Nehemiah 4:5
New International Version
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.

New Living Translation
Do not ignore their guilt. Do not blot out their sins, for they have provoked you to anger here in front of the builders.”

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
Do not cover up their iniquity or let their sin be blotted out from Your sight, for they have provoked the builders.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Do not cover their iniquity, and do not let their sin be blotted out from before You; for they have provoked You to anger before the builders.

New American Standard Bible
Do not forgive their guilt and do not let their sin be wiped out before You, for they have demoralized the builders.

NASB 1995
Do not forgive their iniquity and let not their sin be blotted out before You, for they have demoralized the builders.

NASB 1977
Do not forgive their iniquity and let not their sin be blotted out before Thee, for they have demoralized the builders.

Legacy Standard Bible
Do not forgive their iniquity and let not their sin be blotted out before You, for they have vexed the builders.

Amplified Bible
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].

Christian Standard Bible
Do not cover their guilt or let their sin be erased from your sight, because they have angered the builders.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Do not cover their guilt or let their sin be erased from Your sight, because they have provoked the builders.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
Don't forgive the mean and evil way they have insulted the builders."

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Don't ignore their guilt, and don't let their sins disappear from your records. They have insulted you in front of these builders."

Good News Translation
Don't forgive the evil they do and don't forget their sins, for they have insulted us who are building."

International Standard Version
Don't atone their iniquity, and don't let their sin be blotted out from before you, because they have demoralized the builders."

Majority Standard Bible
Do not cover up their iniquity or let their sin be blotted out from Your sight, for they have provoked the builders.

NET Bible
Do not cover their iniquity, and do not wipe out their sin from before them. For they have bitterly offended the builders!

New Heart English Bible
do not cover their iniquity, and do not let their sin be blotted out from before you; for they have insulted the builders."

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
Don’t cover their iniquity. Don’t let their sin be blotted out from before you; for they have insulted the builders.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
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.

Young's Literal Translation
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.

Smith's Literal Translation
And thou wilt not cover over their iniquity, and their sin shall not be wiped away before thee: for they provoked before the builders.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before thy face, because they have mocked thy builders.

Catholic Public Domain Version
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.

New American Bible
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!

New Revised Standard Version
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.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
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.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Do not forgive their debts, and let not their sins be blotted out before you, because they rage against the building that we build!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before Thee; for they have vexed Thee before the builders.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and do not cover their iniquity.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Work is Ridiculed
4Hear 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. 5Do not cover up their iniquity or let their sin be blotted out from Your sight, for they have provoked the builders. 6So we rebuilt the wall until all of it was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.…

Cross References
Psalm 69:27-28
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.

Jeremiah 18:23
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.

Psalm 109:14-15
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.

Isaiah 64:9
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!

Lamentations 1:22
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.

Psalm 79:12
Pay back into the laps of our neighbors sevenfold the reproach they hurled at You, O Lord.

Psalm 83:9-18
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, ...

2 Kings 19:16
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.

2 Chronicles 36:16
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.

Jeremiah 11:20
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.

Matthew 23:35
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.

Luke 11:50-51
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.

Acts 7:60
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.

Romans 12:19
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.”

2 Timothy 4:14
Alexander the coppersmith did great harm to me. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

cover not

Psalm 59:5-13
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…

Psalm 69:27
Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into thy righteousness.

Psalm 109:14
Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with the LORD; and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out.

their sin

Psalm 51:1,9
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…

Isaiah 43:25
I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

Isaiah 44:22
I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.

before the builders

Isaiah 36:11,12
Then said Eliakim and Shebna and Joah unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, unto thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and speak not to us in the Jews' language, in the ears of the people that are on the wall…

Jump to Previous
Anger Blot Blotted Builders Building Cover Covered Demoralized Face Forgive Guilt Iniquity Insults Over-Against Provoked Sight Sin Sins Thrown Vexed Washed Wrongdoing
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Anger Blot Blotted Builders Building Cover Covered Demoralized Face Forgive Guilt Iniquity Insults Over-Against Provoked Sight Sin Sins Thrown Vexed Washed Wrongdoing
Nehemiah 4
1. While the enemies scoff, Nehemiah prays and continues the work
7. Understanding the wrath and secrets of the enemy, he sets a watch
13. He arms the laborers
19. and gives military precepts














Do not cover up their iniquity
This phrase reflects a plea for divine justice. In the context of Nehemiah, the opposition faced by the Jews rebuilding Jerusalem's walls was intense. Nehemiah's prayer is a call for God not to overlook the sins of their enemies. This echoes the imprecatory psalms, where the psalmist calls for God's judgment on the wicked (e.g., Psalm 69:27). Theologically, it underscores the belief in God's righteousness and justice, where sin must be acknowledged and dealt with.

or let their sin be blotted out from Your sight
The concept of sin being "blotted out" is significant in biblical theology, often associated with forgiveness and atonement (e.g., Psalm 51:1). Here, however, Nehemiah asks for the opposite, emphasizing the seriousness of the opposition's actions. This reflects the covenantal understanding that sin has consequences and must be addressed by God. The phrase also highlights the belief in God's omniscience, where nothing is hidden from His sight.

for they have provoked the builders
The term "provoked" indicates deliberate antagonism. Historically, the builders faced threats and ridicule from surrounding nations, including the Samaritans and Ammonites, who were threatened by the restoration of Jerusalem. This opposition is documented in the earlier chapters of Nehemiah and reflects the broader historical context of post-exilic Judah, where returning exiles faced hostility. Theologically, this can be seen as a type of spiritual warfare, where God's people face opposition in fulfilling His purposes, a theme echoed in the New Testament (e.g., Ephesians 6:12).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Nehemiah
The central figure in the book, Nehemiah is a Jewish leader who is instrumental in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. He is known for his strong leadership and deep faith in God.

2. The Builders
These are the Jewish people who are working under Nehemiah's leadership to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. They face opposition and threats from surrounding enemies.

3. Sanballat and Tobiah
These are the main antagonists in the account, local officials who oppose the rebuilding efforts and seek to discourage and intimidate the builders.

4. Jerusalem
The city whose walls are being rebuilt. It holds significant religious and cultural importance for the Jewish people.

5. God
The ultimate authority to whom Nehemiah prays, seeking justice and protection for the builders.
Teaching Points
The Power of Prayer in Adversity
Nehemiah's response to opposition is to pray. This teaches us the importance of turning to God in times of trouble and seeking His guidance and justice.

Righteous Anger and Justice
Nehemiah's prayer reflects a desire for justice rather than personal vengeance. It is crucial to distinguish between righteous anger and personal vendettas.

Faithful Leadership
Nehemiah exemplifies strong, faith-driven leadership. Leaders today can learn from his example of prioritizing God's will and the welfare of the community.

The Role of Community in God's Work
The builders represent a community united in purpose. This highlights the importance of collective effort and support in fulfilling God's plans.

Trusting God's Sovereignty
Nehemiah's prayer shows his trust in God's sovereignty over human affairs. Believers are encouraged to trust that God sees and will address injustices.Verse 5. - Cover not their iniquity, etc. Some of David's imprecations are very similar (Psalm 109:7, 14, 15, etc.), as also some of Jeremiah's (Jeremiah 18:23). They have provoked thee to anger before the builders. It is not as if they had merely "thought 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.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Do not
וְאַל־ (wə·’al-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

cover up
תְּכַס֙ (tə·ḵas)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect Jussive - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3680: To plump, fill up hollows, to cover

their iniquity
עֲוֺנָ֔ם (‘ă·wō·nām)
Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5771: Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity

or let their sin
וְחַטָּאתָ֖ם (wə·ḥaṭ·ṭā·ṯām)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 2403: An offence, its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, expiation, an offender

be blotted out
תִּמָּחֶ֑ה (tim·mā·ḥeh)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 4229: To stroke, rub, to erase, to smooth, grease, make fat, to touch, reach to

from Your sight,
מִלְּפָנֶ֣יךָ (mil·lə·p̄ā·ne·ḵā)
Preposition-m, Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face

for
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

they have provoked
הִכְעִ֖יסוּ (hiḵ·‘î·sū)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3707: To trouble, to grieve, rage, be indignant

the builders.
הַבּוֹנִֽים׃ (hab·bō·w·nîm)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 1129: To build


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OT History: Nehemiah 4:5 And don't cover their iniquity and don't (Neh Ne)
Nehemiah 4:4
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