Nehemiah 4:13

13 So in the lower parts of the space behind the wall, I stationed men according to their families, with their swords, spears and bows.

Nehemiah 4:13 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 4:13

Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall
Where the wall was lowest, and the enemy could more easily break it down, or get over it:

and on the higher places;
where the wall was higher; or rather on the towers upon the walls, as the word signifies the tops of rocks, which are dry and smooth, see ( Ezekiel 24:2 Ezekiel 24:8 ) .

I even set the people after their families;
according to their rank, number, strength, and valour:

with their swords, their spears, and their bows;
with weapons they could use both near, and at a distance.

Nehemiah 4:13 In-Context

11 Our enemies were saying, "They won't know or see anything, until we have already infiltrated them and begun killing them and stopping the work."

12 And even the Judeans living near them came and must have said to us ten times, "From every place you must come back to us."

13 So in the lower parts of the space behind the wall, I stationed men according to their families, with their swords, spears and bows.

14 After inspecting them, I stood up and addressed the nobles, leaders and the rest of the people: "Don't be afraid of them! Remember Adonai, who is great and fearful; and fight for your brothers, sons, daughters, wives and homes."

15 When our enemies heard that the plot was known to us, and God had foiled their plans, we all returned to the wall, everyone to his work.