is faint.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/79-12.htm">Psalm 79:12</a></span><br />Pay back into the laps of our neighbors sevenfold the reproach they hurled at You, O Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/83-9.htm">Psalm 83:9-18</a></span><br />Do to them as You did to Midian, as to Sisera and Jabin at the River Kishon, / who perished at Endor and became like dung on the ground. / Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, and all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/19-16.htm">2 Kings 19:16</a></span><br />Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see. Listen to the words that Sennacherib has sent to defy the living God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/36-16.htm">2 Chronicles 36:16</a></span><br />But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/11-20.htm">Jeremiah 11:20</a></span><br />O LORD of Hosts, who judges righteously, who examines the heart and mind, let me see Your vengeance upon them, for to You I have committed my cause.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-35.htm">Matthew 23:35</a></span><br />And so upon you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/11-50.htm">Luke 11:50-51</a></span><br />As a result, this generation will be charged with the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the foundation of the world, / from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, all of it will be charged to this generation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-60.htm">Acts 7:60</a></span><br />Falling on his knees, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-19.htm">Romans 12:19</a></span><br />Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/4-14.htm">2 Timothy 4:14</a></span><br />Alexander the coppersmith did great harm to me. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before you: for they have provoked you to anger before the builders.</p><p class="hdg">cover not</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/59-5.htm">Psalm 59:5-13</a></b></br> Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/69-27.htm">Psalm 69:27</a></b></br> Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into thy righteousness.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/109-14.htm">Psalm 109:14</a></b></br> Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with the LORD; and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out.</p><p class="hdg">their sin</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/51-1.htm">Psalm 51:1,9</a></b></br> To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/43-25.htm">Isaiah 43:25</a></b></br> I, <i>even</i> I, <i>am</i> he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/44-22.htm">Isaiah 44:22</a></b></br> I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.</p><p class="hdg">before the builders</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/36-11.htm">Isaiah 36:11,12</a></b></br> Then said Eliakim and Shebna and Joah unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, unto thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand <i>it</i>: and speak not to us in the Jews' language, in the ears of the people that <i>are</i> on the wall… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_chronicles/34-25.htm">Anger</a> <a href="/2_kings/14-27.htm">Blot</a> <a href="/judges/21-17.htm">Blotted</a> <a href="/nehemiah/3-3.htm">Builders</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-3.htm">Building</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/9-16.htm">Cover</a> <a href="/nehemiah/3-15.htm">Covered</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-3.htm">Demoralized</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-3.htm">Face</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/7-14.htm">Forgive</a> <a href="/ezra/10-19.htm">Guilt</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/19-7.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-4.htm">Insults</a> <a href="/nehemiah/3-28.htm">Over-Against</a> <a href="/ezra/5-12.htm">Provoked</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-5.htm">Sight</a> <a href="/ezra/10-19.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/nehemiah/1-6.htm">Sins</a> <a href="/2_kings/19-18.htm">Thrown</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-27.htm">Vexed</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/4-6.htm">Washed</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-52.htm">Wrongdoing</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/nehemiah/9-17.htm">Anger</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-14.htm">Blot</a> <a href="/psalms/9-5.htm">Blotted</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-17.htm">Builders</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-6.htm">Building</a> <a href="/job/14-17.htm">Cover</a> <a href="/esther/4-3.htm">Covered</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-3.htm">Demoralized</a> <a href="/esther/1-14.htm">Face</a> <a href="/job/7-21.htm">Forgive</a> <a href="/job/10-6.htm">Guilt</a> <a href="/job/4-8.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/job/20-3.htm">Insults</a> <a href="/nehemiah/12-9.htm">Over-Against</a> <a href="/psalms/78-41.htm">Provoked</a> <a href="/nehemiah/8-5.htm">Sight</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-13.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-2.htm">Sins</a> <a href="/job/16-11.htm">Thrown</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-27.htm">Vexed</a> <a href="/job/9-30.htm">Washed</a> <a href="/job/1-22.htm">Wrongdoing</a><div class="vheading2">Nehemiah 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/nehemiah/4-1.htm">While the enemies scoff, Nehemiah prays and continues the work</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/nehemiah/4-7.htm">Understanding the wrath and secrets of the enemy, he sets a watch</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/nehemiah/4-13.htm">He arms the laborers</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/nehemiah/4-19.htm">and gives military precepts</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/nehemiah/4.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>Do not cover up their iniquity</b><br />The phrase "do not cover up" is a plea for divine justice. In the Hebrew context, the word for "cover" (כָּסָה, kasah) often implies forgiveness or atonement. Nehemiah is asking God not to forgive or overlook the sins of those opposing the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. This reflects a deep understanding of justice, where sin must be acknowledged and dealt with rather than ignored. Historically, this plea aligns with the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, where unrepentant sin leads to consequences.<p><b>or let their sin be blotted out</b><br />The concept of "blotting out" (מָחָה, machah) in Hebrew carries the idea of erasing or removing from memory. Nehemiah's request is that the sins of the adversaries remain before God, ensuring they face the repercussions of their actions. This reflects a belief in divine retribution and justice, where God is seen as the ultimate judge who remembers and acts upon the deeds of individuals and nations.<p><b>from Your sight</b><br />The phrase "from Your sight" emphasizes the omniscience of God. In the Hebrew tradition, God's "sight" (עֵינַיִם, enayim) is not limited to physical vision but encompasses His awareness and knowledge of all things. Nehemiah is invoking God's all-seeing nature to ensure that the sins of the enemies are not hidden or forgotten. This reflects a trust in God's ability to discern and judge rightly, reinforcing the belief that nothing escapes His notice.<p><b>for they have provoked the builders</b><br />The word "provoked" (כָּעַס, kaas) suggests inciting anger or frustration. The builders, who are working to restore Jerusalem, face opposition and hostility, which Nehemiah attributes to the adversaries' deliberate actions. This highlights the spiritual battle underlying the physical work, where opposition to God's purposes is seen as provoking not just the people but God Himself. Historically, this reflects the challenges faced by the Israelites in re-establishing their identity and worship in the promised land.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/nehemiah/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 5.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Cover not their iniquity</span>, etc. Some of David's imprecations are very similar (<a href="/psalms/109-7.htm">Psalm 109:7, 14, 15</a>, etc.), as also some of Jeremiah's (<a href="/jeremiah/18-23.htm">Jeremiah 18:23</a>). <span class="cmt_word">They have provoked thee to anger before the builders</span>. It is not as if they had merely "<span class="accented">thought</span> scorn" of thee, or insulted thee before one or two. They have uttered their insult publicly, so that it is known to the whole body of the builders. Therefore they deserve not to be forgiven. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/nehemiah/4-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Do not</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאַל־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">cover up</span><br /><span class="heb">תְּכַס֙</span> <span class="translit">(tə·ḵas)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect Jussive - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3680.htm">Strong's 3680: </a> </span><span class="str2">To plump, fill up hollows, to cover</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their iniquity</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲוֺנָ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·wō·nām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5771.htm">Strong's 5771: </a> </span><span class="str2">Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or let their sin</span><br /><span class="heb">וְחַטָּאתָ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḥaṭ·ṭā·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2403.htm">Strong's 2403: </a> </span><span class="str2">An offence, its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, expiation, an offender</span><br /><br /><span class="word">be blotted out</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּמָּחֶ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(tim·mā·ḥeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4229.htm">Strong's 4229: </a> </span><span class="str2">To stroke, rub, to erase, to smooth, grease, make fat, to touch, reach to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from Your sight,</span><br /><span class="heb">מִלְּפָנֶ֣יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(mil·lə·p̄ā·ne·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m, Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they have provoked</span><br /><span class="heb">הִכְעִ֖יסוּ</span> <span class="translit">(hiḵ·‘î·sū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3707.htm">Strong's 3707: </a> </span><span class="str2">To trouble, to grieve, rage, be indignant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the builders.</span><br /><span class="heb">הַבּוֹנִֽים׃</span> <span class="translit">(hab·bō·w·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1129.htm">Strong's 1129: </a> </span><span class="str2">To build</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/nehemiah/4-5.htm">Nehemiah 4:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/nehemiah/4-5.htm">Nehemiah 4:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/nehemiah/4-5.htm">Nehemiah 4:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/nehemiah/4-5.htm">Nehemiah 4:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/nehemiah/4-5.htm">Nehemiah 4:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/nehemiah/4-5.htm">Nehemiah 4:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/nehemiah/4-5.htm">Nehemiah 4:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/nehemiah/4-5.htm">Nehemiah 4:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/nehemiah/4-5.htm">Nehemiah 4:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/nehemiah/4-5.htm">Nehemiah 4:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/nehemiah/4-5.htm">OT History: Nehemiah 4:5 And don't cover their iniquity and don't (Neh Ne) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/nehemiah/4-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Nehemiah 4:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Nehemiah 4:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/nehemiah/4-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Nehemiah 4:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Nehemiah 4:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>