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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Nehemiah 4:7-15

We have here, I. The conspiracy which the Jews? enemies formed against them, to stay the building by slaying the builders. The conspirators were not only Sanballat and Tobiah, but other neighbouring people whom they had drawn into the plot. They flattered themselves with a fancy that the work would soon stand still of itself; but, when they heard that it went on a prospered, they were angry at the Jews for being so hasty to push the work forward and angry at themselves for being so slow in... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Nehemiah 4:16-23

When the builders had so far reason to think the design of the enemies broken as to return to their work, yet they were not so secure as to lay down their arms, knowing how restless and unwearied they were in their attempts, and that, if one design failed, they would be hatching another. Thus must we watch always against our spiritual enemies, and not expect that our warfare will be accomplished till our work is. See what course Nehemiah took, that the people might hold themselves in a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 4:10

And Judah said ,.... Several of the men of Judah: the strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed ; through much labour, in carrying heavy loads of stone and timber to the builders, and yet more through fear of the enemy: and there is much rubbish ; which ought to be removed, but that the labourers were so weak that they could not do it: so that we are not able to build the wall ; to finish it before the enemy comes to attack us. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 4:11

And our adversaries said, they shall not know ,.... Our designs upon them: neither see ; or perceive what we are about to do: till we come in the midst of them ; with an army suddenly, at an unawares, and unexpected: and slay them ; they being unarmed, and not prepared to defend themselves: and cause the work to cease ; as it must in course, the builders being slain. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 4:12

Near Samaria, Arabia, and Ashdod, and had intelligence of their designs: came, they said to us ten times ; that is, they came to them at Jerusalem, and often told them, as this phrase "ten times" signifies; see Gill on Genesis 31:7 , from all places whence ye shall return unto us : they will be upon you, come which way you will, so that ye are in the utmost danger: or "from all places"; where you are repairing and rebuilding: return to us ; that ye may enjoy peace and prosperity... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible 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 . 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 4:14

And I looked ,.... Took a view of the people, and observed that they were in their proper place, and sufficiently armed, and also whether the enemy was coming: and rose up and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people ; who were under their nobles and rulers, as their captains and commanders: be not ye afraid of them ; of their enemies, their numbers, and their threats: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible ; who is greater than they, and is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 4:15

And it came to pass, when our enemies heard it was known unto us ,.... What they intended, as might be reported to them from the preparations made by the Jews to receive them, and defend themselves: and God had brought their counsel to naught ; which was to come upon them secretly and unawares; but being discovered, they dropped their design, and their scheme came to nothing: so that we returned all of us to the wall, every man to his work ; to that part of it where he wrought, in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 4:17

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... read more

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