Nehemiah 4:15

Sword and Trowel

15 When our enemies realized that we knew their scheme and that God had frustrated it, every one of us returned to his own work on the wall.

Nehemiah 4:15 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 4:15

And it came to pass, when our enemies heard it was known unto
us
What they intended, as might be reported to them from the preparations made by the Jews to receive them, and defend themselves:

and God had brought their counsel to naught;
which was to come upon them secretly and unawares; but being discovered, they dropped their design, and their scheme came to nothing:

so that we returned all of us to the wall, every man to his work;
to that part of it where he wrought, in order to finish it.

Nehemiah 4:15 In-Context

13 So I stationed [people] behind the lowest sections of the wall, at the vulnerable areas. I stationed them by families with their swords, spears, and bows.

14 After I made an inspection, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the great and awe-inspiring Lord, and fight for your countrymen, your sons and daughters, your wives and homes."

15 When our enemies realized that we knew their scheme and that God had frustrated it, every one of us returned to his own work on the wall.

16 From that day on, half of my men did the work while the other half held spears, shields, bows, and armor. The officers supported all the people of Judah,

17 who were rebuilding the wall. The laborers who carried the loads worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other.