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Matthew Henry

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

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 4:6

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 4:7

And it came to pass that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians ,.... Who were under and influenced by Geshem the Arabian: and the Ammonites ; over whom Tobiah was governor: and the Ashdodites ; who were of Ashdod or Azotus, one of the principalities of the Philistines, who were always enemies to the Jews: heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up ; or "the length of them went up" F4 עלתה ארוכה "ascendisset longitudo", Montanus; so Coeceius in rad. ארך . ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 4:8

And conspired all of them together ,.... All the above men and people entered into a confederacy and combination: to come and to fight against Jerusalem ; to bring an army with them, and by force cause the Jews to desist; the Jews F5 Pirke Eliezer, c. 38. pretend they came to war, and brought with them an army of 180,000 men, which is not probable: and to hinder it ; the building of the walls of it; or "to make a wandering for him" F6 לעשות לו תועה "ad faciendum ei... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 4:9

Nevertheless, we made our prayer unto our God ,.... Spread their case before him in prayer, entreating direction and help from him: and set a watch against them day and night, because of them ; to give notice of their approach, that they might prepare to defend themselves; though they prayed to God, and trusted in him for deliverance, they did not neglect the use of means. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 4:6

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 4:7

The walls of Jerusalem were made up - That is, they were made up to the half height of the wall; for the preceding verse seems to intimate that the whole wall was thus far built; not half of the wall completed, but the whole wall built to half its height. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 4:9

We made our prayer unto our God , and set a watch - The strongest confidence in the protection and favor of God does not preclude the use of all or any of the means of self-preservation and defense which his providence has put in our power. While God works in us to will and to do, we should proceed to willing, through the power he has given us to will; and we should proceed to action, through the power he has given us to act. We cannot will, but through God's power; we... read more

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