Nehemiah 4:17

Nehemiah 4:17 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon.
• New International Version (NIV)who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other,
• English Standard Version (ESV)who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Those who built on the wall, and those who carried burdens, loaded themselves so that with one hand they worked at construction, and with the other held a weapon.

Context of Nehemiah 4:17

15Now when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had frustrated their plan, then all of us returned to the wall, each one to his work. 16And from that day on, half of my servants carried on the work while half of them kept hold of the spears, the shields, the bows, and the coats of mail; and the captains were behind all the house of Judah. Those who were rebuilding the wall and those who carried burdens carried with one hand doing the work, and the other keeping hold of a weapon. 18As for the builders, each wore his sword strapped to his waist as he built, while the trumpeter stood near me. 19And I said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, “The work is great and extensive, and we are separated on the wall far from one another.

Nehemiah 4:17 word by word

הַבּוֹנִ֧ים בַּחוֹמָ֛ה וְהַנֹּשְׂאִ֥ים בַּסֶּ֖בֶל עֹמְשִׂ֑ים בְּאַחַ֤ת יָדוֹ֙ עֹשֶׂ֣ה בַמְּלָאכָ֔ה וְאַחַ֖ת מַחֲזֶ֥קֶת הַשָּֽׁלַח׃Read the interlinear

• Those who were rebuildingבָּנָהbânâh · to buildH1129
• the wallחוֹמָהchômâh · wallH2346
• and those who carriedנָשָׂאnâώâ' nâsâh · to lift: bearH5375
• burdensסֵ֫בֶלsêbel · burdenH5447
• carriedעָמַס‛âmas ‛âmaώ · loadH6006
• with oneאֶחָד'echâd · oneH259
• handיָדyâd · handH3027
• doingעָשָׂה‛âώâh · to make: doH6213
• the workמְלָאכָהmelâ'kâh · workH4399
• keeping holdחָזַקchâzaq · to strengthen: holdH2388
• of a weaponשֶׁ֫לַחshelach · missileH7973

Cross-references for Nehemiah 4:17

• Nehemiah 4:10And so in Judah it was said: “The strength of the burden bearers is failing, Yet there is much rubble; And we ourselves are unable To rebuild the wall.”
• Daniel 9:25So you are to know and understand that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, until Messiah the Prince, there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; it will be built again, with streets and moat, even in times of distress.
• 1 Corinthians 9:12If others share the right over you, do we not more? Nevertheless, we did not use this right, but we endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ.
• 1 Corinthians 16:9for a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
• 2 Corinthians 6:7in the word of truth, and in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left,
• Ephesians 6:11Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
• Philippians 1:28and in no way alarmed by your opponents--which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and this too, from God.
• 2 Timothy 2:3Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
• 2 Timothy 4:7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;

Commentaries on Nehemiah 4:17

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17With 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. If streaming blood my fatal letter stain, Imagine, ere you read, the…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 16-23Verses 16-23 We must watch always against spiritual enemies, and not expect that our warfare will be over till our work is ended. The word of God is the sword of the Spirit, which we ought to have always at hand, and never to have to seek for it, either in our labours, or in our conflicts, as Christians. Every true Christian is both a labourer and a soldier, working with one hand, and fighting with the other. Good work is likely to go on with success…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 7-237-21. But ... when Sanballat ... heard that the walls ... were made up, and ... the breaches ... stopped--The rapid progress of the fortifications, despite all their predictions to the contrary, goaded the Samaritans to frenzy. So they, dreading danger from the growing greatness of the Jews, formed a conspiracy to surprise them, demolish their works, and disperse or intimidate the builders. The plot being discovered, Nehemiah adopted the most energetic…Read the comment

Topics related to Nehemiah 4:17

• Prudence

In the dictionaries

• Armour
• Ammon; Ammonites
• Burden
• Esdras, the First Book of
• Jerusalem
• Arms, Armor

Commentaries on Nehemiah 4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings