Adam Clarke, on Neh 4:4

“Hear thou our God, for we are despised: turn their reproach upon their own head, and give them to be despised in a land of captivity.”

“Turn their reproach upon their own head - A prayer of this kind, understood literally, is not lawful for any Christian. Jesus, our great master, has said, "Love your enemies; do good to them that hate you; and pray for them that despitefully use you." Such sayings as the above are excusable in the mouth of a Jew, under severe irritation. See the next verse, Neh 4:5 (note).”

Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.