Nehemiah 4:13

13 So I put people behind the lowest places along the wall -- the open places -- and I put families together with their swords, spears, and bows.

Nehemiah 4:13 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 4:13

Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall
Where the wall was lowest, and the enemy could more easily break it down, or get over it:

and on the higher places;
where the wall was higher; or rather on the towers upon the walls, as the word signifies the tops of rocks, which are dry and smooth, see ( Ezekiel 24:2 Ezekiel 24:8 ) .

I even set the people after their families;
according to their rank, number, strength, and valour:

with their swords, their spears, and their bows;
with weapons they could use both near, and at a distance.

Nehemiah 4:13 In-Context

11 And our enemies said, "The Jews won't know or see anything until we come among them and kill them and stop the work."

12 Then the Jewish people who lived near our enemies came and told us ten times, "Everywhere you turn, the enemy will attack us."

13 So I put people behind the lowest places along the wall -- the open places -- and I put families together with their swords, spears, and bows.

14 Then I looked around and stood up and said to the important men, the leaders, and the rest of the people: "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and powerful. Fight for your brothers, your sons and daughters, your wives, and your homes."

15 Then our enemies heard that we knew about their plans and that God had ruined their plans. So we all went back to the wall, each to his own work.