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Nehemiah 4

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 4 of 13

1 ¶ And it happened, when Sanballat heard that we built the wall even it was angering to him and greatly enraging. and he mocked at the Jews.

2 And he spoke before his brothers and the army of Samaria and said, What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they fortify themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they make an end in a day? Will they bring to life the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?

3 And Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox goes up, he will even break down their stone wall.

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Chapter Summary

1 While the enemies scoff, Nehemiah prays and continues the work. 7 He sets a watch. 13 He arms the laborers, 19 gives military precepts.

Key Hebrew Words

בְּגָדֵ֑י treachery H899 · TWOT 198a
יְהוּדָ֗ה Judah H3063 · TWOT 850c
יֶ֣תֶר cord H3499 · TWOT 936b
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֔ם Jerusalem H3389 · TWOT 912
ק֣וֹל lightness H6963 · TWOT 2028b

People & Context

Mockery from Sanballat and Tobiah

Sanballat and Tobiah angrily mock the builders. Nehemiah prays for God to turn their curses back upon them, and the wall reaches half its height.

The Conspiracy to Attack

Sanballat, Tobiah, and nearby nations conspire to attack Jerusalem. The Jews pray and set up watches day and night.

Internal Discouragement and External Threats

The laborers complain of exhaustion and rubbish. Meanwhile, Jews living near the enemies report multiple warnings of an impending surprise attack.

Timeline

Mockery from Sanballat and Tobiah

Sanballat and Tobiah angrily mock the builders. Nehemiah prays for God to turn their curses back upon them, and the wall reaches half its height.

Nehemiah 4:1-6
The Conspiracy to Attack

Sanballat, Tobiah, and nearby nations conspire to attack Jerusalem. The Jews pray and set up watches day and night.

Nehemiah 4:7-9
Internal Discouragement and External Threats

The laborers complain of exhaustion and rubbish. Meanwhile, Jews living near the enemies report multiple warnings of an impending surprise attack.

Nehemiah 4:10-12

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