So built we the wall ,.... Went on in building it, notwithstanding their scoffs and threats: and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof ; it was carried all round the city to half the height of it: for the people had a mind to work ; their heart was in it, they had a good will to it, and they made haste to finish it. read more
For the people had a mind to work - The original is very emphatic: לעשות לעם לב ויהי vayehi leb leam laasoth , "For the people had a heart to work." Their hearts were engaged in it; and where the heart is engaged, the work of God goes on well. The whole of this 6th verse is omitted by the Septuagint. read more
Ridicule of a good work. Sanballat and his friends had at first thought it impossible that Nehemiah would attempt to repair and restore the wall of Jerusalem, But when they found that the work was actually begun, and making good progress, their anger was equalled only by their astonishment, and they gave vent to their wrath in scoffs and ridicule. Happily they seem to have been so misled by their contempt for the feebleness of the Jews as to have deemed it impossible that they could really... read more
Derision and devotion. Not the first nor the last instance was this one here recorded of— I. DEVOTION ASSAILED BY DERISION ( Nehemiah 4:1-3 ). Sanballat and Tobiah were contemptuously angry when they heard that the Jews had actually begun to build: they "took great indignation, and mocked the Jews" ( Nehemiah 4:1 ). "What do these feeble Jews?" said Sanballat ( Nehemiah 4:2 ). "If a fox go up, he shall break down their stone wall," said Tobiah ( Nehemiah 4:3 ), using... read more
The work and warfare of the Church. I. The weak of the Church. 1. Derided. "And mocked the Jews" ( Nehemiah 4:1 ). 2. Under-estimated. "These feeble Jews" ( Nehemiah 4:2 ). 3. Misrepresented. "If a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall" ( Nehemiah 4:3 ). 4. Prayerful. "Hear, O our God" ( Nehemiah 4:4 ). 5. Hearty. "For the people had a mind to work" ( Nehemiah 4:6 ). 6. Advancing. "Heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that... read more
This description of the building of the wall of Jerusalem may be taken as representing the life of the Church militant. The chief points are these:— I. THE SPIRIT which pervades and actuates it. "The people had a mind to work." Activity, self-denial, fellowship, and fortitude. II. THE METHOD . Division and distribution of the work. Builders, fighters, burden-bearers. Some in command, others waiting upon their word. A place for every one in which to work, and every one keeping... read more
So built we the wall . Rather, "and we (still) built the wall" Insults and gibes had no effect on us—did not touch us. Despite of them we steadily kept on our building, and the result was that soon all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof —the whole continuous line of wall was completed to half the contemplated height. For the people had a mind to work . Literally, "there was a heart to the people to work." They wrought, as we should say, "with a will"—they had their heart... read more
A mind to work. "The people had a mind to work." In our age the calls and opportunities for Christian work are numerous and urgent. The prevalence of "a mind to work" is therefore of great importance; its existence throughout any Christian community is matter for thankfulness, when at least it springs from Christian principle, and is directed wisely to valuable ends. I. WHENCE A TRULY CHRISTIAN " MIND TO WORK " SPRINGS . 1. Sense of necessity. Perception of evils... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Nehemiah 4:1-6
Here is, I. The spiteful scornful reflection which Sanballat and Tobiah cast upon the Jews for their attempt to build the wall about Jerusalem. The country rang of it presently; intelligence was brought of it to Samaria, that nest of enemies to the Jews and their prosperity; and here we are told how they received the tidings. 1. In heart. They were very angry at the undertaking, and had great indignation, Neh. 4:1. It vexed them that Nehemiah came to seek the welfare of the children of Israel... read more