Nehemiah replied to their questions in a deliberate and formal manner. His answer showed that their threat would not stop the rebuilding because the God of heaven (see Ezra 1.2) would make them prosper. Nehemiah did not refer to the authorization that he had received from the king. The real concern of these opponents was not that the Jews were rebelling against the king, but that they would lose their own authority and power. Nehemiah addressed their concerns directly: you have no portion or right or memorial in Jerusalem. Nehemiah denied that they had any civic, legal, or religious rights in Jerusalem.

The God of heaven will make us prosper: Nehemiah states that they will be successful because God will cause them to succeed. New English Bible has “The God of heaven will give us success.” See also Ezra 5.8 and 6.14 for the theme of prospering and being successful in their efforts.

We his servants: Nehemiah repeats the theme of being the servants of God (see Neh 1.6).

Will arise and build: Arise often has the meaning of beginning or starting a task as in Good News Translation (see Ezra 1.5 and verse 18 above).

But you have no portion or right or memorial in Jerusalem: No portion is used to indicate no political connection (see 2 Sam 20.1; 1 Kgs 12.16). Nehemiah declares that they have no legal share in the city of Jerusalem. Right refers to the legal right to exercise jurisdiction, and by using this word, Nehemiah states that they have no political rights over the city. Finally, he uses the word memorial, which refers to the traditional right to participate in the worship in the Temple. By using this word, he declares that they have no religious rights in Jerusalem.

Because of the technical implications of these three keywords, they are difficult to translate clearly without giving long explanations. New English Bible translates similarly to Revised Standard Version by saying “You have no stake, or claim, or traditional right in Jerusalem.” Good News Translation restructures to refer specifically to property rights and more generally to traditions. Some versions identify memorial with a historic right (so Contemporary English Version, New International Version) or with being remembered (so Parole de Vie). The last sentence may also be rendered “But as for you, you do not have the right to own anything in Jerusalem, or to have any authority in it, or to take part in its religious life!” Translators may use a footnote to explain the significance of Nehemiah’s words.

Quoted with permission from Noss, Philip A. and Thomas, Kenneth J. A Handbook on Nehemiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2005. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .