Nehemiah 4:19
Nehemiah 4:19 in Multiple Translations
Then I said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people: “The work is great and extensive, and we are spread out far from one another along the wall.
¶ And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another.
And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another:
And I said to the great ones and the chiefs and the rest of the people, The work is great and widely spaced and we are far away from one another on the wall:
Then I told the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people: “We have a lot to do everywhere, so we're very spread out along the wall.
Then saide I vnto the Princes, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The worke is great and large, and we are separated vpon the wall, one farre from another.
And I say unto the freemen, and unto the prefects, and unto the rest of the people, 'The work is abundant, and large, and we are separated on the wall, far off one from another;
I said to the nobles, and to the rulers and to the rest of the people, “The work is great and widely spread out, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another.
And I said to the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another.
And I said to the nobles, and to the magistrates, and to the rest of the common people: The work is great and wide, and we are separated on the wall one far from another:
Then I said to the officials, the other important men, and the other people, “This wall is very long, and we are far apart from each other along the wall.
Study Notes — Nehemiah 4:19
Context — Discouragement Overcome
19Then I said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people: “The work is great and extensive, and we are spread out far from one another along the wall.
20Wherever you hear the sound of the horn, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us!” 21So we continued the work, while half of the men held spears from the break of dawn until the stars came out.Nehemiah 4:19 Summary
[Nehemiah 4:19 tells us that Nehemiah was aware of the big job of rebuilding the wall and how the people were spread out, making them vulnerable to attack. He knew they needed to work together and trust in God's protection, just like we do when we face big challenges in our lives (Psalm 23:4). Nehemiah's situation teaches us to trust in God's presence and provision, even when things seem overwhelming (Deuteronomy 31:6). By prioritizing our tasks and focusing on the most important things, we can, like Nehemiah, demonstrate leadership and care for those around us.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the main concern Nehemiah was addressing in Nehemiah 4:19?
Nehemiah was concerned about the great and extensive work of rebuilding the wall, and how the people were spread out, making them vulnerable to attack, as seen in Nehemiah 4:19. This concern is similar to the concerns expressed in Exodus 18:18, where Moses was overwhelmed by the workload and needed help from others.
How does Nehemiah's situation relate to our lives today?
Just like Nehemiah, we often face large tasks or challenges that seem overwhelming, and we may feel spread out or isolated, but we can trust in God's presence and provision, as promised in Deuteronomy 31:6 and Matthew 28:20.
What can we learn from Nehemiah's leadership in this verse?
Nehemiah's leadership in Nehemiah 4:19 shows that he was aware of the people's limitations and vulnerabilities, and he took steps to address them, demonstrating a key principle of leadership found in 1 Peter 5:2-3, where leaders are called to care for and protect those under their charge.
How does this verse fit into the larger narrative of Nehemiah's story?
This verse is part of the larger story of Nehemiah's efforts to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, as recorded in the book of Nehemiah, and it shows how Nehemiah faced opposition and challenges, but trusted in God and persevered, as seen in Nehemiah 1:3 and Nehemiah 6:15-16.
Reflection Questions
- What are the 'great and extensive' tasks in my life that feel overwhelming, and how can I trust in God's presence and provision to help me complete them?
- In what ways do I feel 'spread out' or isolated in my walk with God, and how can I reach out to others for support and community?
- How can I, like Nehemiah, demonstrate leadership and care for those around me, especially in times of challenge or vulnerability?
- What are some ways I can prioritize my tasks and focus on the most important things, just as Nehemiah prioritized the rebuilding of the wall and the safety of the people?