Nehemiah 4:12

12 The Jews who were their neighbors kept reporting, "They have us surrounded; they're going to attack!" If we heard it once, we heard it ten times.

Nehemiah 4:12 Meaning and Commentary

Ver. 12 And it came to pass, when the Jews that dwelt by them
Near Samaria, Arabia, and Ashdod, and had intelligence of their designs:

came, they said to us ten times;
that is, they came to them at Jerusalem, and often told them, as this phrase "ten times" signifies, (See Gill on Genesis 31:7),

from all places whence ye shall return unto us:
they will be upon you, come which way you will, so that ye are in the utmost danger: or "from all places"; where you are repairing and rebuilding:

return to us;
that ye may enjoy peace and prosperity with us under Sanballat and escape the wrath and fury you are now exposed to; or "from all places we come, that ye may return to us"; so De Dieu; these Jews, though they pretended to be friends, to their brethren, yet seemed to be in friendship with their enemies, and sought to discourage them, and weaken their minds, and cause them to cease building.

Nehemiah 4:12 In-Context

10 But soon word was going around in Judah, The builders are pooped, the rubbish piles up; We're in over our heads, we can't build this wall.

11 And all this time our enemies were saying, "They won't know what hit them. Before they know it we'll be at their throats, killing them right and left. That will put a stop to the work!"

12 The Jews who were their neighbors kept reporting, "They have us surrounded; they're going to attack!" If we heard it once, we heard it ten times.

13 So I stationed armed guards at the most vulnerable places of the wall and assigned people by families with their swords, lances, and bows.

14 After looking things over I stood up and spoke to the nobles, officials, and everyone else: "Don't be afraid of them. Put your minds on the Master, great and awesome, and then fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes."