Nehemiah 4:16-23

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.
18 Each of the builders had his sword strapped around his waist while he was building, and the trumpeter was beside me.
19 Then I said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people: "The work is enormous and spread out, and we are separated far from one another along the wall.
20 Wherever you hear the trumpet sound, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us!"
21 So we continued the work, while half of the men were holding spears from daybreak until the stars came out.
22 At that time, I also said to the people, "Let everyone and his servant spend the night inside Jerusalem, so that they can stand guard by night and work by day."
23 And I, my brothers,[a] my men, and the guards with me never took off our clothes. Each carried his weapon, even when washing.[b]

Nehemiah 4:16-23 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO NEHEMIAH 4

This chapter relates, how the Jews, while building, were mocked by their enemies, to which no answer was returned but by prayer to God, and they went on notwithstanding in their work, Ne 4:1-6 and how that their enemies conspired against them, to hinder them by force of arms, Ne 4:7-12 to oppose which, both spiritual and temporal weapons were made use of, so that the work was still carried on, Ne 4:13-23.

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Neh 1:2
  • [b]. Lit Each his weapon the water; Hb obscure
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