And it yieldeth much increase unto the kings whom thou hast set over us because of our sins: also they have dominion over our bodies, and over our cattle, at their pleasure, and we are in great distress.
The land produces abundant crops for the foreign kings you have placed over us because of our sins. These kings have complete control over our bodies and our livestock, doing whatever they want with us, and we are in terrible distress.
The writer is explaining how their disobedience to God resulted in foreign rulers controlling them and their resources, causing them great suffering.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Nehemiah, the Jewish people had returned from exile in Babylon and were attempting to rebuild their city and spiritual lives under Persian rule, which was a time of both restoration and ongoing oppression. This verse is part of a communal prayer of confession in chapter 9, where the Israelites reflected on their history of disobedience to God, acknowledging that their sins led to foreign domination and hardship. It specifically highlights how God allowed kings like the Persians to control their land and resources as a consequence of their unfaithfulness.
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