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.