Nehemiah 4:16
16
From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah
Read Nehemiah 4:16 Using Other Translations
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.
From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah,
But from then on, only half my men worked while the other half stood guard with spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. The leaders stationed themselves behind the people of Judah
What does Nehemiah 4:16 mean?
John Gill's Exposition of the Bible
Nehemiah 4:16
And it came to pass from that time forth
That they were thus alarmed of danger from their enemies:
that the half of my servants wrought in the
work;
of building the wall; his domestic servants, his guards, or
mighty men, as Jarchi, men of war, the soldiers:
and the other half of them held both the spears, the
shields, and the
bows;
some offensive, others defensive weapons; some to fight with at a
distance, others near at hand:
and the habergeons;
coats of mail, which they took and clothed themselves with:
and the rulers were behind all the house of
Judah;
the Jews that were working at the wall, to animate and encourage
them, protect and defend them.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
(New International Version Bible Online)
