They said, The remnant that are left in the province In Judea, which was now made a province under the Persian kings; are in great affliction and reproach Despised and distressed by the neighbouring nations. The wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, &c. The walls and gates continue as the Chaldeans left them after their conquest of the city, the Jews not being in a condition to rebuild them, nor having commission from the kings of Persia to do so, but only to build the temple, and their own private houses. This made their condition both very despicable, under the abiding marks of poverty and slavery, and very dangerous, for their enemies might, when they pleased, make an easy prey of them.
Related Commentaries of Nehemiah 1:3
Nehemiah 1:3
3 And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.