Nehemiah 6:16

16 It happened, when all our enemies heard [of it], that all the nations that were about us feared, and were much cast down in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was worked of our God.

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 Remember, my God, Toviyah and Sanvallat according to these their works, and also the prophetess No`adyah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear.

15 So the wall was finished in the twenty-fifth [day] of [the month] Elul, in fifty-two days.

16 It happened, when all our enemies heard [of it], that all the nations that were about us feared, and were much cast down in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was worked of our God.

17 Moreover in those days the nobles of Yehudah sent many letters to Toviyah, and [the letters] of Toviyah came to them.

18 For there were many in Yehudah sworn to him, because he was the son-in-law of Shekhanyahu the son of Arach; and his son Yehochanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berekhyah as wife.