10 And Judah H3063 said, H559 The strength H3581 of the bearers of burdens H5449 is decayed, H3782 and there is much H7235 rubbish; H6083 so that we are not able H3201 to build H1129 the wall. H2346
But the men H582 that went up H5927 with him said, H559 We be not able H3201 to go up H5927 against the people; H5971 for they are stronger H2389 than we.
For when they went up H5927 unto the valley H5158 of Eshcol, H812 and saw H7200 the land, H776 they discouraged H5106 the heart H3820 of the children H1121 of Israel, H3478 that they should not go H935 into the land H776 which the LORD H3068 had given H5414 them.
And he set H6213 threescore and ten H7657 thousand H505 of them to be bearers of burdens, H5449 and fourscore H8084 thousand H505 to be hewers H2672 in the mountain, H2022 and three H7969 thousand H505 and six H8337 hundred H3967 overseers H5329 to set H5647 the people H5971 a work. H5647
[[To the chief Musician, H5329 A Psalm of David.]] H1732 In the LORD H3068 put I my trust: H2620 how say H559 ye to my soul, H5315 Flee H5110 as a bird H6833 to your mountain? H2022 For, lo, the wicked H7563 bend H1869 their bow, H7198 they make ready H3559 their arrow H2671 upon the string, H3499 that they may privily H652 H1119 shoot H3384 at the upright H3477 in heart. H3820
Son H1121 of man, H120 Nebuchadrezzar H5019 king H4428 of Babylon H894 caused H5647 his army H2428 to serve H5647 a great H1419 service H5656 against Tyrus: H6865 every head H7218 was made bald, H7139 and every shoulder H3802 was peeled: H4803 yet had he no wages, H7939 nor his army, H2428 for Tyrus, H6865 for the service H5656 that he had served H5647 against it:
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Nehemiah 4
Commentary on Nehemiah 4 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 4
We left all hands at work for the building of the wall about Jerusalem. But such good work is not wont to be carried on without opposition; now here we are told what opposition was given to it, and what methods Nehemiah took to forward the work, notwithstanding that opposition.
In all this Nehemiah approved himself a man of great wisdom and courage, as well as great piety.
Neh 4:1-6
Here is,
Neh 4:7-15
We have here,
Neh 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 readiness, in case there should be an attack.