Nehemiah 4:16-21

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 4:16

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 4:18

For the builders had everyone his sword girded by his side, and so builded ,.... Thus accoutred he wrought, and was prepared for either service: and he that sounded the trumpet was by me ; to give the alarm of war, that everyone might lay aside his work, and prepare for the battle: this officer stood by Nehemiah, that when he found it necessary, might give him orders to sound his trumpet, for the men to gather to him. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 4:19

And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people ,.... See Gill on Nehemiah 4:14 , the work is great and large ; the building of the wall all around the city of Jerusalem: and we are separated upon the wall one far from another ; some at work on one part of it, and some at another, so that the distance between one another, at least in the further part, was very considerable. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 4:20

In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet ,.... Be it what part of the wall soever they were at work, even the most distant: resort ye thither to us ; to Nehemiah, and the half of his servants armed, where the trumpet was blown; that was to be the place of rendezvous: our God shall fight for us ; and give us victory over our enemies; none have any reason to be intimidated, when they shall hear the sound of the trumpet. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 4:21

So we laboured in the work ,.... Of building the wall: and half of them held the spears; and other weapons before mentioned, Nehemiah 4:16 from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared ; that is, from morning to evening, the space of time the builders and labourers worked. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 4:16

Half - wrought in the work - This is no unusual thing, even in the present day, in Palestine: people sowing their seed are often attended by an armed man, to prevent the Arabs from robbing them of their seed, which they will not fail to do if not protected. Habergeons - In the Franco-Gallic, hautbergon signifies a coat of mail; but as in Teutonic hais signifies the neck, and bergen , to cover or defend; it may be considered rather as signifying a breastplate, or armor for... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 4:17

With one of his hands wrought in the work , and with the other hand held a weapon - That is, he had his arms at hand, and was as fully prepared to fight as to work. So Ovid, Epist. xi., Canace Macario, ver. 1: - Si qua tamen caecis errabunt scripta lituris, Oblitus a dominae caede libellus erit: Dextra tenet calamum; strictum tenet altera ferrum: Et jacet in gremio charta soluta meo read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 4:20

Ye hear the sound of the trumpet - As the walls were very extensive, and the workmen consequently much scattered, their enemies might easily attack and destroy them successively, he therefore ordered them all to work as near to each other as they could; and himself, who was everywhere surveying the work, kept a trumpeter always with him, who was to sound when the enemy approached; and all were instantly to run to the place where they heard the sound. read more

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