Nehemiah 4:17

17 They who built on the wall, and they that bore burdens, with those that laded, [every one] with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other [hand] held a weapon.

Nehemiah 4:17 Meaning and Commentary

Ver. 17 They which builded on the wall
That laid the mortar and stones upon it, and timber where it was necessary:

and they that bore burdens;
that carried the mortar, stones, and timber to the builders, and served them:

with those that laded;
which prepared the above for them, and laid them on their shoulders:

everyone with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other
hand held a weapon;
which is not to be understood strictly and literally, for without both hands they could not well perform either of the above works; but proverbially, signifying that they were intent on both working and fighting, and were ready and prepared to do the latter, as well as the former, having weapons lying by them, or girt about them, as is explained in the following verse.

Nehemiah 4:17 In-Context

15 And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and God had brought their counsel to naught, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one to his work.

16 And it came to pass, from that time forth, [that] the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers [were] behind all the house of Judah.

17 They who built on the wall, and they that bore burdens, with those that laded, [every one] with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other [hand] held a weapon.

18 For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and [so] built. And he that sounded the trumpet [was] by me.

19 And I said to the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work [is] great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another.