Nehemiah 6:16

16 All of our enemies heard about it. All of the nations that were around us became afraid. They weren't sure of themselves anymore. They realized that our God had helped us finish the work.

Nehemiah 6:16 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 6:16

And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof,
&c.] That the wall was finished:

and all the Heathen that were about us saw these things;
the neighbouring nations, who not only heard with their ears, but saw with their eyes what was done:

they were much cast down in their own eyes;
through shame and confusion, because of their own scoffs and jeers; through grief and vexation at the unexpected success of the Jews, and through the fear of them that was fallen upon them, as Jarchi notes:

for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God;
his special providence and blessing attending it, as appeared by its being so soon effected.

Nehemiah 6:16 In-Context

14 You are my God. Remember what Tobiah and Sanballat have done. Also remember the prophet Noadiah. She and the rest of the prophets have been trying to scare me.

15 So the city wall was completed on the 25th day of the month of Elul. It was finished in 52 days.

16 All of our enemies heard about it. All of the nations that were around us became afraid. They weren't sure of themselves anymore. They realized that our God had helped us finish the work.

17 In those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah. And replies from Tobiah came back to them.

18 Many people in Judah had taken an oath that they would be faithful to him. That's because he was Shecaniah's son-in-law. Shecaniah was the son of Arah. Tobiah's son Jehohanan had married Meshullam's daughter. Meshullam was the son of Berekiah.