Where does the petition to let the enemies “be plundered in a land where they are captives” originate?
The Lord responded to humanity’s rebellion against him in Paradise by driving them out of the Garden and into a land of hostility (Genesis 3:17–19). In step with that initial example, the Lord promised Israel that he would punish their potential disobedience with exile from the Promised Land (Leviticus 26:33). With his petition Nehemiah is asking the Lord to be consistent with this earlier pattern.
4 Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives.