In the province, i.e. in Judea, which was now made a province under the Persian monarchs: See Poole on "Ezra 5:8". In great affliction and reproach; despised and distressed by the neighbouring nations. The wall is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned, i.e. the walls and gates continue in the same woeful plight in which Nebuchadnezzar left them; the Jews not being yet 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. And this made their enemies scorn them; who also would have ruined them, but for fear of offending the Persian king.
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.