Introduction to Nehemiah 2:20: Grammar of Resolve and Boundary-Setting
In the face of opposition from adversaries like Sanballat, Toviyah, and Geshem, Neḥemyah declares a theological and communal statement of purpose. This verse is a stunning example of how Hebrew employs volitional forms (such as cohortatives) and possessive negation to draw sharp spiritual, legal, and territorial lines. The language is not merely defensive—it asserts destiny and exclusivity in the restoration of Yerushalayim.
וָאָשִׁ֨יב אֹותָ֜ם דָּבָ֗ר וָאֹומַ֤ר לָהֶם֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם ה֚וּא יַצְלִ֣יחַֽ לָ֔נוּ וַאֲנַ֥חְנוּ עֲבָדָ֖יו נָק֣וּם וּבָנִ֑ינוּ וְלָכֶ֗ם אֵֽין־חֵ֧לֶק וּצְדָקָ֛ה וְזִכָּרֹ֖ון בִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃
This verse exemplifies a confident response to opposition, utilizing cohortatives, prophetic certainty, and possessive negation to frame insider vs. outsider boundaries through grammar.
Analysis of Key Grammatical Features
1. וָאָשִׁ֨יב אֹותָ֜ם דָּבָ֗ר – “And I returned to them a word”
- וָאָשִׁ֨יב – Qal waw-consecutive 1cs of שׁ־ו־ב: “I answered / I returned”
- אֹותָם – accusative pronoun, 3mp: “them”
- דָּבָר – accusative of specification: “a word”
The waw-consecutive form וָאָשִׁ֨יב continues narrative progression. The verb שׁוּב here is used idiomatically for “giving a reply.” In Biblical Hebrew, to return a word means to respond, especially in formal or confrontational settings.
2. וָאֹומַ֤ר לָהֶם – “and I said to them”
- וָאֹומַר – Qal waw-consecutive 1cs of אָמַר: “I said”
- לָהֶם – preposition + 3mp suffix: “to them”
This clause formally introduces direct speech and heightens tension through its parallel structure with וָאָשִׁ֨יב. Hebrew narrative style favors this double action (“returned word” and “said”) for emphasis and rhetorical rhythm.
3. אֱלֹהֵ֣י הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם ה֚וּא יַצְלִ֣יחַ לָ֔נוּ – “The God of heaven—He will make us succeed”
- אֱלֹהֵי הַשָּׁמַיִם – construct chain: “God of the heavens”
- הוּא – emphatic subject pronoun: “He Himself”
- יַצְלִיחַ – Hiphil imperfect 3ms of צ־ל־ח: “He will cause to succeed”
- לָנוּ – preposition + 1cp suffix: “for us”
The phrase introduces divine agency using emphatic syntax. The Hiphil verb יַצְלִיחַ implies successful outcome through divine empowerment. This is not merely a prediction—it is a theological assertion encoded in grammar.
4. וַאֲנַ֥חְנוּ עֲבָדָ֖יו נָק֣וּם וּבָנִ֑ינוּ – “and we His servants will arise and build”
- וַאֲנַ֥חְנוּ עֲבָדָ֖יו – subject phrase with apposition: “we, His servants”
- נָקוּם – Qal cohortative 1cp of ק־ו־ם: “let us arise / we will arise”
- וּבָנִינוּ – Qal cohortative 1cp of ב־נ־ה: “and let us build / we will build”
The cohortative plural (first person) expresses intentional resolve—this is the syntax of committed purpose. Hebrew uses this form to declare decisive future action, often in covenant or prophetic contexts. The juxtaposition of נָקוּם with וּבָנִינוּ expresses physical and symbolic rebuilding.
5. וְלָכֶ֗ם אֵֽין־חֵ֧לֶק וּצְדָקָ֛ה וְזִכָּרֹ֖ון בִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם – “but you have no portion, or right, or memorial in Yerushalayim”
- אֵין – negative existential particle: “there is not”
- חֵלֶק / צְדָקָה / זִכָּרֹון – triplet of nouns: “portion / legal claim / memory”
- לָכֶם – indirect object with 2mp suffix: “for you”
- בִּירוּשָׁלָם – locative phrase: “in Yerushalayim”
This clause uses possessive negation to emphasize exclusion. The list of three nouns covers legal (חֵלֶק), moral (צְדָקָה), and historical (זִכָּרֹון) bases for claim. The grammar is ironclad: not only do the opponents lack participation—they lack right and remembrance.
Grammar of Resolve and Exclusion in Sacred Reconstruction
Nehemiah 2:20 skillfully weaves together cohortatives, emphatic divine subjects, and possessive negation to assert Israel’s exclusive right to rebuild Yerushalayim. The verb forms express resolve and certainty, while the syntax of exclusion isolates the adversaries from covenant participation. Hebrew grammar thus becomes a tool of boundary-marking—not just social or political, but theological and eschatological.
Volitional Syntax and Territorial Authority in Nehemiah’s Defense
This verse is a textbook example of how Biblical Hebrew expresses moral defiance and divine alignment. Through cohortatives and negation, the speaker both affirms divine partnership and denies any legitimacy to hostile forces. The grammar acts as theology: YHWH enables, His servants act, and outsiders are denied any foothold in the holy project.
