Nehemiah 4:11

11 Our enemies thought we would not see them or know what was happening until they were already upon us, killing us and putting an end to our work.

Nehemiah 4:11 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 4:11

And our adversaries said, they shall not know
Our designs upon them:

neither see;
or perceive what we are about to do:

till we come in the midst of them;
with an army suddenly, at an unawares, and unexpected:

and slay them;
they being unarmed, and not prepared to defend themselves:

and cause the work to cease;
as it must in course, the builders being slain.

Nehemiah 4:11 In-Context

9 but we prayed to our God and kept men on guard against them day and night.

10 The people of Judah had a song they sang: "We grow weak carrying burdens; There's so much rubble to take away. How can we build the wall today?"

11 Our enemies thought we would not see them or know what was happening until they were already upon us, killing us and putting an end to our work.

12 But time after time Jews who were living among our enemies came to warn us of the plans our enemies were making against us.

13 So I armed the people with swords, spears, and bows, and stationed them by clans behind the wall, wherever it was still unfinished.